KINGSTON, Jamaica – May 27, 2026 – The University of the West Indies (The UWI) has announced the passing of one of its most dedicated regional leaders, Sir Aziz Hadeed, KCMG, CBE, who served as Chairman of The UWI Five Islands Campus Council. In an official statement released from The UWI Regional Headquarters on Wednesday, Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Hilary Beckles paid tribute to the legacy of the late campus governance leader.
Though Sir Aziz’s tenure at the helm of the Five Islands Campus Council covered only a few graduation cycles, his imprint on the institution’s presence in Antigua and Barbuda and across the wider Caribbean region will endure for decades. From the moment he assumed the chairmanship, he prioritized building robust operational frameworks that have allowed the campus’s governing body to carry out its core responsibilities with consistency and efficiency.
As the campus’s senior governance leader, Sir Aziz brought sharp, strategic focus to every decision and initiative the council undertook. Beyond his structural contributions, he leaves behind a legacy of dignified leadership that has shaped how the council approaches its work today.
Professor Beckles, alongside Pro Vice-Chancellor and Campus Principal Professor C. Justin Robinson, developed deep respect for Sir Aziz over the course of their collaboration, remembering him first as a devoted advocate for education who took immense joy from nurturing the academic growth of young Caribbean people. Beyond academia, those who worked with him admired his unwavering commitment to advancing social justice and his lifelong dedication to philanthropic work that lifted up vulnerable communities across the region.
Sir Aziz’s influence extended far beyond formal council meetings, leaving a profound mark on the broader institutional culture of The UWI. Every member of the university community had the opportunity to benefit from his sharp wisdom and warm friendship. His thoughtful perspective and calm, steadying presence will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
On behalf of the entire global UWI family, Vice-Chancellor Beckles extended heartfelt condolences to Sir Aziz’s loved ones, friends, and colleagues. The university community will come together in the coming days to honor his extraordinary life and the lasting contributions he made to higher education in the Caribbean. May his soul rest in eternal peace.