UWI appoints new Director for the Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL)

The University of the West Indies (UWI) Global Campus has announced the appointment of Elia Grant-Fraser as the new Director of the Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL), effective August 1. With over a decade of service at UWI, including her recent role as Acting Director of CETL since 2023, Grant-Fraser brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of innovation in education. Her extensive career spans more than 30 years, during which she has held various senior positions in the Academic Programming and Delivery (APAD) Division, including Curriculum Development Specialist, Production Manager, and Head of the Online Programmes Delivery Department. One of her notable achievements includes leading the creation of a Multimedia Production Studio at the Global Campus in Trinidad, a project funded by Global Affairs Canada as part of the Strengthening Distance Education in the Caribbean (SDEC) initiative. This studio, housed in a repurposed 40-foot shipping container, has become a vital resource for the campus. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Grant-Fraser played a pivotal role in designing and delivering training courses for ministries in Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago, supporting adult education programs. Her academic journey includes a Master’s in Educational Technology from Concordia University and a Bachelor’s in Education from UWI St. Augustine. Currently pursuing a PhD, her research focuses on students’ cognitive presence in online courses. Pro Vice-Chancellor Dr. Francis O. Severin praised her appointment, highlighting her qualifications and dedication to advancing online and distance education. The UWI leadership expressed confidence in her ability to drive innovation and excellence in teaching and learning.