TORONTO, April 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The University of the West Indies (UWI) raised approximately $300,000 at its second annual benefit gala in Toronto on March 26th. The gala honoured notable individuals who have made significant contributions to UWI and the Caribbean and Canadian communities.  Outstanding individuals who were honoured include: Donovan Bailey; Michael Lee-Chin; The Right Honourable Michaelle Jean; The Honourable Justice Dr. Irving Andre;  Former Deputy Chief of Toronto police Keith L. Forde; Kamala-Jean Gopie; Dr. Karl Massiah and Dr. John Stewart.  Two organizations were also honoured including Ryerson University for its contribution to the advancement of Caribbean people through its joint programs with UWI, and GAP Adventures for its role in pushing the boundaries of sustainable travel.

The benefit was under the patronage of Dr. G. Raymond Chang, immediate past Chair of CI Financial, Chancellor of Ryerson University and himself, an honorary graduate of UWI.  Proceeds from the Toronto gala will benefit students through the UWI Scholarship Fund and the UWI Haitian Initiative.

"The University is once again touched by the outpouring of support it received from the Canadian private and public sectors and the Caribbean Canadian community," said Elizabeth Buchanan-Hind, Executive Director, Institutional Advancement Division, The University of the West Indies.  "We are thankful for the scholarships that the University will now be able to award to students from the proceeds of the event."

Masters of Ceremonies Hamlin Grange and Valerie Pringle welcomed over 500 guests to a sold out event at the Four Seasons Hotel for an evening of celebrating excellence; connecting and reconnecting; music and live and silent auctions.  The gala was filled with contagious spirit and overwhelming generosity.

"Through this gala we are all now united as one UWI family," stated Gala Patron, Dr. G. Raymond Chang.

Find additional gala details at www.uwitorontogala.com.

UWI would like to thank its sponsors, donors, volunteers and guests for making the UWI Benefit Gala Toronto 2011 a huge success. 

About The University of the West Indies Benefit Gala, Toronto

Building off the success of its inaugural benefit gala last year, and with such a strong Caribbean community in Canada, UWI is striving to develop a successful event that will continue to strengthen the relationship between Canada and the Caribbean for years to come.

The 2010 benefit gala was sold out with 460 attendees.  Approximately $230,000 was raised, resulting in 17 scholarships being awarded to students in need, and helping to support Haitian students whose university was devastated after the earthquake.  

Those honoured at the inaugural event included: Dr. the Honourable Harry Belafonte, The Honourable Mayann E. Francis, The Honourable Jean Augustine, Professor Dionne Brand, Mr. Austin Clarke, Ms. Maud Fuller, Dr. Herbert Ho Ping Kong, Dr. Robert Moore, Mr. David Rudder, Project Advancement Childhood Education (P.A.C.E), Royal Bank of Canada and Scotiabank.

About The University of the West Indies Scholarship Fund and Haitian Initiative

The UWI Regional Endowment Fund (UWIREF) scholarships and bursaries are offered to outstanding students in the Caribbean region who have difficulty financing their university education. The scholarships and bursaries are based on academic excellence and financial need. The University of the West Indies has accepted numerous Haitian students to complete their degrees at the Mona Campus in Jamaica and St. Augustine Campus in Trinidad and Tobago.

About The University of the West Indies

The University of the West Indies (UWI) was established in 1948 as a college of the University of London.  It achieved full university status in 1962 and today, is the only pan-Caribbean tertiary level institution offering a wide array of diverse and accredited programs to 40,000 students throughout the region, with campuses in Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica and the Eastern Caribbean.

For media and photo inquiries contact: Leah Gaucher, BlueSky Communications, lgaucher@blueskycommunications.com, 416.929.2052

SOURCE University of West Indies Benefit Gala