Our Mission, Visions and Aims

VISION STATEMENT

“The United Theological College of the West Indies (UTCWI) as a Christian Institution is a centre of excellence for Caribbean Theological Education, debate and dialogue to provide prophetic and moral leadership to the people of the region, and to attract the best minds for teaching, research and outreach.”

MISSION STATEMENT

“The United Theological College of the West Indies (UTCWI) as a Christian Institution, seeks to provide Theological Education in a student-centred environment that promotes spiritual, emotional and social development, and prepares men and women for mission and service.”

AIMS

The aims of the programme of study and ministerial formation are:

  1. to promote a community of learning that is conducive to theological reflection and learning and the nurturing of persons for ministry as lay or ordained persons within the denominational traditions from which they come;
  2. to create a learning environment in which the pursuit of truth is undertaken with academic rigour, faith is related to reason, worship is related to study, and the integration of knowledge is promoted through interdisciplinary dialogue;
  3. to promote a community of living, learning and worship in which ecumenical engagement is fostered and narrow sectarianism is challenged;
  4. to create a community of learning which is informed by sensitivity to the Caribbean context within which the institution is located, so that this Caribbean reality is reflected in all areas of the institution’s life; and
  5. e) to develop close relations with the University of the West Indies and St. Michael’s Theological Centre as a vehicle for interdisciplinary and ecumenical dialogue in a context of academic rigour and excellence.

OBJECTIVES

The intended learning and formation outcomes are that students will:

  1. ask questions and develop a sense of curiosity in the learning process;
  2. develop skills necessary for theological enquiry in an ecumenical and gender sensitive environment and the organisation and integration of such learning into a framework of meaning;
  3. enter into a process of integration of new knowledge, experience and faith in a manner that facilitates personal faith development and the exercise of ministry in the world;
  4. be encouraged to develop the necessary skills, values and attitudes which are prerequisites for ministry formation and practice;
  5. be offered a range of courses which allow them to satisfy their unique needs and interests, while at the same time satisfying core requirements for certification;
  6. build a foundation for lifelong spiritual, professional and academic development; and
  7. g) grow in the necessary confidence and skills to become effective leaders in the church and society.

THE MISSION OF UTCWI IN RELATION TO UWI

UTCWI understands itself, along with St. Michael’s, to be the theology department within UWI. Since UWI has no department of religious studies, UTC and St. Michael’s as the affiliated theological schools are essential to the mission of UWI. No university can claim to “unlock West Indian potential for economic and cultural growth” without taking adequate account of religion, which is so central to the peoples of the Caribbean region. The Mona theological schools provide high quality teaching and research in the areas of religion and Christian theology. UTCWI has a regional reach in its teaching faculty and student body. UTCWI and St. Michael’s are also closely associated with other regional and worldwide centres for theological and religious study.