The future of island states and nations hinges on their ability to harness local resources and innovate in ways that promote sustainable development, economic diversification, and the health of its people. Universities, as centers of knowledge and research, play a pivotal role in this transformation.
On July 25-26, 2025, The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) in partnership with the University Design Institute (UDI) hosted a national convening in Washington, D.C., to bring together higher education leaders, policymakers, and experts from island nations and states. The focus of the event was to identify shared challenges of island nations and states in the areas of Economic Diversification, Energy, Blue Economy, and Healthcare Access and Outcomes and a set of recommendation for how higher education institutions in island contexts and drive economic and social impact across these sectors.
This report captures the highlights and key recommendations developed from the convening, with the goal of providing a framework for strategic discussions between university leaders and their island leaders, partners, and stakeholders on how they can work together to build resilient and sustainable island communities.
