This Spring semester we will be featuring two categories in our bi-annual creative contest: our traditional essay contest and a new media (or multimedia) creative contest. It is time to get creative; write an essay, shoot a video, write a poem, write a song. etc. express your experience based upon the book.

Deadline for the Spring: March 28th

Essay Guidelines:

Before you start this process, be familiar with themes from the UMBC Community Read.

• You can write a narrative essay or a researched essay.
• Written pieces can be anywhere from 3-10 pages in length.
• If you have questions regarding your essay, contact Professor Elaine MacDougall at efick1@umbc.edu.
• When complete, cut and paste your submission into the form below. Please proofread your entry and include citations as needed.

Multimedia/Creative Works guidelines:

For Video Projects:

For best consideration, videos should be 3-5 minutes long.

1. Your entry must be uploaded to YouTube or Vimeo (and link submitted via link below).
2. Name and Title must be visible prior to the presentation. Give additional credit (including music) at the end of the presentation.

For Other Creative Projects:

Depending on the type of creative works you are submitting, use the guidelines that best fit your submission. If it is a series of photographs or PowerPoint, you can upload your work to our VoiceThread page. If you elect to submit poetry or an essay that you feel takes a creative approach to the themes in the novel, We Speak For Ourselves, you might prefer to submit your entry through the steps outlined for essay submissions.
Examples of media accepted:

• Video
• Digital Story
• Photography
• Audio
  • Poetry
  • Music
• Web site
• Artwork
  • Painting
  • Sculpture
  • Graphic Design

Note: Both categories will have a first place winner.

Upload Submissions Here:

The University of the West Indies and University of Maryland, Baltimore County to collaborate on research and academic programs

St. John's, Antigua & Barbuda, and Baltimore County, MD, February 15, 2021 -- Officials from The University of the West Indies, Five Islands Campus (UWI FIC) and the University of
Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) have signed a memorandum of understanding to promote academic and research cooperation between the two universities. The agreement, signed in a virtual ceremony, is the first formal partnership between the two institutions.

Through this new collaboration, the two institutions will be working together to identify academic opportunities for students to benefit from research and study at their campuses. Additionally, UMBC's experience with grants, contracts, and technology transfer in computing will support the development of an Artificial Intelligence Research Institute at The UWI FIC.

Both The UWI FIC and UMBC prioritize international partnerships by facilitating global opportunities and international connections for faculty, students, and staff. Among UMBC's many partnerships are collaborations with Tel Aviv University in Israel, the University of Kassel in Germany, and the University of Porto in Portugal. The collaboration with UMBC is the second international partnership for The UWI FIC following the agreement with Harvard Business School in 2021.

"Partnering with the University of Maryland, Baltimore County to enhance our research and overall teaching and learning experience for our students and faculty is an important part of our broader vision of increasing access to high quality education within Antigua and Barbuda, and the wider Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) region," noted Principal of The UWI Five Islands Campus, Professor Densil A. Williams. "This collaboration will yield great benefits for members of our academic communities. The UWI FIC looks forward to a long and fruitful partnership over the coming years."

"I am inspired and energized by the signing of the MOU between UMBC and UWI FIC," said Professor Antonio Moreira, vice provost for academic affairs at UMBC. "Our two institutions share the same core values of providing strong support for the success of all our students and an unwavering commitment to inclusive excellence, equity, diversity, and social justice." He notes, "Faculty, students, and staff from our two universities will partner in educational programs and research projects that will result in graduates who will be prepared for the jobs of the future. We will also work together to develop innovative approaches to common challenges pertaining to both the Caribbean region and the State of Maryland. I look forward to a most successful partnership in the years ahead."

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About UWI

The University of the West Indies (The UWI) is the Caribbean's premier higher education institution. One of only two regional universities in the world, it comprises five campuses across the English-speaking Caribbean and 10 global centres in partnership with universities in North America, Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Europe. The UWI stands among the top 1.5% of universities globally, following Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2022. It is also the only Caribbean-based university to make the prestigious lists since its debut in the rankings in 2018. Read more at www.uwi.edu.

About UMBC

The University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) is a leading public research university (R1) known for innovative teaching, relevant research across disciplines, and a supportive
community that empowers and inspires inquisitive minds. UMBC serves 14,000 undergraduate and graduate students, and is one of the country's most inclusive education communities. U.S. News & World Report has named UMBC a national leader in both innovation and undergraduate teaching, and has recognized UMBC's graduate programs as among the nation's best. More than 130 companies are located at the bwtech@UMBC Research and Technology Park, which is also home to Maryland's first cyber incubator. Visit umbc.edu.

The Association of Public Land-Grant Universities (APLU) has honored UMBC with its 2021 Gold Award in Leadership and Pervasiveness for Internationalization. UMBC is the only North American university to receive this prestigious Gold Award. This honor affirms the collective, intentional work behind UMBC’s global engagement strategy. Read more.