Office
of the Pro Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Open Campus. Thursday, July
23, 2020—The
University of the West Indies (The UWI) Open Campus joins the nation
of Antigua and Barbuda in mourning the passing of Dame Edris Bird.

Dame
Edris, an educator par excellence, was the Resident Tutor for The UWI
Open Campus in Antigua and Barbuda, then known as the Department of
Extra-Mural Studies and later, the School of Continuing Studies. She
was a stalwart leader in education and a symbol of selfless humanity.
She served at the University from 1965 to 1990.

Dame
Edris is counted among the very first graduates of the University
College of the West Indies, forerunner of The University of the West
Indies. She obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree from the Mona Campus
in Jamaica in the late 1940’s, returning a decade later to pursue
and complete a Bachelor of Education degree in 1956. She subsequently
read for her Master’s degree in Education from the University of
London in 1970 and for an EdD in Education from the University of
Toronto in 1974. Following her studies, she returned to Antigua and
Barbuda in 1979 and continued her journey in education. Before
working at The UWI, she taught English for several years at the
Antigua Grammar School.

Dame
Edris used her position as Resident Tutor to encourage anyone she
encountered to better themselves by continuing their studies
including stay-at-home-wives. She truly invested in building the
Caribbean region through the edification and enlightenment of its
people.

Dame
Edris was instrumental in introducing civil service employees to
local courses offered at The UWI, which enabled them to matriculate
at universities or colleges or to simply improve themselves and
qualify for better positions at their places of work. Her daughter
Dr. Jillia Bird described her as a fighter for education for all.
“She was a pioneer and she had a fighting spirit. She fought for
adversity,” Dr. Bird said. “Her spirit was indomitable; she
always put others before herself.”

Dame
Edris led the way for Early Childhood Education in Antigua and
Barbuda by working with her colleagues at The UWI to introduce the
course at a professional level. These efforts later saw the
establishment of training sessions at the Sir Luther Wynter
Preschool.

“She
had a great, pioneering spirit and she loved to see fellow Antiguans
and Barbudans improve themselves academically,” said Dr. Ermina
Osoba, who assumed the position of Resident Tutor after Dame Edris’
departure.

Through
Dame Edris’ years at The UWI School of Continuing Studies, she
collaborated and developed a close working relationship with the late
Professor the Hon. Ralston “Rex” Nettleford, OM; the former Vice-
Chancellor of The UWI and shared his love of the arts. As such, the
Harambee Open Air Theatre, one of the longest running and most
successful theatre groups in the country, found a home at what is now
The UWI Open Campus Antigua and still fondly called the “University
Centre.” “I remember our Summer dance and drama programmes. She
invited tutors such as Rex Nettleford. We never had an opportunity
like that before,” her daughter Dr. Jillia Bird recalled.

As
an educator, Dame Edris has left behind a legacy of professional
excellence and public service, seen especially through the
contributions of her children, past students and extended family. She
collaborated with her husband Mr. Oscar Bird on a book titled, A
Call to Service
which was published in 2002.

She
was conferred Dame Commander, The Most Distinguished Order of the
Nation, DCN, in 2019, for distinguished contributions in the field of
education and community service. Her affinity and loyalty to The UWI
saw her eagerly attending events organised by the institution for
many years. She attended open lectures and graciously contributed to
The UWI Alumni Association.

Dame
Edris died at age 91 on July 19, 2020. She is survived by her twin
daughters, Dr. Jillia Bird and Dr. Jacqueline Bird and her son Mr.
Clement Bird.

The
Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor, Pro-Vice Chancellors, staff, students
and alumni of The University of the West Indies extend heartfelt
condolences to the family and friends of Dame Edris. The University
community will be forever indebted to her for the sterling service
and loyalty that she dedicated to our regional institution. May her
soul rest in eternal peace.