UWI valedictorian applauds credit facilities

Credit facilities, organizations and institutions like the disadvantaged student loan programme and the Mustique Charitable Trust (MCT), which provide scholarships and bursaries to students, should be applauded.

So said Nick Francis, while delivering the valedictory address at the University of the West Indies (UWI) recognition of graduates ceremony, which was held at the Methodist Church Hall in Kingstown last Friday, February 24.

Francis, who graduated from the Bachelor of Science (BSc) Youth Development Work programme with first class honours, said that he himself was a beneficiary of a bursary from the MCT and monetary assistance of that nature must be acknowledged, as credit facilities that provide financing for students to realize their dreams of a university education are extremely important.

“I stand here today and as I take this time to express my deepest appreciation to donors from Mustique and Mrs Lavinia Gunn for their kindness and generosity, it would be remiss of me to not take this time to thank those individuals who, in one way or the other, contributed to this moment that we all share,” said Francis.

This year’s recognition of graduates ceremony saw 62 persons graduate from various educational programmes with Bachelor of Science (BSc) and Bachelor of Education (BEd) degrees obtained at the local UWI Open Campus, the Trinidad based St Augustine, the Jamaica based Mona and Barbados based Cave Hill campuses.

Francis had high praises for head of the local Open Campus Deborah Dalrymple, whom he described as a “mother figure” to all the students who took the programmes.

Francis revealed that the Youth Development degree programme was the first of its kind done locally and he and the other seven “guinea pigs” were proud to be part of the class.

Francis, who is president of the New Democratic Party (NDP) Young Democrats, told his fellow graduates that now that this academic journey is finished, they must use their newly acquired power to build a better way of life for themselves and their families and also to advance their careers.

“However”, said Francis, “I also want to challenge us to go deeper, to look around us and see what positive changes we can make in Vincentian society. How can we use our knowledge as a force for good in our community and country?”

Francis said that as UWI graduates, they now have a heavy responsibility to chart a brighter pathway for young people and women, to advocate for their positive development and inclusion in decision making.

“We must find ways to support and strengthen our families and to be role models to our young people.

“Volunteer your time and your services to community groups and organizations; become a tutor or a mentor. Develop new and exciting ways to broaden and deepen the connectivity between corporate entities and disadvantaged and marginalized groups,” Francis encouraged.

He said that persons should look into establishing thinktanks to create solutions to the problems we face nationally and regionally, while creating a space for persons to find their voice and to use that voice to effect positive change.

“Challenge the status quo, promote critical and creative thinking. Become leaders in your place of work, in your church, home and community. Never underestimate your worth, your power to influence and your ability to impact and improve the lives of those around you,” Francis urged.

He said that graduates should also make a commitment to use knowledge for good.

SEARCHLIGHT’s administrative manager Teshorne Caine graduated with a BSc in Management Studies with Economics.

The ceremony also heard from UWI Richmond Hill head of Site Deborah Dalrymple; deputy director (Ag) Continuing Professional Education, UWI Open Campus Sarah Owen; and featured speaker Stacia Morris. Morris has a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in economics and history, a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Computer Information Systems (Pace University) and a Post MBA Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies – Accounting (Pace University).