On Wednesday next, February 21 the UWI School of Continuing Studies will welcome to St. Vincent and the Grenadines O’Neil Simpson in his capacity as UWI, Cave Hill Ambassador at Large.

Simpson was given that distinction following his signal achievement at the 26th World Universities Debating Championship held in Dublin. Simpson became the first Caribbean person to have won the Individual World Public Speaking Championship title. O’Neil who is Jamaican, is a law student and was representing the Cave Hill campus at its first outing at this Championship where it participated among 342 teams from 148 Universities and Colleges and from 50 countries.{{more}}

Simpson who is 25 years of age is seen as an excellent role model for young people and is mandated to promote the message of the University, speaking about the opportunities available, reaching out to youths with a focus on youth development and interfacing with other areas of society. He had previously represented the Mona Campus of the University in World Universities and Colleges Debating Championships in South Africa and Singapore. He has already completed a degree in History and Modern Languages, holds a post-graduate Diploma in Education and a Graduate Diploma in Business Administration. He has also received certificates in French from UWI, Jamaica, a certificate in Spanish from the Centre for Higher Studies and Foreign Exchange in Mexico and a Certificate in Advanced Spanish from the Universidad del Norte in Columbia.

But Simpson is not all academic. He is a very involved individual, having been a member of the University Singers and Cavite Chorale of Barbados, of the University Dance Society and the Panoridim Steel Orchestra. He has been involved in a number of cross cultural experiences in the region and abroad representing Jamaica, the University and the region in about 30 different countries. He received the Jamaica Gleaner’s National Honour Award for Excellence in Education. Beyond all of this he has participated actively in different sporting activities including athletics, swimming, volleyball and cycling. Mr. Simpson is a devout Christian with an interest in philanthropy and social outreach having been involved in religious interfacing in Britain where he traveled around the British Isles participating in social work, teaching and mission-related activities.

While in St.Vincent and the Grenadines he will meet with students, voluntary organisations, will make courtesy calls on government and political officials and will interface with the public through the media and speaking engagements.