44 graduate from UWI

Forty-four new graduates of the University of the West Indies have been urged not to hoard their newly acquired skills.{{more}}

This advice has come from Dr. Jules Ferdinand as he delivered the feature address at the 5th UWI Open Campus Recognition of Graduates ceremony. The ceremony took place on Friday, January 8, 2010, at the Methodist Church Hall.

“This certificate is more than something to be framed and placed on a display…,” Ferdinand said to the students who obtained Bachelor’s, Master’s and Associate degrees, Certificates and Diplomas in various subject areas. He explained that the certificate is a symbol of the achievement of goals and a graduate’s determination to “better their best.”

Ferdinand urged the graduates to utilize their skills in their working environments and social organizations before they become obsolete: “Seek opportunities to share your knowledge, seek to invent and implement new and improved systems and structure.” he said.

He also urged graduates to be patient with bosses and supervisors who may want to limit them to the same job description they had prior to their degree. “You must impress upon them that when we do the same old thing, the same old way, we can only expect the same old underperforming results,” he advised.

While congratulating them on their remarkable achievement, Ferdinand emphasized that their journey was just ‘one step’ toward their goals and that they have much more to accomplish. “You still have roads to walk, mountains to climb and oceans to wade through.” He, however, reassured them that they will conquer future challenges in the same way the conquered their courses.

Giving the valedictory address, Elspeth Latchman, who graduated with first class honours in the Bachelor of Education in Educational Administration programme, congratulated her fellow graduates on completing their courses and persevering through numerous challenges. Latchman mentioned challenges such as mastering the technology of online courses and balancing familial responsibilities with student life.

Latchman, who shared various classroom anecdotes, thanked God, family and friends who supported her throughout her studies. Describing the graduation of the students as a “glorious and spectacular accomplishment”, she reminded the students that they are now ambassadors of the UWI Open Campus and have become envoys of the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines which seeks to have at least one university graduate in each household.

Also attending the ceremony were Deputy Principal of the UWI Open Campus Vivienne Roberts, Head of the UWI Open Campus St Vincent Dr Adrian Fraser, Dr. Frances Severin, Head of UWI Open Camus Dominica, and the local tutors.

The graduates included Vincentian students from the UWI Open Campus St. Vincent, Cave Hill Campus, Mona Campus and St. Augustine Campus. The programme also featured dancing by La Gracia Dancers and music from the Rhythmix Steel Orchestra.