Thirty-two graduate from University of the West Indies

Thirty-two graduates, which included two males, at the University of the West Indies Open Campus graduation on Friday, January 7, were challenged to become agents of change.{{more}}

The call came from Valedictorian, Cleo Rodgers, who completed a Bachelor’s Degree in Education (BEd), with First Class Honours.

“I challenge all of you in attendance to let us plant our new potential in our work places and any other suitable areas of society, so that they can grow and flourish, making us more productive and, by extension, the nation at large,” said Rodgers, in her valedictory speech at the Methodist Church Hall, Kingstown.

“Let us not leave here today air-headed about our certification or accreditation, as many seem to do these days; but rather let us leave as agents of change,” Rodger said.

She noted that the UWI Open Campus had fulfilled its mission of equipping Vincentians with skills and knowledge, attitudes and values for life, which have made them ambassadors of the institution.

Kevern James (Chemistry and Mathematics), and Aina Browne (BSc Hotel Management) also excelled with first class honours.

The graduates received their certificates, diplomas and degrees at the special ceremony, where Head of the UWI Open Campus Dr. Ian Austin addressed the graduates.

Austin congratulated the students for their accomplishments in more than 20 fields, such as Actuarial Science, History, Education, Accounting Management, Gender and Development studies, Food Chemistry, Media and Communication, and Social Services, among others.

Austin said that the graduates can boast of receiving a quality education from the Open Campus, which was the dream of the institution’s founding fathers when they conceptualized and founded the University.

“Embedded in the skills, the knowledge and competencies that you have acquired is the development of that creative imagination that Professor [Rex] Nettleford spoke so much about.

“You as graduands here today are keeping the founding fathers’ dreams alive,” he emphasized.

Austin expressed that the Open Campuses across the region were a part of the plan to educate the entire region, and affords greater access to higher education for all.

“It operates at the nexus of traditional education and workforce preparation; and the open campus is positioning itself as an important artery in the development of the region.” (JJ)