Office
of the Pro Vice-Chancellor and Principal. Wednesday, October 16, 2019
- On
October 12, 2019, The University of the West Indies (The UWI) Open
Campus held its official 2019 Presentation of Graduates Ceremony at
the Saint John's Pentecostal Church, House of Restoration Ministries,
Lauchland Benjamin Drive, Woods Estate, St. John's, Antigua.

This
year, 768 students (561 undergraduates and 207 postgraduates)
graduated with degrees, diplomas and certificates in various
disciplines.  Among the graduates were 11 doctoral students,
representing the first cohort of the Doctor of Education (EdD) in
Educational Leadership offered at the Open Campus.  Of the total
number of graduates, 205 attended the Graduation Ceremony, crossing
the stage to be acknowledged by the Chancellor, Mr Robert Bermudez
and to receive their scrolls from the Campus Registrar, Mrs Karen
Ford-Warner.

The
ceremony was preceded with the usual pomp and pageantry associated
with UWI graduations.  In attendance to witness the occasion
were several Heads of State, dignitaries and government officials
from across the region.  They included Dame Sandra Mason,
Governor-General of Barbados; His Excellency Sir Rodney Williams,
Governor-General of Antigua and Barbuda; His Excellency Charles
Savarin, President of the Commonwealth of Dominica; Dr. the
Honourable Timothy Harris, Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis;
Honourable Diallo Rabain, Minister of Education, Bermuda; Mr
Christopher Famous, Member of Parliament, Bermuda; and the Honourable
Michael Browne, Minister of Education, Science and Technology,
Antigua and Barbuda.

The
Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor of The UWI, members of the
University’s Executive Management and other University officials
along with the family and friends of the graduates were also in
attendance.

The
Chancellor in his address to the graduating class spoke on the
topical issue of climate change and urged the graduands to add their
voices to this global agenda. “A critical element in addressing
climate change is advocacy and activism. I applaud the global efforts
being made by students everywhere to ensure that climate change is
given due attention by politicians around the world,” Chancellor
Bermudez stated.

Honorary
Graduate urged graduates to serve

During
the ceremony, an Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree (LLD) was conferred
on Sir Samuel Weymouth Tapley Seaton, current Governor-General of St.
Kitts and Nevis for outstanding public service to his country.

Sir
Tapley, in addressing the graduating class, spoke of how proud he is
to be a graduate of The UWI, which is now ranked amongst the best
universities in the world.  He spoke glowing of his UWI
experience as one of the first batch of students to begin studying
law in 1970.  “We styled ourselves as guinea pigs upon whom a
new endeavour was being experimented,” Sir Tapley stated.  As
the youngest in his class, he recalled that “there were no past
papers to review, no past students to consult and limited textbooks
not relevant to Caribbean jurisprudence.” Instead, “there were
professors who were of the highest calibre and were dedicated to
ensuring that the first law graduates could hold their own in any
postgraduate endeavour.”

Sir
Tapley, in reflecting on his time at UWI, also acknowledged the
presence of his classmates, Sir Clare Roberts, Deputy
Governor-General of Antigua and Barbuda; Dame Sandra Mason,
Governor-General of Barbados; and Mr Justin Simon, QC of Antigua and
Barbuda who all were in attendance to share the moment with him.

“Consider
what role you wish to play in your respective communities and
nations” Sir Tapley urged the graduands. “See the graduation
ceremony as the beginning of a new life experience which could propel
you forward to continue to think creatively and outside of the
conventional box.”

Sir
Tapley charged the graduands to always carry the watch words
gratitude, honesty, integrity and respect as these are the hallmarks
of a good citizen. He implored the graduands to commit to service.
“You must not be a fleeting contributor to your community, pursue
avenues with young people, explore your countries rich heritage,
research the contributions of your forebearers, engage in worthwhile
discussions, pursue further learning all with a purpose,” he
continued.  “Give your service effectively and with passion
and demonstrate at all times the hallmarks of skill, competence and
care.”

Sir
Tapley, in thanking The UWI for honouring him, also expressed his
deepest appreciation to the early tutors who contributed to his
development.

Adjust
your sail

Dominican,
Ms. Novenia Isaacs, who completed the Bachelor of Science in Social
Work with First Class Honours was this year's Valedictorian.  In
her address to the graduating class, she likened her journey to
obtaining her degree to that of a ship and a sail.  She spoke of
the sacrifices and resilience that propelled her along to overcome in
spite of the obstacles caused by the ravishes of natural disasters
that hit her country and other parts of the region as well as
financial challenges that threatened to derailed her progress.

She
urged her fellow graduates to “never forget why you fought to
achieve your diploma that tells the world that you received a
first-class education from a university that is in the top four
percent of universities in the world.”

“Let
us not forget the values that were instilled in us, the core values
that The UWI stands for such as integrity, excellence, gender justice
and diversity,” Ms. Isaacs said.

In
closing, she reminded her fellow graduates that the graduation marks
the continuation of their journey. “The wind will come, your sail
may get battered at times, you may feel like turning your ship around
or even jumping ship,” she said passionately.   “However,
adjust your sail, set your faces to the wind, remember the purpose of
your journey and sail on.”

The
new graduates were led into repeating the Alumni Pledge by Mrs.
Ruthlyn Mathias, President, Alumni Chapter Antigua and Barbuda.

The
formal ceremony concluded with the Chancellor bringing the
proceedings to an end with the singing of the University Song, which
was led by Mrs.
Rox-Ann Brumant.

An
official reception hosted by the Government and people of Antigua and
Barbuda for the graduates and their guests, brought the celebration
to a close.