The UWI Global Campus inducts fifth cohort of UWI STAT ambassadors

The University of the West Indies (UWI) Global Campus (formerly Open Campus) recently held the Virtual Induction Ceremony for the fifth cohort of its UWI Student Today Alumni Tomorrow (UWI STAT) Ambassadors.

At this ceremony, nine students from four countries across the Region were inducted as UWI STAT Ambassadors. The 2023 UWI STAT Ambassadors are Georgeta Barton-Williams – Jamaica; St Luke Le Blanc – Dominica; Zillda Martineau – Trinidad & Tobago; Alexia McGee – Jamaica; Candece Palmer – Jamaica; Christianna Paul – Dominica; Odane Reid – Jamaica; Yamine Trotman – Trinidad & Tobago; and Olson Browne – Global Campus Guild President, from Antigua & Barbuda.

The UWI STAT Ambassadors are the Vice-Chancellor’s Student Representatives on all five UWI Campuses. This programme provides students with opportunities to integrate with fellow Caribbean and international students, and also encourages the development of leadership skills and provides them with varied experiences to enhance their education.

The foregoing is accomplished through their involvement in campus, community and alumni activities. The main objectives of The UWI STAT Ambassadors Corps are to promote UWI; foster “Pelican Pride” and loyalty to Alma Mater, encourage Caribbean integration and the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME); promote HIV/AIDS prevention in the Caribbean; and promote Disaster Mitigation and Climate Change Resilience.

Dr Francis O Severin, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Principal of The UWI Global Campus, in presenting the feature address on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, emphasized the role of the Ambassadors which, he counselled, must be taken very seriously.

“It is a substantial and significant assignment and task, and you have been carefully and judiciously selected to operationalize the fundamental objectives of this role…”, said Dr Severin.

Concerning the objective, “To encourage Caribbean integration and the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME)”, Dr Severin told the Ambassadors that it was time for the Region’s people to take control of integration.

“It is not going to happen as readily as it should if left to the top. As citizens of the Region, we must be understanding and kind to each other; we must embrace our differences and not see one as superior and another as inferior. We must espouse the spirit of cultural relativity and eschew cultural ethnocentrism. To be sure, we have so much in common and our interest and survival depend upon us collaborating”, stated Dr Severin.

Further, Dr Severin urged the Ambassadors to be strong advocates for The UWI in general and the Global Campus in particular. “Develop a fervour and passion for this great Caribbean institution of higher education. Reflect on how privileged we are to be part of this fundamental growth engine”.

He implored the Ambassadors to also ponder on the many lives the Global Campus has touched in positive and priceless ways. “Go to the nooks and crannies of our communities, our towns, our hamlets and our countrysides, and let all know what a priceless resource we have and that we can either preserve it or lose it. The choice is in our hands”, Dr Severin reminded the virtual audience.

Celia Davidson Francis, Director of Alumni Relations, in her remarks, indicated that The UWI STAT was in its 17th year and the ceremony provides an opportunity to celebrate the successes, the achievements and the traditions that have been established.

She explained that in the 17 years of the UWI STAT’s existence, 14 Ambassadors have become Rhodes Scholars, and many have become UK Chevening Scholars, Commonwealth Scholars and Queen’s Young Leaders.

Further, there are over 400 Alumni Ambassadors worldwide who are General Managers of Companies and Banks, Ministers of Government, Deputy Mayors, Scientists and more. “UWI STAT certainly prepares and nurtures leaders! Alumni Ambassadors constitute a valuable professional network”, Davidson-Francis stated.

“You are the essence and soul of what is required as future leaders – and can make an impact while at The UWI, and in the future as graduates and Alumni Ambassadors of your University. As you develop as leaders in your various fields, you will help guarantee that the Caribbean remains stable, resilient and productive… I am sure that your positive thinking combined with your constructive actions will result in success for yourselves, for the Region and your Alma Mater”, said Davidson-Francis.

Sandra Griffith-Carrington, Campus Alumni Officer, congratulated the new Ambassadors and indicated that the training that they had received has made them fully cognisant of their role in the UWI Triple ‘A’ Strategy of Access, Alignment and Agility. “I am confident that you will execute your duties as the Vice-Chancellor’s Ambassadors professionally as together we work to preserve the excellent standards of our prestigious University. May we all endeavour to be true representatives of the Light Rising from the West – with The UWI first in our hearts… and always, … first in our Region”, Griffith-Carrington stated.

Four UWI STAT Ambassadors who served with distinction over the period 2020 – 2023 were also honoured at the Ceremony and declared Alumni Ambassadors. They are Annissa Moulon, Tamara Patten, Ariel Albert and Kisone Ferguson.

Albert who responded on behalf of the Alumni Ambassadors encouraged the Ambassadors to capitalise on presented opportunities and to not only represent the University in official capacities but also for their personal development in areas of leadership and team collaboration. On behalf of her fellow UWI Alumni Ambassadors, she stated, “I gratefully embrace the recognition bestowed upon us. It is an honour to continue representing The UWI in an official capacity. We will continue to strive for excellence, work diligently, and showcase our Pelican Pride.”

Christianna Paul, the most outstanding UWI STAT Ambassador in accepting the charge on behalf of the newly inducted Ambassadors stated, “As we embark on this remarkable journey as UWI STAT Ambassadors, we do so with a profound sense of responsibility, passion, and dedication. We are entrusted with the task of serving our UWI community, our fellow students, and our alumni. We are here to promote responsible citizenship, volunteerism, and the rich Caribbean culture and values that define us.”

“As UWI STAT Ambassadors, we are united by a common goal – to be the Vice-Chancellor’s Ambassadors and to serve with the utmost excellence, to foster a sense of unity and pride among our fellow students, and to carry forward the traditions and values that make The University of the West Indies exceptional. Let our actions speak louder than our words, and our footprints lay the path for others to come. Together, we will continue to serve and lead, embodying the spirit of UWI and proudly promoting the excellence it represents with Pelican Pride”, Paul stated.

The UWI Global Campus congratulates our UWI STAT Ambassadors and wishes them success in this very important role of service and leadership and the creation of loyalty and Pelican Pride among students and alumni.