Despite the island being under flash flood warning, both the morning and evening graduation ceremonies for The University of the West Indies Cave Hill Campus class of 2023 proceeded as scheduled on Saturday.
The evening session was dedicated to the Social Sciences, while the morning ceremony covered the other faculties.
During the second ceremony Chancellor Robert Bermudez urged the graduates, “Give back to your alma mater. There are so many ways in which you can do this. You can mentor students, serve as adjunct faculty or technical advisors in your specialised areas. There are multiple ways and opportunities to contribute to ensuring that the work and the reputation of this university which has given you so much will remain at a high level.”
In his engaging valedictory address, Rahym Augustin-Joseph incorporated quotes from prominent figures such as Nelson Mandela, George Lamming, Kirk Franklin, and Buju Banton. His speech, which evidently struck a chord with his fellow graduates, sparked both laughter and nods of agreement, ultimately earning him a standing ovation.
Augustin- Joseph, who earned First Class Honours in Political Science and Law, acknowledged the challenges of transitioning from the online approach to the face-to-face model. He joked, “No longer could you say that the Wi-Fi disconnected during the tutorials, you had to face the answers and fix it.”
His oratory skills were evident as he emphasised the significance of the institution which is celebrating its 75th year of service to the region. “It was only through education that the child of a peasant can become a doctor, the child of a farmer could become the president of a great nation and that it is not about what you have, but what you can make out of what you have,” he said.
The new graduate advised, “This academic achievement is just the beginning, and the utility of your academic achievement should not be confined to acquiring this degree for the record, for hoarding and only personal gratification, as if you do so it can become a distant memory and meaningless. Instead, I urge you to use this degree as the bedrock upon which you can build the country and the Caribbean civilisation that you dream of; one that is steeped in fairness, equality, social and distributive justice, and economic enfranchisement among others.”
He encouraged them to always be conscious of their obligations as social scientists. “We see social issues as complex, multifactorial and holistic. We should not and cannot see crime as divorced from political science, divorced from criminology, divorced from international relations, divorced from sociology or divorced from economics.”
He concluded, “While we bask in the glory of our success, it is equally important for us to take time and show reflection and appreciation to the many individuals who have helped us today.” Like Chancellor Bermudez, he too urged them to never forget their alma mater. “Find ways and means to contribute effectively towards your community, become proud ambassadors of the UWI.”
As part of the evening session, honorary degrees were conferred on President of Lenstec Ian Hickling, who received the Degree of Doctor of Science, while business executive Trisha Tannis received the Degree of Doctor of Laws. In the earlier ceremony veteran entertainer Alison Hinds received the Degree of Doctor of Letters (DLitt).
Tannis, who delivered the feature address, spoke of her vision for the future stating, “Graduates you are the private sector. You are full of business ideas and enterprises. It is now your time to rise up and take business risks and resume, not assume, your rightful place as owners of capital.”
She added, “You did not graduate from this esteemed institution to subsume your talents and strengths, gain experience but never lose sight of your own posterity.”
Tannis delivered a firm message to the females: “Our emotions when channelled into emotional intelligence will set us on a path of unprecedented success, as emotional intelligence is probably the defining hallmark of great leadership. Never compromise and remember the virtues of being graceful and feminine. You do not have to behave like a man to succeed in business.”
In closing she said, “As important as it was to be the first in some of my endeavours, it is even more important not to be the last.”
(STT)
