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“Society needs you” says Campus Principal to New Students at Matriculation Ceremony

For Release Upon Receipt - October 10, 2023

St. Augustine


 

Mr. Shravan Maharaj, top Matriculant 2023, formerly of Hillview College and a first year Computer Science student, signs the Matriculant Register. Looking on are Dr. Dawn-Marie De Four-Gill, Campus Registrar and Mr. Garth Jones, Senior Administrative Assistant (Student Affairs), The UWI St. Augustine Campus

ST. AUGUSTINE, Trinidad and Tobago. October 10, 2023 – Professor Rose-Marie Belle Antoine, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Campus Principal of The University of the West Indies (The UWI) St. Augustine Campus, delivered a powerful message during the 2023 Matriculation and Welcome Ceremony held on Thursday, September 28, 2023 at The UWI SPEC.  The ceremony is a decades-long tradition where new students are recognised as members of the academic community of The UWI; they sign the University register and recite the academic vow. They also witness their first Academic Procession with which the ceremony begins.

Professor Antoine emphasized the transformative potential of first-year students and the importance of aligning their education with society's needs. Addressing the students, Professor Antoine said, "You need to succeed not just for yourself but for your community, the country, and globally. We need you. Society needs you. Your work must be relevant to the needs of our society and the future ahead. This is the goal and challenge for your generation."

 Pro Vice-Chancellor and Campus Principal of The UWI St. Augustine Campus Professor Rose-Marie Belle Antoine and Guild President Aishwarya Maharaj light “The Flame of Excellence”, to represent the union of the Campus administration and the student body, in support of new students.

Recognizing the resilience displayed during the pandemic, she applauded the students for their academic achievements and encouraged them to aim higher, saying, "As I look out at you, though, I feel a renewed sense of optimism and hope. After all, your generation overcame the deadly pandemic. You are all here today because you excelled at your examinations in spite of those challenges, and I applaud each and every one of you for that. But as you begin your journey into tertiary education, it is not enough anymore to simply excel."

 Members of the Matriculating Class of 2023 comprising of first-year students of The UWI St. Augustine Campus in their traditional black and white outfits 

Dr. Dawn-Marie De Four-Gill, Campus Registrar, welcomed the students and their supporting families, emphasizing The UWI's global ranking, saying, " Your presence on the St. Augustine Campus of The University of the West Indies isn't merely a testament to your achievements—it's the commencement of a transformative journey towards earning a degree, diploma or certificate from a university that proudly ranks among the top 1.5% globally." 

(L-R) Professor Indar Ramnarine, Deputy Campus Principal, The UWI St. Augustine Campus, Mr. Shravan Maharaj, top Matriculant 2023 and first-year Computer Science student and Professor Rose-Marie Belle Antoine, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Campus Principal, The UWI St. Augustine Campus

Every year a top matriculant is chosen to sign the Matriculation Register on behalf of the incoming cohort as a symbolic gesture. The signing signifies the adherence to the tenets of the Academic Vow and the pursuit of excellence. This year, Mr. Shravan Maharaj, formerly of Hillview College and a first year Computer Science student, signed on behalf of his cohort.

Distinguished speakers included Vice-Chancellor of The UWI, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, Ms. Aishwarya Maharaj, President of The UWI St. Augustine Guild of Students, and Mrs. Joanna Joseph-Manrique, Executive Board Member of The UWI Alumni Association, Trinidad and Tobago Chapter. The event also featured inspiring performances by The UWI Arts Chorale.

View the entire ceremony here via The UWI St. Augustine Facebook Page

The UWI Arts Chorale delivers a thrilling performance at The UWI St. Augustine Campus’ 2023 Matriculation and Welcome Ceremony

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About The University of the West Indies 

The UWI has been and continues to be a pivotal force in every aspect of Caribbean development; residing at the centre of all efforts to improve the well-being of people across the region for the past 75 years. 

From a university college of London in Jamaica with 33 medical students in 1948, The UWI is today an internationally respected, global university with near 50,000 students and five campuses: Mona in Jamaica, St. Augustine in Trinidad and Tobago, Cave Hill in Barbados, Five Islands in Antigua and Barbuda and its Open Campus, and global centres in partnership with universities in North America, Latin America, Asia, Africa and Europe. 

The UWI offers over 800 certificate, diploma, undergraduate and postgraduate degree options in Culture, Creative and Performing Arts, Food and Agriculture, Engineering, Humanities and Education, Law, Medical Sciences, Science and Technology, Social Sciences, and Sport. As the Caribbean’s leading university, it possesses the largest pool of Caribbean intellect and expertise committed to confronting the critical issues of our region and wider world. 

The UWI has been consistently ranked among the top universities globally by the most reputable ranking agency, Times Higher Education (THE). The UWI is the only Caribbean-based university to make the prestigious lists since its debut in the rankings in 2018. In addition to its leading position in the Caribbean in the World University Rankings, it is also in the top 25 for Latin America and the Caribbean and the top 100 global Golden Age universities (between 50 and 80 years old).  The UWI is also featured among the leading universities on THE’s Impact Rankings for its response to the world’s biggest concerns, outlined in the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including Good Health and Wellbeing; Gender Equality and Climate Action. 

2023 marks The UWI’s 75th anniversary. The Diamond jubilee milestone themed “UWI at 75. Rooted. Ready. Rising.” features initiatives purposely designed and aligned to reflect on the past, confront the present, and articulate plans for the future of the regional University. 

Learn more at www.uwi.edu  

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