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The Countdown Is On! UWI St. Augustine Graduation Ceremonies 2024: Top 5 things to look out for…

For Release Upon Receipt - October 23, 2024

St. Augustine


ST. AUGUSTINE, Trinidad and Tobago. October 23, 2024 – The anticipation is high as we approach the start of the graduation ceremonies at the St. Augustine Campus of The University of the West Indies (The UWI). Scheduled to kick off on Thursday, October 24, 2024, and continuing with two ceremonies per day until Saturday, October 26, these ceremonies promise to be a memorable celebration of academic achievement and resilience.  Here are the top 5 things to look out for at this year’s ceremonies:

1.       New Chancellor of the University

2.       Honourary Graduands

3.       New Academic Regalia

4.       Outstanding Graduates

5.       Inspirational Valedictorians

The details of these Five (5) Must-See Moments at this year's UWI St. Augustine Graduation Ceremonies are as follows:

1.      New Chancellor - Dr The Most Hon. Dodridge Miller

On August 1, The UWI welcomed Dr The Most Hon. Dodridge Miller as its new Chancellor, the 7th holder of the highest office in the regional university system. Chancellor Miller, a distinguished graduate of The UWI brings a wealth of experience to his new role. He is regarded as a true Caribbean luminary with over 30 years of leadership in the banking, insurance, and financial services sectors, including a successful tenure as the Group President and CEO of Sagicor Financial Company until his retirement in March 2023.

2.      Honourary Graduands

This year's graduation ceremonies will include the conferral of honorary degrees upon distinguished individuals who have made significant contributions to society. The honorary graduands who will be conferred at this year's ceremonies are:

Dr Patricia Rodney – Thursday 24th October – Doctor of Laws (LLD)

Mr Maniram Ragbir – Saturday 26th October – Doctor of Science (DSc)

Each of them will be celebrated during specific ceremonies, making it a must-see moment of the event. Read more about our honorary graduands here

3.      New Academic Regalia

In 2024, after seven and a half decades, The UWI’s academic regalia has been redesigned to take on a fresh, Caribbean flair. Since 1948 The UWI’s Principal Officers have worn regalia of dark colours, heavy fabrics and ornate trimmings that echoed our colonial past. The redesign reflects a consultative process that engaged the University community, ensuring that the new gowns resonate with the spirit of contemporary Caribbean society. They feature vibrant, eye-catching designs as a tribute to the region’s colours, textures, and culture. They also contain significant elements of the University’s brand identity and were manufactured from fabric that’s more suitable to the Caribbean climate. The collection proudly celebrates our Caribbean identity and independence from colonial ties. Read more about the new regalia here.

4.      Outstanding Graduates

At this year’s homecoming, a grand total of 3,279 students have been awarded, including 2,396 undergraduate students and 883 postgraduate students who will be recognized for their dedication to higher education and their exceptional achievements. Over the span of three memorable days and 6 ceremonies, 2,403 graduates will gracefully cross the stage, symbolizing their outstanding journey of academic success and resilience.

5.      Inspirational Valedictorians

 Six exceptional graduands have been chosen as valedictorians for this year's graduation ceremonies. They have been selected for their outstanding achievements, perseverance, and embodiment of “Pelican Pride” Their speeches will inspire and reflect the essence of their UWI journey, making it an unforgettable part of the graduation experience. They are as follows: Ms. Alexandria Douglas, who represents the Faculties of Humanities & Education and Sport; Ms Melissa Edwards, a shining example of the Faculties of Science & Technology and Food & Agriculture; Mr Koffi Paul, who represents the Faculties of Engineering and Law; Ms Lyan Lagan, chosen to speak on behalf of the Faculty of Social Sciences; Ms. Antoni Mannette, also representing the Faculty of Social Sciences; and Ms. Selena Fazia Deochand,  an inspiring voice for the Faculty of Medical Sciences.

 From every corner of the world, family, friends and well-wishers would be viewing as the graduating class of 2024 crosses the stage. The UWI will present a livestream of each ceremony via UWItv and all can join in viewing the celebration on UWItv's website at https://uwitv.org/ or by tuning in on the Flow Evo television channels across the Caribbean. It's an opportunity for everyone to share in the joy and pride of our graduates. The schedule is packed with inspiring moments, recognition of excellence, and the celebration of our region's commitment to higher education. For more information and updates on the graduation ceremonies, please visit https://sta.uwi.edu/graduation/

 About The University of the West Indies

 The University of the West Indies (The UWI) is the Caribbean’s premier, higher education institution. One of only two regional universities in the world, it comprises five campuses across the English-speaking Caribbean and global centres in partnership with universities in North America, Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Europe. The UWI has been consistently ranked among the best in the world by the most reputable ranking agency, Times Higher Education (THE).

 Learn more at www.uwi.edu

 

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