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December 2010
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From the Principal: Values we cherish
This year, the St. Augustine Campus paid tribute to four such outstanding individuals – Mr. Doddridge Alleyne (LLD), Mr. Thomas Gatcliffe (DSc), Mrs Diana Mahabir-Wyatt (LLD) and Mr. Hans Hanoomansingh (LLD). Each of these individuals comes from different professional backgrounds, but each exemplified commitment to cause throughout their careers, as diverse as they were. Mr. Alleyne, who sadly passed away on October 8 before the formal conferment, was a leading figure in the public service, giving forty years of pioneering work in many areas, including the energy sector. Mr. Gatcliffe has been a towering figure on the business landscape and is well-known for his penchant for creativity and innovation. Mrs. Mahabir-Wyatt has crusaded for the rights of the vulnerable in our society – particularly, women and children– and has represented them at every possible forum. Mr. Hanoomansingh has used the airwaves to constantly push for more cultural inclusivity in programming. Each of these individuals is profiled in this issue of the paper, as well as our six valedictorians, and I hope that by reading about them you will recognise in their sterling attributes qualities that this Campus upholds, respects and cherishes. As the premier regional tertiary education institution, the UWI St. Augustine Campus is focused on producing leaders in all spheres. This year, we conferred degrees on 2,679 students at the undergraduate level and 939 students at the graduate level, including 34 doctoral degrees. A remarkable achievement indeed, but more importantly, we do look towards our young scholars and leaders going on, in their own way, to make outstanding contributions to national and regional development. One of our valedictorians shared a quote by Robert F. Kennedy with her fellow graduates which I found aptly captured the spirit of determination to be agents of change, that we would like all our graduates to take with them as they move on: “Few will have the greatness to bend history itself; but each of us can work to change a small portion of events and in the total of all those acts will be written the history of this generation”. Clement K. Sankat |
Every year, the university pays tribute to outstanding individuals by conferring honorary degrees upon them. It is a way of recognizing their accomplishments as well as the principles and values that guide them in their contribution and service to society. It is our method of saluting them.