Innovatively seek national reform

by Fameeda Lorraine Mohammed

It is an honour to address this gathering at today’s graduation ceremony for the Faculty of Social Sciences Class of 2011. I recall three years ago sitting in this same room with you, my fellow graduates during our orientation ceremony where various representatives from The University of the West Indies enthusiastically described the ultimate UWI experience on the paved road that we were about to set foot on. We were all eager, but fearful to start this journey because of our preconceptions of the overbearing workload, personal commitment, sacrifices and social suicide that would be required to survive through this stage of our education.

Admittedly, these feared realities did not materialize.

I stand in solidarity with my fellow graduates when proclaiming that UWI provided a unique scholastic education, coupled with an exciting social experience which has contributed tremendously to our personal and professional development.

For many of us, we gained an enriched understanding of group dynamics and the importance of teamwork. We developed our leadership skills and bravery by participating in class presentations, improved our intellectual capabilities as we engaged in stimulating discussions and discovered our versatile abilities to burn the midnight oil studying compulsively prior to final exams and yet functioning effectively the following day. Apart from our cognitive thinking skills and academic growth, we all had enjoyable and significant experiences at UWI, and through our practice of relationship-building we have forged social ties and built networks that would last a lifetime.

Certainly, the typical ‘Zen’ Wednesdays, on-campus social events and popular Campus Carnival celebrations complemented our educational experience. I participated in this Carnival extravaganza in my final year. In addition to the fun and excitement, it was awesome to have one of my lecturers march besides me to Machel Montano’s “Take Advantage” as our band crossed the judging point. This aspect of the celebrations denoted the elusiveness, character building and universal development honed in UWI’s distinctive teaching system. It demonstrated that UWI and its high calibre of educators were capable of creating and sustaining a dynamic academic climate, in which extra curricula activities are well integrated into the core school curricula. Undeniably, UWI exposed us to an environment conducive to learning, as well as, our holistic development, as today, we graduate equipped with the qualities and attributes needed to move on to the next stages of life.

As with any journey, our path to success was not without obstacles. Thankfully, with our presence here today as proof, we did not let ourselves remain defeated by these stumbling blocks, we displayed strength and braved the rough tides with courage, discipline, perseverance and adversity, qualities that have allowed us to excel beyond expectations and achieve a level of greatness aspired by many. As Winston Churchill once said, “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” So as we navigate our individual paths, I assure you, we will encounter challenges, but we should not surrender, for UWI has taught us to strategize and develop alternative maps that would lead us to our desired destinations.

In the spirit of gratitude we must not forget all those who held the torch providing light on this journey. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the almighty God, with whom all things are possible. Surely His mercy has facilitated our successes and lifted us in times of darkness. I am one to say that nothing is impossible without faith as I was richly blessed in my time of need.

Of course, we would not have climbed to these heights in the academic ladder without our mentors, teachers, tutors, lecturers and other academic and non-academic staff at UWI. Gracious thanks to all of you who answered your phones during weekends, responded efficiently to emails and went far beyond your stipulated office hours and call of duty to ensure that we were clear in our understanding of the course material.

In the same breath, heartfelt thanks to the support networks that provided us with love and compassion throughout, and ensured that we did not give up. Parents, spouses, siblings, friends, and other loved ones who provided support during stressful circumstances, thank you. I attest, that without patient, loving, motivating and outgoing parents like mine, and a younger sister who would cook for me while I was studying, I would not have made it here today.

As our futures dawn on us, remember that US Senator Orrin Hatch of Utah once said “there is a good reason they call these ceremonies commencement exercises, Graduation is not the end; it’s the beginning.” Confidently, I am proud to declare that UWI has provided us with a secure platform for the future, a foundation for our new beginnings. I urge you, employ your analytical skills and sound judgment and become the liberators of tomorrow, create a level of sustainable development in your home countries that will allow us to advance economically, socially and politically. Assume leadership and innovatively seek national reform that will alleviate impediments such as poverty, crime and policy problems and thereby engender economic stability and social integrity throughout the world. As a prime agent in your respective fields, act as agents of change to create and build a diversified knowledge intensive economy capable of supporting future generations.

As I conclude I leave you with one quote from an award winning journalist, Tom Brokaw, “You are educated. Your certification is in your degree. You may think of it as the ticket to the good life. Let me ask you to think of an alternative. Think of it as your ticket to change the world.” And as Mahatma Gandhi rightly said, “We must become the change that we expect to see in the world.”