September 2012


Issue Home >>

The annual Matriculation ceremony is one of the UWI traditions that seeks to imbue incoming students with a sense of the gravitas of their status as university students and of academic life.

The ceremony, which was held on September 13, at the JFK Quadrangle on the St. Augustine Campus, was led by the Vice Chancellor, Professor E. Nigel Harris, and UWI Pro Vice-Chancellor and St. Augustine Campus Principal, Professor Clement Sankat, who formally recognised incoming students as new members of academia, invited them to sign the Matriculation Book (the symbolic signing was done by John Lee) and to take the Academic Vow, led by Kevin Ramsewak, UWI Student Guild President.

Addressing the students, Professor Sankat told them that the nation needs “value-based leadership” and exhorted them to be dedicated to moral values and ethical principles. “Remember that every time we move away from solid principles we contribute either directly or indirectly to the ills of society,” he said.

The Vice Chancellor too gave them solid advice.

“Work hard, commit to learning new things throughout your life, try to be inventive and seize opportunities as they come, re-invent yourself as the moment may demand, but whatever you do, preserve your integrity; commit to doing what is right; speak up against the corrupt and unethical. Strive for success, but do what is right to achieve that success and to preserve your soul,” said Professor Harris.

A formal procession of the University Council opened and closed the ceremony.