St. George’s, Grenada: The Open Campus of the University of the West Indies (UWI) celebrated its second official regional graduation in Grenada on Saturday, October 16, 2010 at the Grenada Trade Centre in St. George’s.
Over 130 graduates from most of the 16 Commonwealth Caribbean which support the UWI attended the ceremony representing the rest of the 2010 graduating class of about 700 from the UWI Open Campus across the region.
The graduates celebrated their achievements with their friends and family amidst jubilation and great optimism for the future armed with their new degrees from the UWI.
The festive mood was enhanced as Chancellor of the UWI, Professor the Honourable Sir George Alleyne, congratulated the UWI Open Campus Graduates of 2010 on successfully completing their degree, diploma and certificate programmes and said, “You give me great pleasure by appearing on this day to receive your diplomas. You will give me even greater pleasure if you accept that you have a responsibility to ensure that the institution which has helped you to run thus far continues and prospers. I can never emphasise enough that the reputation of the University depends to a large extent on the manner in which you deport yourselves in whatever sphere you choose. You are our best advertisement and I like to think that the value of such advertisement only grows as the years go by”.
Present to celebrate with the graduates at the occasion were the Governor General of Grenada, His Excellency Carlyle Arnold Glean; the Governor General of St. Kitts & Nevis, His Excellency Sir Cuthbert Sebastian; and the Prime Minister of Grenada, The Honourable Tillman Thomas. The Chancellor used an opportune moment in his traditional address to the company to invite the Prime Minister of Grenada to speak about the commitment of the Grenadian people and Government to the University by the generous gift of land in the Hope region of the country for the UWI to expand its presence in the country. The Chancellor graciously accepted the symbolic hand-over of the gift of land from papers presented by the Prime Minister.
The graduation address to the students was made by St. Kitts-born Professor Caryl Phillips, currently Professor of English at Yale University. Both Professor Phillips and Mrs. Beverley Steele, CBE, were conferred with honorary doctorates at the UWI graduation ceremony in Grenada in the annual ritual of recognising outstanding contributors to the region.
In his thought-provoking and well-received address, Professor Phillips used his excellent story-telling capacity to speak about the responsibility the graduates now held to lead from the front to eschew selfish and short-sighted behavior in today’s technologically-based and reality-TV world. He challenged them to work outside their own comfort zones and learn something new and different for their own personal growth and development. He asked the graduating class to continue aiming high for success and encouraged those to work to protect the environment, to cherish the art of reading books and to maintain and promote empathy (quote here from his speech).
After the Graduation address, University Registrar Mr. C. William Iton, addressed the Chancellor and called on the Acting Director of the Open Campus’s Academic Programming and Delivery Division, Professor Vivienne Roberts, to present those persons who were awarded firt degrees, associate degrees, diplomas and certificates from the University. Sir George shook hands with each and every one of the graduates, after which they received their graduate certificate canister from Campus Registrar, Ms. Simone Augier. Witnessing the historic moment in the audience, were the officials of the UWI, Open Campus Council members, faculty, parents, friends, and relatives of the students.
The 2010 Open Campus Class Valedictorian, Mr. Daren Pinard from Dominica, who graduated with first class honours in Banking & Finance, spoke on behalf of his fellow graduates.
In his purposeful address, he noted that “Our presence here is proof of what is possible when Caribbean people work together…Through the Open Campus, the UWI came into our very homes and became a part of our daily lives. The hundreds of mile existing between our physical spaces disappeared and we all sat together in unison, learning one lesson at a time, one instructor at a time, in one UWI. This is foresight in action. As graduates, we become ambassadors of change. I urge you to know and live up to the UWI’s pledge of excellence, of social and professional responsibility…our children must no longer have to wonder if a great university education will be within their reach. They must grow up feeling its presence and influence all around them.”
The 2010 UWI Graduation Ceremony in Grenada was, by every indication, a great success and a memorable occasion for all in attendance to witness this emotional and proud moment for the Open Campus graduates.
Congratualtions Daren….. this is really a great achievement……. we are all so very proud of you…..don’t worry about all the negativity that is normal when anyone sets himself apart from the park…. I know for a fact that you are a great dad and husband. Just keep doing your thing and keep moving forward.
Hey Daren….congrats man, keep doing your thing. We are so proud of you. Don’t worry with the usual negativity that comes when ever one of us set ourselves apart from the pack. I know for sure that you are a great father and husband, so just keep moving forward.
Congratulations Daren…we are so proud of you. Keep doing your thing and don’t worry about the negativity around you. I happen to know for sure that you are a great dad, and great family man.
CONGRATS AGAIN ,PLEASE PARTNER TAKE CARE OF YOUR RESPONSIBILITY ,THIS IS MORE REWARDING THAN YOUR DEGREE,THERE IS A GOD ABOVE
Mr. Pinard as a fellow Dominican I stand truly proud of you sir and your achievement. It is clear that hard work pays off and I believe your acomplishment testifies to that. It is your responsibility now to fulfill your “social and prefressional responsibility” with eficacy. Concentrate on the goals you’ve set for yourself and know that they are within your grasp and let only the blue sky be the limit. Comrade usher urself to new horizons as this can serve as a stepping stone to propel you to that next level…..
CONGRATS MY MAN PLEASE DO ALL YOU CAN SO LITHAN CAN TURN UP LIKE YOU
Congratulations Daren.. you make us proud
But going through “Yeah Right’s” comment I don’t see any mention of Daren’s name…Yeah right was speaking in relations to a statement he made in his speech…..You Dominicans take things too personal and go too far with your comments. DNO is not a place to vent frustrations and hold grudges.
Payback I believe you are the one who needs to grow up!!!
Please people read, read, read, read, read before you go ahead and make comments.
My goodness man!!
woosh woosh woosh congrts congrats congrats….Dominic really have some bright people..keep on making Dominica look good congrats to the other graduates as well
Congratulations Daren!!!!!!
Way to go my boy you made me proud
ppl… please refrain from using my handle…I am the original Two Cents dr. no offense intended
I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate my former classmate and now Valedictorian, Mr. Pinard. Congratulations are in order bro, however as a model male figure, it is rather disturbing the read these allegation made here by “yeah right!!!” regarding you not taking care of your children.
If such allegation has any truth to it then I am disappointed that such is the case and I would like to take this opportunity to advise you as man to man, honor your responsibility and look after your kids with the same level of diligence that you exercise in pursuing you degree. Remember bro God doh like ugly and what we sow is what we reap.
Once again, I wish you and your family all the best in future endeavor as you shower your kids with the love that they are sooo rightly entitled to.
Blessing!!
Dominicans continuing to make us proud. Congrats Daren!!! Well done
Congratulations partner, this is the result of so much hard work. You deserve it all
Daren, I am very proud of you and more so I hope you continue to be an example to our youth in the Colihaut area. You have come a long way and I wish you well. You dad must be proud, and so are your former teachers. That testimony the the youth that they can do it. You dont have to leave DA to get your Degree. Excellent job!!
Congrats Daren. Great job.
@PAY BACK: @ yeah right. somebody horn u? Take care of your own responsibility and stop minding others business. Daren my boy some people grudging, Continue to shine.
@yeah right!!: Woman grow up! That’s what you get for interfering with younger men!
Congratulations cuz……
congratulations Daren, God Bless.
congratulations to daren… i am very proud of you
How can the children enjoy the benefits of university or even afford to go to university when they have parents who graduate from university with bachelors degrees, masters degree, graduate as valedictorians, turn their back on them and do not take care of their responsibilities?
This is the social lessons that the universities and colleges also need to be teaching.
Good Day!!
By the way, Congrats to all who did well. May our youth take note and strive to do even better academically and socially.
Congratulation Daren from uncle Desmond and Alix you made us proud, God bless you.
Great news Daren. Congratulations!
Excellent work cuz, keep it up!!
big up my padner-a true hard worker
Congrats Daren…..do your thing.
Congratulations to the graduates especially those from Dominica..Keep up the good work.
congratulations to you Daren from your colleagues at NBD!!!