Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States, Audrey Marks, last Friday called on UWI Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, and Pro Vice-Chancellor and UWI Mona Principal Densil Williams to continue efforts to broaden student exchange initiatives between US academic institutions and The UWI.

Ambassador Marks was speaking at the first of four annual UWI, Mona Graduation Ceremonies shortly after she was conferred with the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws (LLD).

She alluded to the fact that this process was ongoing, citing a successful visit to Washington DC last year by  former UWI Principal Professor Dale Webber, Campus Registrar Donovan Stanberry, and Campus Bursar Catherine Parke-Thwaites. The UWI has been collaborating with its social partners to forge opportunities for students through America's Historically Black College and Universities (HBCU). HBCUs are US higher education institutions with mandates to provide opportunities for African American students.

 “I want to share with you that I have been working on developing relationships with various colleges and universities across the US, seeking to establish a year or term abroad exchange programme between those entities and The University of the West Indies,” Ambassador Marks said in her address to graduands last Friday.    

“Sir Hilary, Principal Williams, I want to ask you to lead the charge to get even more relationships going,” she added. The ambassador noted that such a move would allow UWI students to better navigate an ever-changing world while expanding their global networks.

“It is critical that every degree programme at UWI start to integrate an international component for our students. It is said that a mind, once expanded, can never again regain its normal dimension and nothing expands the mind faster than learning in a different and more successful economic environment. So I look forward to having you in Washington DC and to continue this programme,” Ambassador Marks told The UWI Leadership.

At this ceremony for graduating students in the faculties of Social Sciences and Law, The UWI also conferred the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws posthumously on Lascelles Chin. The business mogul, who founded the LASCO Affiliated Companies and served as executive chairman, died in May this year.  In her address, Ambassador Marks said her friend, Chin, was a mentor and an inspiration.

Ambassador Marks went on to encourage graduands to find their authentic selves, while safeguarding their reputations, grasping opportunities, and working to make an impact on society.

"I now just want to start a conversation with you about being the best that you can be, because it is going to be hard to survive, and, indeed, thrive in this world without being very centred in who you are," she said.

Around 3,500 students were conferred with degrees, diplomas and certificates over two days at four graduation ceremonies on the Mona Campus.

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