The return of face-to-face graduation ceremonies at the University of the West Indies (UWI) will see more than 4,000 students from the Class of 2022 being conferred with degrees, diplomas, and certificates as the Mona Campus hosts its first in-person ceremonies since the global pandemic.

The Campus will, for the first time, host five ceremonies over three days, all of which will be broadcasted on UWI TV and social media.

Speaking on the return to the traditional format, UWI Mona Campus Registrar, Dr Donovan Stanberry said: “We recognise the sanctity of graduation and wish to preserve it because it means so much to so many students and their families. Students, parents/guardians and well-wishers all made huge sacrifices so they may become a graduate of The UWI and so we return to the traditional way of celebrating with a view to making the day special for them.”

Stanberry explained that the university will accommodate fewer guests of graduates as well as those of honourary graduands in an effort to keep visitors, students and staff safe.

He noted that the social distancing protocols will be observed. The campus, he said, has assembled a group of “safety officers” under the supervision of a chief emergency management team whose responsibility it is to ensure that guests remain safe as they maneuvre the graduation site.

The three-day event will see ceremonies from November 3-5.

There will be one ceremony next Thursday (November 3) at 4:00 pm, where students from the Faculty of Medical Sciences will be formally announced as graduates of The UWI. 

The valedictorian addressing this ceremony will be Dr Dayna Palmer, she is a member of the Faculty of Medical Sciences. Palmer was awarded the Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS).

The University will also be conferring the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science (D.Sc.) on Dr Rosemary Moodie for her work in paediatric medicine and philanthropy.

On Friday, at 10:00 am, students from faculties of Engineering, Science and Technology, Sport and the Institute of Gender Studies will be formally presented as graduates.

The valedictorian addressing this ceremony will be Danielle Mullings a member of the Faculty of Science and Technology, who was awarded the Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering.

Later on, at 4:00 pm, the second ceremony will see students from the Faculty of Social Sciences, except for the Mona School of Business and Management, officially announced as graduates of The UWI.

The valedictorian addressing this ceremony will be David Salmon, who was awarded the Bachelor of Science in Public Policy Management. He is a member of the Faculty of Social Sciences.

The university will also confer the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws (LLD) on Diane Jaffee, for her work in finance.

On Saturday, at 9:00 am, students from the faculties of Humanities and Education and Law will be officially declared graduates.

Akeelia Richards, a member of the Faculty of Law will be the valedictorian addressing this ceremony. Richards was awarded the Bachelor of Laws.

Additionally, the university will confer the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters (DLitt) on Professor Orlando Patterson, for his work as a historical and cultural sociologist.

The final ceremony, also on Saturday, will take place at 4:00 pm and see students of the Faculty of Social Sciences from the Mona School of Business and Management only, formally presented as graduates.

The valedictorian addressing this ceremony will be Tamarnie Tavares, who was awarded the Bachelor of Science in Operation and Management Studies (Double Major). Tavares is a student of the Faculty of Social Sciences from the Mona School of Business Management.

The university will also confer the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws (LLD) on Adam Stewart for his work as an entrepreneur and philanthropist.

The families and friends of the Class of 2022, as well as the general public, can view the ceremony on UWITv Global www.uwitv.org Flow EVO channel 130 (Jamaica) or social media via Facebook.