Over 1,800 Future Leaders Graduate from UTech, Jamaica
The Most Hon. Edward Seaga, ON, PC, Chancellor, University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech, Jamaica) addresses happy graduates at the ceremony for the Presentation of Graduates held on Thursday, November 3, 2016 at the National Arena. Mr. Seaga in his address lauded UTech, Jamaica for its “practical” approach to training its graduates which he noted has been well “appreciated by parents, family and business enterprises.”
Over 1,800 future leaders of change and development from the University of Technology, Jamaica’s three colleges and five faculties have been awarded with terminal, masters, undergraduate and associate degrees and certificates. Armed with confidence in their abilities as change agents and catalysts for a brighter future, the happy faces of members of the Graduating Class of 2016 adorned the National Arena at the University’s annual ceremony for the Presentation of Graduates held on Thursday, November 3, 2016.
Prof. Colin Gyles, Acting President in his welcome congratulated the graduates on their “commitment to putting in the dedication and hard work required for success” and affirmed that the 2016 Graduating Class now joins “a long, proud tradition of over 50,000 CAST/UTech, Ja. graduates who are making their mark on development in various sectors across the globe.”
Highlighting that “UTech, Jamaica graduates can stand on par, shoulder to shoulder among peers who have been similarly trained, anywhere in the world, Prof. Gyles reiterated that the national University has played a major role in every facet of national development, having made demonstrable contributions in such professions as public health, medical technology, business, tourism and hospitality, entrepreneurship, land surveying, pharmacy, engineering and other professions.
Glen Christian and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce awarded Honorary Degrees
The University of Technology, Jamaica conferred the Doctor of Laws Honoris Causa (Hon. LLD) on The Hon. Dr. Glen Christian, OJ, CEO and Chairman of Cari-Med Ltd., Kirk Distributors Limited and Federated Pharmaceutical Limited and Olympian and Ambassador Shelly-Ann Fraser- Pryce, OD during the Graduation Ceremony.
Dr. Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce is all smiles as she accepts the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws Honoris Causa from University of Technology, Jamaica’s Chancellor, the Most Hon. Edward Seaga, ON, PC.
Hon. Dr. Glen Christian, OJ (right), CEO and Chairman of Cari-Med Ltd., Kirk Distributors Limited and Federated Pharmaceutical Limited signs the Graduate Register following the conferral of the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws Honoris Causa by University of Technology, Jamaica Chancellor, the Most Hon. Edward Seaga, ON, PC.
The citation on Dr. Glen Christian, read by University Public Orator Mrs. Pamela Kelly, lauded him for his enviable record of achievement and philanthropy that has earned him many accolades from organizations including the top ten drug companies worldwide with whom he has forged partnerships.
The citation on Ambassador Fraser-Pryce highlighted aspects of her remarkable achievements in world class sprinting, her academic accomplishments and her contribution to national service. Ambassador Fraser-Pryce boasts the distinction of being the first Caribbean woman to win gold in the 100 metres at an Olympics and the first female sprinter to have won gold medals in the 100 metres, 200 metres and 4x100metres in a single championship.
In accepting the honour Dr. Christian thanked the University’s Council and Academic Board for the conferral, noting that “this is an institution for which I have a lot of respect and I am proud to be recognized in this way.” Sharing that his association with the institution dates back to the 1970s when he enrolled at the then CAST, Dr. Christian told the gathering that “I have been privileged to be associated with UTech , as a member of the Board of Graduate Studies and also through the ongoing relationship between my company, Cari-Med and the School of Pharmacy.”
In his encouragement to the Graduating Class, Dr. Christian urged them to “think big and start small” and to “plan for growth.” Using his own experience as an example, he shared the story of his early job beginnings as a postman in the 1960s and his eventual purchase of one of the businesses to which in the past he delivered letters – the Colgate Palmolive Company on Marcus Garvey Drive from where he started his own company – Kirk Distributors Limited. On the path to growth and entrepreneurship, he underscored that individual growth requires an investment in self. In that regard he advised graduates to widen their network of influence and to become involved in volunteer service to build relationships, work experience and career development.
Ambassador Fraser-Pryce in her acceptance speech delivered another of her now well-known unscripted, emotionally stirring messages from the heart, in which she recounted the challenges of her upbringing, her career struggles, but lessons learnt and the triumph and reward of hard work. Thanking the Council “for even considering me for this honour,” Ambassador Fraser-Pryce said that she was humbled to receive the honorary degree from UTech, Jamaica. To resounding applause she affirmed that “today continues to remind me of the platform I have been given and that how much of what I do is not only for me but for those to come.”
In 2012, Shelly-Ann graduated from the University of Technology, Jamaica, having earned the Bachelor of Science Degree in Child and Adolescent Development with honors. Relating to the hard work required by the Graduating class to achieve their certification in their respective courses of study, she noted that despite the difficulty of balancing both academia and athletics at the height of her thriving career, in 2012 she made the decision that she would overcome all the odds to graduate in that year.
“In 2008, when I left Beijing, newly crowned, the only thing that mattered to me was becoming a graduate. Having a degree, when nobody in my family at the time had a degree and I wanted it…that is where I wanted to make a difference,” she said, adding that “I have gratitude beyond anything that I can experience because growing up I never even imagined that I would be here.” She implored the graduates to see themselves as “change agents”, not defined by circumstances but by their hard work and example to others in striving to become “something greater and bigger than self.”
“Continue to strive for Excellence through Knowledge” - Valedictorian
The Valedictory address was delivered by Trishauna McBean, Honours graduate of the School of Public Health and Health Technology who earned the B.Sc. in Environmental Health with First Class Honours. Miss McBean in congratulating her fellow graduates told them that their achievement epitomizes their “hard work, dedication and resilience.” Using the metaphor of the eaglet learning to fly, Miss McBean shared that, although their challenges and struggles were great along their academic journey, they fought relentlessly to accomplish their goals which has helped them to not only achieve their degrees but have also helped to build character. She further entreated her fellow graduates to continue on the path of excellence, to continue to adhere to their motto, “Excellence through Knowledge,” and “to aspire to always inspire, to be the change, the leaders and contributors to our nation’s development.”
The 2016 Graduating Class included the first cohort of the B.Sc. in Integrated Health Science (IHS), B.Sc. in Actuarial Science, Post RN Bachelor of Science in Critical Care, MPhil in Chemistry, and the PhD in Accounting.
His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, ON, GCMG, CD, KSt.J (left), Governor-General of Jamaica and University Visitor and his party are escorted upon their arrival for the annual Graduation Ceremony at the National Arena led by Mr. Hector Wheeler, Associate Vice President, Advancement and Mrs. Michelle Beckford, Corporate Communications Manager.
Beating the Odds to Achieve Excellence
Proud Sherona Anderson (left) of the Faculty of Science and Sport is elated as she accepts her Bachelor of Science in Actuarial Science from Dr. Elaine Wallace, University Registrar, which she achieved with First Class Honours. Mrs. Ava McIntosh, Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Science and Sport who assisted Sherona down the aisle looks on. Sherona defied the odds and the debilitating effects of the degenerative disease - spastic paraparesis to complete the very challenging Actuarial Science degree. The disease which attacks her central nervous system rendering her unable to control voluntary muscle movements began affecting her at the start of her four year degree programme in 2011. She expressed that she has never missed a class despite the challenges faced on a daily basis and thanked fellow students who assisted her with mobility.
A happy Aliou Graham, College of Business and Management graduate is congratulated by Dean, Prof. Paul Golding on being awarded the Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Human Resource Management – Economics. In the final year of his studies in 2013, Aliou was shot by gunmen in an attempted robbery which left him unable to walk. He defied the challenges of his condition to successfully complete his degree.
Doctor of Pharmacy Graduates: Prof. Colin Gyles, Acting President shares in the joy of accomplishment with Doctor of Pharmacy graduates from the College of Health Sciences. From left are Drs. Amanda Daley, Michelle Heavens, Meleacia Pinnock –Williams and Valencia Johnson-Thompson who proudly display their newly acquired certification.
President’s Pins
The President’s Pin was presented to three outstanding graduates who attained the criteria of a Grade ‘A’ and GPA of 3.75 to 4.00 in the last Academic Year. Accepting the President’s Pin from Acting President, Prof. Colin Gyles are First Class Honours graduates from the College of Business and Management, Gabrielle Spence (top), who achieved the Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting and Finance with a GPA of 3.25 and Jamelia Jallalwalikraam who was awarded the Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance and Banking with a minor in Economics with a GPA of 3.77. The third graduate, Chloe Furze-Russell, from the Faculty of Science and Sport, who was absent, achieved the Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Education with a GPA of 3.85.
FIRST CLASS HONOURS
(LEFT) - COLLEGE OF BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT: Sherica Brown, First Class Honours Graduate, Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting – Economics accepts her degree from Dr. Elaine Wallace, University Registrar.
(RIGHT) - COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCES: Dr. Elaine Wallace, University Registrar presents an elated Kaysha Foote with her First Class Honours Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
(LEFT) SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND HEALTH TECHNOLOGY: Dr. Elaine Wallace, University Registrar presents Valedictorian, Trishana McBean with her First Class Honours Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Health.
(RIGHT) FACULTY OF THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT: Alyssa Kurbanali, graduate of the Caribbean School of Architecture smiles brightly as she accepts her Bachelor of Arts degree in Architectural Studies achieved with First Class Honours from Dr. Elaine Wallace, University Registrar.
(LEFT) FACULTY OF EDUCATION AND LIBERAL STUDIES: Nicola Bent-Bonnick is a picture of happiness as Dr. Elaine Wallace, University Registrar presents her with her First Class Honours Bachelor of Education in Business and Computer Studies (Business Studies).
(RIGHT) FACULTY OF ENGINEERING AND COMPUTING: A happy Megan Hutchinson accepts her Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Dr. Elaine Wallace, University Registrar which she achieved with First Class Honours.
(LEFT) FACULTY OF LAW: First Class Honours graduate Jason Chockelal accepts his Bachelor of Law from Dr. Elaine Wallace, University Registrar.
(RIGHT) FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND SPORT: Dr. Elaine Wallace, University Registrar (right) presents Tashana Thomas with her Bachelor of Science in Forensic Chemistry achieved with First Class Honours.
MASTERS GRADUATES
Dr. Elaine Wallace, University Registrar presents Masters degrees to graduates from left, Paul Slowley who achieved the Master of Science in Information Systems Management (Project Management), Faculty of Science and Computing and Andrea Tulloch-Davis from the Faculty of Education and Liberal Studies who was awarded the Master of Education in Educational Leadership and Management.
Masters graduates accept their degrees from Dr. Elaine Wallace, University Registrar. From left are Shardae Hoilett, Master of Architecture, Faculty of The Built Environment, Franklyn Spencer, Master of Public Health, School of Public Health and Health Technology and Kevin O’Brien, Master of Philosophy in Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Sport.
Congratulations to the University of Technology, Jamaica Graduating Class of 2016!
Contact:
Michelle Beckford (Mrs.)
Corporate Communications Manager
University of Technology, Jamaica
Telephone: 970-5299
Email: mbeckford@utech.edu.jm