More than 3200 members of The University of the West Indies Mona Campus’ Class of 2013 were presented and officially welcomed into the society of graduates by Chancellor Sir George Alleyne during four ceremonies on November 1 and 2.
 
The colourful and solemn ceremonies were marked by the procession of Graduates, the procession of Academics and senior administrative staff, and finally the Chancellor's procession which included all campus principals, pro vice chancellors, the Chair of the Mona Campus Council, honorary graduand, Deans and other members of the University hierarchy. The University Singers and the UWI Panordim Steel Orchestra provided entertainment.
 
Sir George Alleyne, in his speech noted that the percentage of males graduating – some 25.6% – is on the increase and is at its highest level in years. Also on the increase is the number of post graduate degrees and diplomas. At 873, the number of postgraduates has more than doubled over the previous year. Research degrees also recorded an increase, he noted, as 59 were awarded this year compared with 36 in 2012.  
 
Of the 3234 students graduating, 2505 graduated with undergraduate degrees and 729 with postgraduate degrees, the UWI Chancellor announced.   He congratulated the 227 undergraduates who were awarded First Class Honors and the 72 post graduates who were awarded Distinctions.  He noted that the majority of graduates – some -754, - continues to be in the Social Sciences, and that the medical graduates were second with 411. 
 
Sir George noted The UWI Mona campus’ contribution to the nation’s and the region’s human capital pointing out that over the over the past 10 years the Campus had graduated 21,000 persons with first degrees.He also noted The UWI Mona’s philanthropic contributions to needy students. In 2013, the Campus gave 689 schoarships, 404 bursaries and 107 grants through the Office of Student Financing, and in total has provided J$ 540 million to needy students, including meals. 
 
The Chancellor recalled some of the milestones in the past academic year, including the roll out of e-book services allowing select Faculties to access required books and programme-related material more affordably and more cost-effectively.  Sir George also mentioned the Mona School of Business and Management’s launch of its e-book packages on the Jamaican designed tablet, SmartTab 9 IPS; the launch of an e-services park which will provide employment opportunities for students and the newly established Academic Support Unit which reached over 5000 students, including garnering some J$350,000 worth of food for the Fresh Start Initiative for students during examination periods.
 
The  Chancellor urged graduates to serve as Ambassadors for the University, noting that the sustainabilty of the University as the premier tertiary educational institution in the Caribbean depends in large measure on how graduates comport themselves in the world. He explained that in the places from which The UWI draws its students and  public support, perception of graduates will be a critcal metric of assessment of the university.  “It is not only the number of Ministers, Prime Ministers and Governors General whom we count among our alumni, proud as we are of them, but it is also the competence in the myriad jobs you will occupy and the many new businesss you entrepreneurs will form that will carry weight on how your alma mater is regarded,” he noted.
 
He urged graduates to give back to the university and to take an active part in the Alumni Associations and various councils of the University.
Honorary degrees were conferred on four outstanding persons. They are, Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws (LLD) conferred on Professor Emeritus Barry Higman; Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws (LLD) conferred uon Ms. Janet Rollé, Media & Marketing Executive and former Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for CNN Worldwide; Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters (DLitt)conferred on  Mr. Noel Dexter, Consultant in Choral Music, composer and musical director; Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters (DLitt) conferred on Mrs. Valerie Facey, Founder and director of The Mill Press, and Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws (LLD) on Mr. R. Danny Williams, Jamaican entrepreneur and philanthropist.
 
The 2013 Valedictorians are Janelle David of the Faculty of Humanities & Education, Olivia Derrett of the Faculty of Law and Keva Taylor and Shoyea-Gaye Grant of the Faculty of Social Sciences. The Graduating Class of 2013 joins a global family of more than 120,000 UWI graduates who serve with distinction in almost every field.