The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill campus has named O’Neil Simpson its 2006 Ambassador to represent the campus in a number of regional and international meetings and fora. The award, given for the first time in the campus’ history, recognizes Simpson’s stellar achievements as a student leader and in becoming the 2006 World’s Individual Public Speaking Champion at the World’s Universities and Colleges Debating Championships in Dublin, Ireland earlier this year.
Principal of Cave Hill, Professor Hilary Beckles, said establishment of the ambassadorship continues Cave Hill’s fine tradition of celebrating and rewarding excellence and hoped it serves to inspire other students to excel similarly on the international stage.
The ambassadorial posting elevates Simpson’s profile as an exemplar of the UWI Cave Hill’s enviable academic tradition and underscores the opportunities and activities available to nurture excellence and leadership among students and graduates of the campus.
During his tenure, Simpson will be an official representative for the campus in regional and international conferences, other fora, and meetings, particularly those in the UWI-12 countries – a grouping soon to be renamed – to encourage their collective and continued buy-in in the campus’s vision of development and competitive excellence.
He also pledged to use his ambassadorial tenure to highlight the outreach work of students, including his own literacy rehabilitation and general lifestyle development in his native Jamaica.