Some two Thousand five hundred and fifty four persons graduated with Bachelors, certificates, diplomas and higher degrees from the University of the West Indies, Moan Campus. Of that number 161 graduates have been awarded their degrees with first class honours. Chancellor of the UWI, Sir George Alleyne, in his address said that it was clear that the University is taking seriously its function of teaching and examining as judged by the student numbers. Total enrolment at the end of the academic year 2002/2003 stood at 11676, an increase of 4.7 over the previous year. He said that it was pleasing to note that enrolment in the postgraduate programmes was 2112, which represented an increase of 12.3% over the previous year. Postgraduate enrolment for 2002/2003 was 22.3% of total on-campus enrolment.
The Chancellor also congratulated the graduates and directed a few words to their parents and relatives. He said “as parents and relatives you should feel justly proud of the achievements of your loved ones. I believe that pride is mixed with a feeling of relief that you have come to the end of a journey, as I am sure many of you have been more than spectators to the trials and tribulations that are a part and parcel of this journey. I wish you to enjoy this day and hope that in some measure you have yourself been improved by the educational experience of the new graduate. He urged them “to maintain contact with the University and be concerned with what it does and the public image it presents”.
Honorary Degrees were presented at the two ceremonies. The Governor General of Jamaica, His Excellency the Most Honourable Sir Howard Cooke and Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Carlton Davis, received the Doctor of Laws Degree at Friday’s ceremony while Communications Consultant, Barbara Gloudon received the Doctor of Letters and Professor Herbert Sewell received the Doctor of Science degree at the ceremony on Saturday.