It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to the Faculty of Social Sciences (FSS), the home of the Tigers. From wherever you are coming, and whatever your route to matriculation, Heartiest Congratulations and Welcome!
You are joining a Faculty with a proud history and enduring legacy. Over the past 65 years, and through our various Departments and programmes, we have produced some of Jamaica’s and the Region’s finest behavioural specialists, economists, business leaders, and government officials, among others. Whatever you have been accepted to study, we are well equipped to provide you with an excellent teaching and learning experience and overall rewarding and enriching experience. You certainly made the right choice.
We expect you to make the best use of this opportunity to pursue your degree, and we look forward to partnering with you right through to graduation. We trust that you will embrace the virtues of strength, determination and resilience that are generally associated with the tiger. During this exciting journey, we urge you to explore courses from other Faculties as long as it is possible. This will help to broaden and equip you with important cross-disciplinary perspectives needed to adequately address the interconnected challenges of the very globalized world in which we live. And, while you are studying, please make sure to take advantage of the myriad opportunities for personal growth and development provided by the available extracurricular activities. So, step out of your comfort zones and get involved!
In the age of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Generative AI which afford us many opportunities, you will be required to be responsible and ethical in its use. Academic integrity is a critical value that you MUST uphold, along with deep respect for The UWI’s rules, regulations, and policies. Self-respect and the respect for others will also be expected, and so too self-directedness/direction. You will be expected to manage your time effectively, KNOW the rules of your programme, and be intimate with your various course outlines and required readings. Remember that while the Faculty will be your ally along the journey, YOU, ultimately, are in charge of your destiny and progress, provided your mental health and wellbeing are in tact. If at any time you begin to feel overwhelmed, do not hesitate to seek help. The UWI Health Centre provides professional counselling services, but you may also reach out to one of your lecturers or academic advisors. Don’t ever think that you are alone on this journey!
Once again, welcome to the Faculty! We look forward to getting to know each and every one of you, equipping you with the knowledge and skills required in your respective fields, and seeing you through to graduation.
Dr Heather Ricketts
Dean, FSS
