“Universities should not be judged by their size but by the quality and accomplishments of its graduates, the degree to which it contributes to the frontiers of knowledge through original and applied research, and what value it provides to the intellectual and material growth of the societies in which the University is posited,” said Vice Chancellor Nigel Harris while addressing over 4,000 undergraduate students, at the Campus’s annual Matriculation ceremony.

He also advised that it is never sufficient to rest on a record of past successes. “The sustained growth of Caribbean societies and of other countries to which you will go, the assurance of our resilience as a people will primarily depend on you – You are our next generation of leaders, managers, or just people committed to doing a good days’ work; you must be the contributors to the development and transformation of our region,” he said.

The Vice Chancellor then outlined three points regarding the university’s commitment to stay abreast of change and to assure students of a first class education. He emphasized that; Education is shared; Education is broad; and Education will not end with receipt of a degree.

Regarding shared education he advised that students were beginning a partnership with the university. “Your teachers are partnering with you to learn – indeed, if this works, even your teachers should learn from you. You have as much, if not more, responsibility for the growth of your knowledge and understanding than do your teachers. For every hour of a teacher’s time with you, there will be several more that you must spend to acquire and master the knowledge in your chosen discipline,” he said.

On the issue of education, the Vice-Chancellor advised “because the years you spend here will be the best opportunity in your lives to interact with peers and teachers who are just as bright and talented as you are. Get to know each other; engage in debates and discussions about all subjects of the day that interest you; do some soul searching together; network with teachers, staff, and people in the community. It is in this way that you will acquire a broad based and valuable understanding of your community and the world in which you live.”

Finally, he stated that, “Education will not end with the receipt of a degree. Our world is evolving rapidly and what you learn today will be largely obsolete in ten to twenty years time – indeed, many of you will move on to other fields, other endeavours, take on new initiatives that will require you to keep learning and mastering new information. Part of our University’s business is to assist you to learn to keep learning.”

In closing he spoke of the importance of “creativity” and “innovation” needed in our society to compete effectively. He appealed to the matriculating class, “that you not only use products but that you build them; that you not only provide services but that you own service companies; that you look forward not only to becoming employed but that you become employers. It is only with producers, owners and employers that our societies can lift itself into a viable future.”

Matriculating students received the Vice Chancellor warmly.