X Graduation Ceremony Of Sir Arthur Lewis Community College

Permit me to adopt the protocol that has already been established.

It is indeed my honor, and on behalf of the Board of Governors to welcome you to the x graduation ceremony of Sir Arthur Lewis Community College.

You have anticipated this day with varying emotions; some of you are excited, some anxious and others simply relieved! Irrespective of the emotions stirred within you, you will all agree that today will evoke a sense of pride, a sense of purpose and accomplishment. You have made it! Certainly, today’s celebration would not have been possible had it not been for the support, sacrifice and love of your parents, family members, peers and faculty for which I am certain you feel a sense of tremendous gratitude. (They certainly deserve

This will create greater access to higher education so that many more students can acquire the requisite skills to make a meaningful contribution towards the development of our country.

Investment in higher education is necessary if we are to establish a foundation that supports the development of Saint Lucia’s human capital, and the sustainability of national, economic and social growth. The quality of knowledge created within SALCC and its availability to the wider economy is critical to our national competitiveness. This should not be new to us, as our own Sir Arthur Lewis stated many years ago that “The fundamental cure for poverty is not money but knowledge”. The time for less talk and more action to create visionaries of the 21st century is now, and not later.

The Board of Governors is focused on measures critical to driving the operational efficiency of the college in order to create an educated and skilled workforce capable of attracting high end paying

In fact, in excess of 15 years! Can we afford to continue talking? Most of the students in today’s graduating class were merely 3 years old when these reformation discussions commenced. The last 15 years saw innovations like Google, Apple’s iPhone, Facebook, WI FI, Instagram, Twitter, the world’s first Artificial Pancreas, Gene Therapy Technology and Stem Cell Research. As an institution, we must ensure that we offer a quality and relevant education that will position our graduates to be leaders, innovators and trend setters. Graduates who will successfully blend into this global community and make a distinct impact. We want to provide an opportunity for as many graduates here today to return to SALCC with a view to commencing a degree Programme. The Board will ensure that every penny invested delivers the intended benefits at maximum efficiency while we build a university college where everyone is a winner, students, faculty, administrative staff and the St Lucian