Achievements and impact

Speech by His Excellency the Governor-General, Sir Howard Cooke, at the University of the West Indies graduation ceremony Friday, November 7, 2003

* Sir George Alleyne -Chancellor
* Sir Shridath Ramphal - Chancellor Emeritus
* Professor the Hon Rex Nettleford - Vice Chancellor
* Distinguished Colleagues on the platform
* Members of the Academic Staff
* Honourable Ministers of Government
* Members of the Judiciary
* Members of the Diplomatic Corps
* Members of the Graduating Class
* Brothers and sisters all -

Chancellor of the University of the West Indies, Sir George Alleyne (left) confers the Honorary Doctor of Laws degree on Governor-General, Sir Howard Cooke at the institution's graduation ceremony on its Mona campus in St. Andrew on Friday, November 7. Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Carlton Davis, was also conferred with a similar degree.

IT IS true that for many of us, later events this evening are more important than the preliminary exercises. Nevertheless I ask you to indulge me so that I may have an opportunity to express a few remarks relative to the development of our country in general and to this institution in particular.

But first, please allow me to express thanks and appreciation for the honour that has been conferred on me, and my distinguished colleagues. I know that I do not speak only for myself when I say that such a distinction, coming from one of the Caribbean's most noble institution, will be held among our most prized treasures.

THE HISTORY OF THE CARIBBEAN

However, I would be remiss if I failed to offer the congratulation of the government and people of Jamaica to our new Chancellor, Sir George Alleyne. You are a son of the Caribbean of whom we can all be proud. You have indelibly marked the developmental process in the region and we know that your impact on the University of the West Indies, in your new capacity, will be no less outstanding. But please allow me to refer just briefly, to the history of the Caribbean generally and to Jamaica in particular.

It is my duty to remind all of us here of our great past when the Caribbean supplied resources that laid the foundation for the development of Europe. At one time it was fashionable for the rich of Europe to boast of their great houses and lands in the West Indies.

Jamaica was by far the most important colony of the British Empire and was one of the outposts that the English vied with each other to come to serve.

Undoubtedly, if Port Royal was the most infamous, it was indeed the richest city in the world. Is it any wonder then that Jamaica was the second place in the world that trains operated? Maybe some of you are not aware that there was running water in Falmouth and electricity in Black River when New York was as yet under-developed.

Even as slaves, our vigour, vitality and energy were such that we were not only productive, we demonstrated such will against wrong that it was impossible to subordinate us even when we were in chains.

But let me skip the early periods of our struggles and the fight for justice and freedom. I will not mention Cudjoe and Nanny and Bogle, or Sam Sharpe and George William Gordon. I will not even dwell on the circumstances that changed the Caribbean, starting from the 1930's.

It is our successes, achievements and impact of this great institution that I want to focus on for the next few minutes. This is where I believe we can draw inspiration to take our country and indeed our region forward over the next fifty years.

I wish to concentrate on the period that covered the existence of this great institution that has played such a vital role in the great social revolution that has taken place during the last fifty years or so.

Led by men of vision who were committed, with a passion for progress and change, this institution has contributed to the intellectual, spiritual and social changes that have made us a people with a difference.

I do remember Gibraltar Camp, the wooden building, the bamboo huts that covered the grounds, it is achievements of our sons and daughters that are most impressive.

The impact of the graduates on every phrase of our lives is obvious. The institution has produced presidents, governor-general, prime ministers, permanent secretaries, directors, administrators, managers, leaders in communication, agriculture, engineering, architecture, education etcetera.

Let me say here that our achievements can be attributed to several sources including the commingling of the genes of our ancestors from Africa, Asia and Europe which have produced a dynamic people.

GREAT NATION

Without any doubt we have a great nation. One has but to look at our achievements in education, sports, in science and technology, in culture, in international relationships to see this.

Here at the University of the West Indies there are several persons whom we can cite for their contribution to our progress. In this milieu of changes and progress we will not forget great leaders like Arthur Lewis, Phillip Sherlock, A.Z. Preston, Alister McIntyre, Rex Nettleford and Shridath Ramphal.

We will remember ­

* Professor Sir Fitzroy Augier, Professor Elsa Goveia, Professor Douglas Hall for their attempt to put Caribbean History in its true perspective and who were major forces in the transformation of West Indian History to a major area of study and research;

* The Hon Rex Nettleford OM - a name synonymous with culture in Jamaica;

* Professor the Hon. Sir John Golding, OJ, a great orthopaedic surgeon who was key to containing the polio epidemic that hit Jamaica in the 1950's;

* Sir Kenneth Standard, CD, one of the earliest students at the University College of the West Indies whose work in public health and preventative medicine has had worldwide impact;

* Professor the Hon. Hugh Wynter, OJ, CD - an outstanding and much loved obstetrician and gynaecologist whose teaching, research and service in fertility management has touch the lives of so many;

* Professor Wilfred Chan, CD, whose name is intricately linked with organic chemistry in the Caribbean;