University College Celebrates Charter Day

The New President of the University College of the
Cayman Islands, Mr Sam Basdeo, receives the mace,
symbol of authority, from Hon Roy Bodden, JP, Minister
of Education, Human Resources and Culture

Wednesday, September 1, 2004

The Charter Day ceremony, and investiture of the new University College of the Cayman Islands, heralding the change of the Community College of the Cayman Islands to University College status, took place last Saturday, in the College Hall, Olympic Way, George Town.

The proceedings began with the Entrance of the University College Mace, held by Dr. Jennifer Williams. After the processional, conducted to the sound of Beethoven’s ‘Ode to Joy,’ the National Anthem was sung by Georgette Bodden.

Reverend Joseph Crawford then led the assembly in a special prayer.

Professor Carrington, Pro-Vice Chancellor of the University of the West Indies conveyed the apologies of vice-Chancellor, Rex Nettleford, who sent a message that read: “My personal absence from this important development in the educational life of the Cayman Islands by no means suggests any lack of enthusiasm for this initiative, taken by the government and people of the Cayman Islands, to provide for themselves an institution for individual empowerment and national development.”

Minister of Education, Human Resources and Culture the Hon Roy Bodden, said: “It gives me great pleasure, and a sense of satisfaction, as I offer my congratulations on behalf of the Ministry to President Basdeo and his faculty. His efforts were not the timorous etchings of a new and unsure artist, but were the bold strokes of a professional, like a Michelangelo or a Picasso, and it’s of momentous importance that such a picture should be unveiled at this time in the evolution of the society of the Cayman Islands, when education is becoming such an important commodity for our young people.”

Leader of Government Business Hon McKeeva Bush, also gave his congratulations: “Today we mark a historic occasion in these Cayman Islands with the Inauguration of our University College.”

Mr Bush went on to thank all the people who have worked over the years to establish the institution. He applauded the transformation from community college to university college status, “It prepares our people to live in a globalised community,” he said, adding, “In years to come, we will be more than grateful that we have an institution of this caliber.”

HE. the Governor, Bruce Dinwiddy added to the chorus of congratulations, explaining what the change in status will mean in practice: “In addition to its strong vocational programmes, it will also offer four-year bachelor of science programmes in five key disciplines: accounting, management studies, finance, economics, and marketing.”

Mr Dinwiddy continued: “As a graduate of one of Britain’s oldest universities, I wish the college and all who work there every success in the years to come.

“It will bring me great pleasure in a moment to present to the chairman of the board of governors, Danny Scott, the Charter of the University College of the Cayman Islands.”

Mr Scott then came forward to receive the charter from the Governor, which represented the official transformation of the Community College of the Cayman Islands to University College status.

Hon Roy Bodden then took the platform once again, as he explained the significance of the next part of the ceremony during which he would hand the President of the College, Sam Basdeo, the Mace: “The Mace was first used as a weapon, and in ancient times, it was crafted from metal and was so strong that it could break armour.

As history unfolded, it also became a symbol of academia in the new universities, and was used as a symbol of authority of the rector and chancellor of those universities,” he said.

Turning to Mr Basdeo, he said: “Mr President, I invite you now to come forward and receive this mace as a symbol of your authority.”

The new President of the University College of the Cayman Islands then took the platform, for his inaugural speech. “Today we witness the inauguration of our very own university college. It is a red-letter day for all concerned, and it is particularly special to me, as I have had the privilege of guiding this institution from those early humble beginnings,” he said.

Mr Basdeo continued by sharing some of his vision for the institution’s future: “We need to contribute to the competitive edge of the Cayman Islands as a financial centre, by implementing a business institute, and to offer short courses which target special skills for the working population.”
Mr Basdeo went on to say that it was his desire to “increase the number of individuals who are the first ones in their family to attend and succeed at college.”

The formal proceedings of the Convocation Ceremony were followed in the evening by a reception held on the roof of Harbour Place, George Town.

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