More male graduates in 2016

THE University of the West Indies (UWI), Cave Hill Campus in 2016 has recorded the highest number of male graduates it has had “in the past five years”.

 

Sharing his delight at the increase, Chancellor of the UWI, Sir George Alleyne, disclosed this while addressing last Saturday evening’s 49th graduation ceremony held at the campus. 

 

He pointed out that “31 per cent” of this year’s graduating class, which comprised approximately 1 500 individuals, was male. He also shared that 251 graduates obtained degrees at the postgraduate level. 

 

He further pointed out that there has been a reduction in the numbers of undergraduate students graduating on this occasion. However, he expressed a hope that the numbers will be back up next year.  

 

“The undergraduate numbers represent a 12 per cent reduction from 2014-2015 and the largest number is as usual the Social Sciences, followed by Law. Eighty-one of you obtained First Class honours.”

 

Sir George, in his remarks, also highlighted the role the university has in producing graduates who have completed studies in various disciplines.

 

“I must warn here against any false prophets who would question the production of graduates in large numbers and propose specialisation in a few areas which appear to have the greatest material return. It is the total output of graduates that is critical for development. Perhaps some of this thinking arises from the unfortunate commodification of education that sometimes manifests itself in genuflection to the STEM disciplines which are important, but whose production is not the sole function of a university.” (MG)