University life sometimes seems like a balancing act. Juggling assignments, catching up on sleep and having a social life can be a struggle. ​ That’s where good friends come in. Tag the squad who are getting you through this semester. #BeUWI​

And, just like that, #UWISTAGrad2021 is a wrap! We’ve had an amazing time and we hope you’ve enjoyed this year’s event as much as we have. Thank you for celebrating with us. Congratulations to the UWI St. Augustine Class of 2021!!! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

“Little did we know that all this training would be put to good use close to the end of our degree, when we went through trials, tribulations and tears to help others in the midst of a devastating pandemic. A prelude to life in the medical field. Through it all, we came out stronger […] To my fellow graduands, we know who we are. We know what we are capable of and, now, it is time to show society exactly who the class of 2021 really is! We are medical professionals, essential workers; doctors, nurses, optometrists, pharmacists, dentists, vets, an entire army of youth that is unafraid to take chances” - Ryley Vernon, Valedictorian of the Faculty of Medical Sciences #UWISTAGrad2021

“Dare to be Caribbean. When I was younger, I felt something perhaps many of us may have experienced—a contempt for my Caribbeanness. There was this lack of recognition and appreciation and more than that, a denial of self, because to be authentically Caribbean is to be ourselves.  At UWI, within this pressure cooker for learning, I found the courage to embrace my callaloo people. To quote Minshall, I discovered that, “The things we do best are worthy of Hallelujahs.” […] Dare to be unapologetic as you live your truth and you take up space. We were indoctrinated into a hierarchical world of scarcity but there is abundance. Dare to grow and make them hear you!” - Rondell Mungal, Valedictorian of the Faculty of Humanities and Education #UWISTAGrad2021

"Our Caribbean Civilization is as great as any other. Some may describe it as “relatively young” but, like anything youthful, it is vibrant and chockfull of potential. As people of the Caribbean, The UWI and all that it embodies is one of the greatest accomplishments we have – both as a unifying force across the Region and in terms of education and research post-colonization. […] Truthfully, these last three years at this West Indian University and, in particular, in this Faculty of Social Sciences, have revealed to me just how much more work we have to do. But, this cohort of UWI graduates is keen on greater empowerment of women, on breaking the shackles of patriarchy and supporting gender justice, on dismantling the vestiges of colonialism, on advancing the call for reparations and reparatory justice, on supporting and facilitating Caribbean Integration, on developing the Caribbean in a more equitable and sustainable manner, and on challenging economic and other inequalities" - Jensen Samaroo, Valedictorian of the Faculty of Social Sciences #UWISTAGrad2021

“I hope you know you can achieve anything to which you set your minds. No matter what was thrown in your paths to stifle your progress, you were able to push past those barriers and conquer it all! You were all disciplined, focused, and motivated. It is my hope that these qualities remain with you for the rest of your lives. Whenever you are faced with a difficult issue or decision, I want you to look back to this time, when you endured a multitude of pressures and failures, and recall how you overcame every adversity, and the feeling of fulfilment when you finally succeeded” ~ Weston Maharaj, Valedictorian of the Faculty of Social Sciences #UWISTAGrad2021

"Because our experience of academic life was both on campus as well as online: adaptability is now our middle name. Many take a lifetime to learn and internalise this soft skill! Our experiences have bolstered our capacity to be adaptable, no longer can rigidity shackle us to conform to society’s mould. We are evolutionary! […] The future is beaming brightly for us as our university motto - “A Light Rising from the West”, so aptly captures our essence. Wherever your endeavours take you, seek to recall and implement your inner determination, the patience with which you have been infused, and the adaptability you inherently possess. Go forth and shine your light! Be a Change Maker!" - Selena Mohammed, Valedictorian of the Faculties of Engineering and Law #UWISTAGrad2021

Looking forward to more. The UWI St. Augustine 2021 Graduation Ceremonies continue at 4:00pm today with the airing of the virtual ceremonies of the Faculties of Engineering and Law. Tune in to @uwitv to watch live. Click the link in our bio to view the livestream #BTS #UWISTAGrad2021

“While the chemists among us may disagree, I believe that the carbon atoms from which we are made are more strongly bonded than in any group of graduates who have come and gone before us. We are not made of the same material as others. We have been tested, pushed to the breaking point, and the limit of our potential was sought. The mathematicians among us know there is no greater proof than this past year and a half to know that that limit does not exist. We are uniquely prepared and positioned to confront the problems of tomorrow.” Joshua Ramjattan, Valedictorian of the Faculties of Science and Technology and Food and Agriculture #UWISTAGrad2021

"If I were to succeed while hearing paralysing sounds of gunfire, the echoes of my purpose needed to become far louder." Chelsea Romilly describes how she accomplished her goal to "dare to be greater than I was before" in our latest edition of 'Grad Stories'. Read her inspiring submission below (click the link in our bio for the full story). "Over these last three years, I undertook a journey that would serve as the beginning of my life’s purpose. Today, I have reaped the first fruit of my success as a proud graduate of the University of the West Indies. However, this journey was far from easy. It was one that required me to develop grit, endurance, and resiliency as I not only faced the agony of an ongoing war within my community, but a war on stereotypes and a war within my mind. These wars are a part of my success story. One became a powerful source of motivation, one a powerful source of determination and the other, a debilitating source of self-doubt. Each, however, led me to form my own formula for success. I came to realise that if I were to succeed while battling my inner and outer demons, I needed to be far more relentless in my fight for success and personal growth. If I were to succeed while hearing paralysing sounds of gunfire, the echoes of my purpose needed to become far louder. If I were to succeed and shatter the stereotypes placed on me and so many others living in my community, I needed to don an armour of sheer will and determination! My formula thus became more complex than the one provided to me when I was younger. I recognised that it needed to be more than just hard work. Instead, it was a confluence of self-motivation, sacrifice, perseverance, determination, affirmation, family/peer support, God’s unwavering grace, and my desire to help produce the changes that I envision for my community and others. It was also in part due to tears, because a good cry certainly does go a long way! Overall, it was through this formula that I was able to rise and dare to be greater than I was before" #UWISTAGrad2021

"No one knows your battles and your capabilities. So be proud of yourself and all your victories, even the small ones, because you fought hard to achieve them." Kristel Ramkissoon knows a thing or two about hard fought victories. Many can relate to facing an onslaught of new unique challenges introduced by a pandemic which compounded old ones. Kristel’s story of perseverance includes the belief and persistence of a mother who just wouldn’t let her quit, and her own indomitable spirit, which ensured that she didn’t quit on her family or on her own dreams. Read her ‘Grad Stories’ submission below (click the link in our bio for the full story). "I got my bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering! Very early into this programme I was clued-in by lecturers and others around the faculty that this was one of the hardest and most time-consuming programmes. However, I did not let the warnings sway me. I soon learned this was by no means an exaggeration. Classes took place daily, starting at 8am and ending at 4pm on most days. This meant I had to travel from South every day. My loving family of four faced various challenges, but my mom - the sole breadwinner - insisted I get my degree despite all the odds. In my first year, I tried the daily commute. This caused me to fail a course. That class was usually at the end of the day and I’d had to miss it to catch the bus or a ride, to get home. In my second year, it was decided that I would rent an apartment close to campus. This led to its own challenges. Why, you might ask? Well, when I lived at home, I took up the responsibility of caring for my siblings while my mom worked. I would help care for my older sister who has been experiencing medical complications due to an autoimmune disease which leaves her bedridden most times. In my final year, we discovered that she also has blood and heart disorders. I would sometimes assist my younger brother, now a form 3 student, with school. Leaving home meant the responsibility would all go back to mom. Nevertheless, she kept insisting!" #UWISTAGrad2021

“After many tests and doctor visits, I was diagnosed with three degenerative, incurable diseases. I felt as though I was at my lowest… This was my new normal” Faith and perseverance are no panacea for debilitating illness, but graduand Renelle Lovell shares how they can be key ingredients in successfully reaching personal milestones of achievement in the face of challenging odds. Read her Grad Stories’ submission below (click the link in our bio for the full story). "Faith, discipline, determination, persistence, endurance, and patience describe my journey. It started off as an exciting quest but took an unexpected turn. Back in 2017, I was thrilled to be accepted into UWI, and to be breaking boundaries and setting new standards. I was fortunate to learn extensively from knowledgeable lectures such as Professor Winston Suite, Dr. Ruel Ellis, Dr. Joseph Khan, Professor Kit Fi Pun, Mr. Outridge, and the late Mr. Andre Taitt, who went above and beyond to assist students in the clarity, practicality, and understanding of the information. There was never a dull moment; from classroom to exam room, the first year flew, and we anxiously awaited results. Thankfully, I successfully passed all of my courses and anticipated the same for the next year. In year two (2018), things changed dramatically. During my first semester, I began to feel extremely ill. Things quickly worsened and I was admitted to the hospital. After many tests and doctor visits, I was diagnosed with three degenerative, incurable diseases. I felt as though I was at my lowest. I was released from the hospital, but it was clear that the medical tests and doctor visits were not going to stop. This was my new normal; so, I needed a new action plan. I fervently prayed to be shown the way. Then I contacted the Project Management Unit (within the Faculty of Engineering), informing them of my situation and requesting information on the possible avenues to complete the programme on time. I was adamant on not taking a medical leave of absence. They quickly replied with suggestions, from which I complied a workable plan." #UWISTAGrad2021