'Go, and be heroes!'

Erica Virtue, Senior Gleaner WriterThe first cohort of graduates of the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona's Faculty of Social Sciences Weekend Programme have been challenged to go out and be heroes.
Professor Phillip Musa, a lecturer in management information systems and quantitative methods at the School of Business, University of Birmingham in Alabama, United States, issued the challenge to the graduates last week as he noted that the country and the world need more heroes.
Speaking at last weekend's graduating ceremony at the Mona Visitors' Lodge, Musa said the students were already heroes for selecting the weekend programme and for sticking to the task over the past four years.
Musa told the graduating class that he was born in a place in Africa where there was no first grade in his village, and children had to be boarded in a separate village to attend school, or walk seven miles each day as six-year-olds.
He said while he hated the long walk, it was the best gift his father gave him.
GREAT OPPORTUNITY
According to Musa, the UWI Weekend Programme graduates were lucky to have such an opportunity.
"We should never forget those who are not able to make it, because not everyone who starts out in life is able to make it to their preferred destination.
"We are counting on you to be heroes. National heroes come from all walks of life, so go out and be heroes," Musa charged.
He presented each graduate with token gifts of US$2, a pen, a key ring and his business card.
For his part, the dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Dr Evan Duggan, said the occasion was a watershed in the history of the UWI.
"This was a specially designed programme for the students, which allowed them to balance their work and come to school on weekends when most of us were doing other things," said Duggan.
"Here you are the pioneer group of this fantastic programme. We look forward to you carrying the flag and being ambassadors," added Duggan.
He praised retired former dean Professor Mark Figueroa, who did significant work to giving the programme its first step - the concept.
Lecturers in the programme were saluted for their tutelage during the four years, with special praise to the programme's coordinator Kayann Henry.
BROUGHT EASE TO LEARNING
One graduate, Tricia Anderson, in her testimonial said the programme brought an ease to learning.
"There was a more complete approach to the acquisition of knowledge. The convenience of having to come to school only one day, having smaller class settings (one-on-one learning) and flexible tuition payment plan were some of the many reasons I am so happy I chose the Weekend Programme," said Anderson.
"Without a doubt, I would recommend others to come and join the Faculty of Social Sciences Weekend Programme which in due time, I'm hoping, will increase the number of programmes offered," she said.
Another graduate, Ossain Jones, likened his fours years to being on his first aeroplane ride. He spoke of a bumpy ride with some turbulence, but eventually cruising at high altitude and a safe landing.
"It allowed (me) time during the week for other obligations to be satisfied. I did not have to give up some critical activities that I was involved in during the week to accommodate school. I got to do school and everything else," said Jones.
The Faculty of Social Sciences at the UWI Mona Campus introduced the Weekend Programme in August 2009 with the objective of expanding enrolment and meeting the growing needs of the community.
Classes were held only on Saturdays with the degree attainable in four years.
Two degree programmes were offered initially; a Bachelor of Science in Banking and Finance and a Bachelor of Science in Management Studies (Accounting).