KINGSTON – Prime Minister Andrew Holness, yesterday became the 18th Head of Government to be inducted into the Park of Honour located at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona.
Established in 2005, the park honours UWI graduates who have been or are serving as CARICOM Heads of Government.
The Prime Minister, who holds a Master of Science in Development Studies and a Bachelor of Science in Management Studies from UWI, thanked his alma mater for bestowing him with the honour of inscribing his name at the monument at the park. He said he was very humbled by the gesture.
Holness is the youngest Prime Minister to have graduated from UWI Mona and the 23rd graduate of the UWI to be installed as a Head of Government.
In his remarks, Pro Vice Chancellor and Principal of the Mona campus, Professor Archibald McDonald, hailed Holness as one of the “greatest champions for learning and education”.
He noted that Holness has distinguished himself as a leader who recognises the importance and transformative effect of a solid education and the opportunity it provides to enhance economic growth.
“The UWI is pleased to applaud the work of one of our most distinguished graduates, who has continued to fight for the rights of all to enjoy the many benefits and opportunities provided by a sound education,” he said.
“I hope that the legacy you continue to build is one that reinforces to current and future students that education is the key and that their dreams and aspirations can be achieved with hard work, commitment and a sound educational foundation,” he added.
Professor McDonald also thanked the Prime Minister for continuing to support the development of UWI, Mona.
In the meantime, Vice Chancellor for UWI, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, credited the “first-class education” the Prime Minister received at UWI for the quality leadership he has been demonstrating.
He also commended the Prime Minister for his commitment to economic and social growth.
Before becoming Prime Minister, Holness distinguished himself as Minister of Education, where he undertook fundamental reforms to the system.
These include the establishment of institutions such as the Jamaica Teaching Council; the National Education Trust; the National Education Inspectorate; National College for Education Leadership; the Centres of Excellence Programme; and the Alternative Secondary Transition Education Programme (ASTEP), designed to support students falling behind in general education.
Also, to his credit was the introduction of the Career Advancement Programme (CAP) – a post-secondary technical and vocational training programme for unattached youth.
Among the dignitaries in attendance were former Prime Ministers Edward Seaga and Bruce Golding; Opposition Leader, Dr Peter Phillips; government ministers; and members of the diplomatic corps. (JIS)
