Make Vision 2030 reality, Whiteman urges graduands
Published:Monday | December 6, 2010 | 12:00 AM
Nedburn Thaffe, Gleaner Writer
Former education minister and chairman of the board of the Commonwealth of Learning, Burchell Whiteman, on Saturday charged a group of Mico University College graduands to help Jamaica achieve Vision 2030.
"As persons imbued with the Miconian principles of responsibility in leadership, we must recognise the imperative of contributing to national development.
"I happen to believe that we can, in the next 20 years, live out the vision which is expressed in Jamaica's development plan," he said.
Whiteman, guest speaker at the university's graduation ceremony, was one of two eminent Jamaican educators who were conferred with honorary doctorates at the event.
The other honouree was Dr Alfred Sangster, former principal of the College of Arts, Science and Technology (now University of Technology) and former chairman of Citizens' Action for Free and Fair Elections, an election watchdog.
"It is with preservation and strengthening of the core values of the Mico tradition that we must look, as we contemplate and pursue the 2030 vision for our country," he said, as he implored the graduating class to use their professional and technical skills as they ventured into the world of work.
Vision 2030 is the national development road map which aims to chart Jamaica's path to developed-country status. It outlines critical steps that are needed to ensure Jamaica becomes the place of choice to live, work, raise families and do business.
Uplift those around them
On Saturday, Whiteman urged the graduating class not to forfeit their responsibility to uplift those around them by lifting the standard of conduct in public life, corporate behaviour, and by showing genuine respect for all.
"In a real sense, the quality of relationships between the so-called privileged, and the rest, can make a major difference in the success or failure of all the policies or initiatives of government and social actors.
"It is my sincere hope that those of us who say thanks to The Mico University College this evening will resolve to make tomorrow better for us all. We must make our individual and institutional contribution to leading our country towards the realisation of the vision for 2030," he said.
The graduating class comprised more than 100 students drawn from the Faculty of Education and Liberal Arts, and the Faculty of Humanities.