Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, a globally renowned economist and current Minister for Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy of Nigeria has been confirmed as the Keynote Speaker of the 2014 International Conference on Ethics, Values and Morality that will be hosted by the University College of the Cayman Islands (UCCI) on March 19 – 21, 2014.

Educated at Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Dr. Okonjo-Iweala is known for her work at the World Bank, where her career as a development economist spanned 21 years. Whilst there she held the post of Vice President, Director and Corporate Secretary.

Perhaps one of Dr. Okonjo-Iweala’s most important global contributions is bringing to the forefront the issue of corruption and need for transparency and accountability in African Countries. Her achievements paved the way for her to serve as Nigeria’s Minister of Finance, where she works relentlessly to fight corruption, initiate transparency regarding the country’s finances and establish economic reform policies to make the economy more hospitable to foreign investment.

Mr. Roy Bodden, UCCI President said, “While the University College of the Cayman Islands has  developed  a reputation for its excellent Conferences and the calibre of  Keynote Speakers it attracts , this next Conference takes us to new heights. It is a tribute to Conference Director Dr. Livingston Smith, his hard working and dedicated Organising Committee, the University College and its associates, that the Nigerian Finance Minister and former World Bank Director, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has graciously accepted the University College’s invitation to be next year’s Conference Keynote Speaker.

To be able to attract a person of such eminence speaks volumes of the respect accorded to UCCI as an institution of higher learning as such invitations are not accepted without proper due diligence being done.  As  President, I wish to record my gratitude to the Board ,the institutions which are partnering with UCCI on this Conference and of course the many sponsors and well-wishers.

Corporate Cayman and the general public can feel justly proud that this college ,which a few years ago was suffering from a ‘crisis of confidence’, is finally demonstrating its resilience and value to Caymanian society.  These are not achievements which could happen without divine providence and I make no apologies in proclaiming that thanks be to God, UCCI is demonstrating its worth to the Caymanian community.”

Prospective presenters are being asked to submit a 250-300 word abstract, a 50-word biography, information on university affiliation, if any, and a photograph, if there is no objection to displaying such on the conference website. Deadline for submission is December 31st, 2013. Full papers are due on January 31st, 2014.

For further information, please visit www.ucciconference.ky or contact Dr. Livingston Smith, Conference Director at [email protected] or call 623-0539.