The University College of the Cayman Islands (UCCI) hosted its highly anticipated annual Convocation Ceremony on Thursday, September 28th , at the Sir Vassel Johnson Hall. The event, attended by esteemed guests including the Deputy Premier, Minister for Education and Minister for District Administration & Lands, the Honorable Juliana O’Connor-Connolly and the Honorable Kenneth Bryan, Minister for Tourism and Ports, faculty, students, and sponsors, marked a momentous occasion for the class of 2023.

The Honours Convocation recognises students who have earned at least nine credits in the preceding term and have been named to the president’s list, meaning they have achieved a semester GPA of 3.75 or higher, or the dean’s list, for those with a GPA of 3.5-3.74 (dean’s list). Over 150 students made the list this year, showing the high standard of achievement and dedication to their studies, present within students at the University College of the Cayman Islands. 

Special awards were also given to students who have achieved the highest cumulative GPA in their respective programmes.

Students and special guests were treated to a prestigious sit-down dinner which culminated in the presentation of awards. This year’s ceremony was also made possible thanks to the support of many Cayman businesses who support the UCCI students through their studies and sponsored awards on the evening. These include Health City, Tech Cayman, The Alex Panton Foundation, KPMG, Cayman National Corporation Ltd, Cayman Islands Civil Service Association Co-operative Credit Union, Rotary Central Cayman Islands, Cayman Islands Institute of Professional Accounts (CIIPA), CFA Society Cayman, Cayman Islands Society of HR Professionals (CISHRP), PROVEN, Cayman Islands Marketing Professional Association (CIMPA), Ernst & Young Cayman Islands, Consolidated Water Company Ltd, Corporate Electric Ltd, Androgroup Ltd, The Kiwanis Club of Grand Cayman, BDO Cayman Ltd, DART and Greenlight.

Dr. Robert W. Robertson, President & CEO of UCCI, commented, “UCCI’s Convocation Ceremony is a very important event designed to recognize and celebrate student success and student excellence. Our class of 2023 is proof that UCCI is more than a place where community members can learn a skill. It is an institution of higher learning that provides students with learning opportunities that enable individuals to be globally competitive and economically independent. With that as our mission, we not only teach skills; we cultivate entrepreneurs. 

“Our students are graduating at a time when skills are the new currency, and they are the key to driving the technological engines that our country and indeed the world are fueled by.”

“I would also like to take this opportunity to publicly thank UCCI management, staff, and faculty for taking this institution to unprecedented heights over the past year. For the first time in our history, we have been recognized as a Computing Technology Industry Association’s (CompTIA) learning partner; UCCI has successfully completed an accreditation exercise with our UK accreditor ASIC. In that exercise 6 of 8 categories were identified by the accreditor as commendable. UCCI was also recognized as a National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) training facility for industry and future craftsmen. UCCI received a major grant of more than 1.1 million Euros from the European Union to advance sustainability and green campus and community initiatives. Receiving these recognitions at a time when the world is changing, shows that UCCI is moving in the right direction.” 

Following Dr. Robertson’s address, the presentation of awards commenced, celebrating the remarkable achievements of students from various disciplines. The recipients of the Dean’s and President’s Lists for Fall 2022 and Spring 2023 were recognized, applauding their dedication to academic excellence and then the highest achievers from each directorate took to the stage.

The evening culminated in a special thanks to all supporting organizations who give their time and money to assist young Caymanians in their studies.