Of all the countries in the western hemisphere, those of the English-speaking Caribbean have the lowest higher education enrolment, a situation which, according to Vice Chancellor of the University of the West Indies Sir Hilary Beckles, is negatively impacting the region’s quality of social existence, the dynamism of its economies and the intellectual focus of its politics.

Addressing the graduating class of the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) on Thursday, Sir Hilary said: “You are a minority within a minority…from Alaska to Argentina, we have in the age cohort 18-30 the lowest number of our citizens entering the doors of colleges and universities.”

“We are a society in deep trouble, but your commitment to the cause of higher education gives us hope and confidence in the future.”

Sir Hilary, who received an honorary doctorate at the UVI 2016 commencement, was guest speaker at ceremonies on both campuses — in St Thomas on Thursday and St Croix on Friday.

Referencing African ancestry and noting that “eight million slaves were brought into the Caribbean islands and after 300 years of enslavement less than two million had survived”, Sir Hilary told the UVI graduates: “You are the children of these survivors who are taking measures to restore their dignity and ensure our future survival.”

He expanded:

“You are now faced also with the extraordinary responsibility to rebuild our broken Caribbean economy as the infrastructure on which we must survive. This region needs to generate more wealth and promote its equitable distribution. We need to produce a class of entrepreneurs and innovators who will drive the competitiveness of our economies, ensure their technological advancement and make provision for social and cultural services that are a part of an advancing civilisation. These are your obligations to the future.”

Congratulating the graduates on their achievements so far, Sir Hilary said the role of the university is to empower their minds with confidence, but they must use their degrees to uplift their communities and modernise their economies.

“The Caribbean is at a crossroads, and the wisdom of your choices will be critical to our collective survival. I urge that as you take responsibility for it, you commit to the imperative of economic development and social justice. I urge that you become citizens of a new Caribbean world that can be a shining example to humanity that knows only too well the atrocities it committed here. Turn this horrible history on its head and let the Caribbean light shine brighter than ever,” Sir Hilary said.

Founded in 1962, UVI is a public, co-ed, land-grant Historically Black College and University in the United States Virgin Islands (USVI). It has approximately 2,500 students enrolled on two campuses: the Albert A Sheen Campus on St Croix and the St Thomas campus. The institution offers more than 50 undergraduate and graduate degree programmes across five colleges and schools.