I wish to express my sincere gratitude first to Almighty God, the Government of Anguilla, fellow students, family, friends and lecturers who encouraged me in my quest for education – but most of all Mr Julian Harrigan who had a vision that was critical to the social and economic development of the human resources of Anguilla.
Prior to 1991, very few persons in Anguilla were able to achieve their career dreams by pursuing tertiary education due to the high costs associated with travel expenses, university fees and board and lodge. Thanks to the pioneering work of the University of the West Indies supported by Mr Harrigan, who encouraged many persons to join the Challenge Programme and never failed to advocate the benefits that could be derived from enrolling and completing it.
It was indeed a challenge programme because I am sure the first batch of students would agree that we endured and overcame many challenges and anxieties due to a dearth of study material, and lecturers who may have taught the subjects for the first time. Basically we could be deemed as the guinea pigs who entered unchartered waters.
Throughout the period of study a good friend never failed to remind me of the word of Lao Tzu, a Chineese Philosopher, who wrote: “A journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step.”
As a member of the first group of students I will take the opportunity to testify on the group’s behalf and state that we took those brave steps some 26 years ago and conquered the challenges. We are a living testament that anything is possible if you desire to achieve it and work hard to accomplish it.
As a personal testimony, I completed my high school education in 1977 with four GCE O’level subject passes. However, with a burning desire to further my education so that I could have some leverage to gain upward mobility in the public service, I went on to obtain a total of 8 GCE subjects. Unable to financially afford a tertiary education, I welcomed the opportunity to enroll in the UWI Challenge Programme. From the onset I knew failure was not an option for me. Consequently, I gave up social events and dedicated my time to domestic activities and my studies.
With the constant encouragement of Mr Harrigan, my lecturers, fellow students, family and friends, I was elated to get a call, while vacationing in the United Kingdom in July 1993, from one of my lecturers, Dr Oluwakemi Linda Banks, informing me that I had passed all my subjects and was the only one to complete the programme. As a result, I had to wait an entire year to graduate because I would have graduated by myself in 1993. I was elated by this achievement and promised myself that I would not stop my education until I had accomplished my Masters Degree.
I later attended the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, and attained a BSc, upper second class honours, degree in Public Sector Management. Subsequently, I attended the London School of Economics and obtained a Masters degree in Human Resources Management with merit. I was also afforded the opportunity, while in the UK, to become a licensed Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).
The opportunities I was given are within the grasp of all of us especially our young people who may not be in a position to travel overseas to pursue tertiary education, or who may be late learners. Let the sky be your limit. I can recall both my children saying: “Mom, we know we can be anything we want to be because we admired your dedication to your studies and we always said if mom can do it we can.”
I thank the representatives and lectures of the local chapter of the University of the West Indies both past and present, my fellow students, family and in particular, Mr Julian Harrigan, for helping me achieve my goals throughout the years. Without the Challenge Programme I may not have been motivated to attain the level of education identified earlier.
Again, my gratitude and may this Memorial Scholarship Fund in honour of Mr Julian Harrigan, our stalwart in ensuring that Anguillians were and continue to be afforded the opportunity to be educated at home, grow from strength to strength. This growth is already evident because, some 26 years later, the programme has moved from a Challenge Programme to one that offers education at the PHD level.
I am confident that, with God’s help, continued support from all stakeholders, including the general public coupled with the ambition of those who desire and yearn for education this, UWI Programme will continue to build capacity and contribute significantly to the social and economic development of the people of Anguilla and, by extension, Anguilla as a nation.
My heartiest congratulations and may this excellent initiative continue to grow. I am confident it will surmount all challenges and survive.
Thank you.
