For the first time in the UWI Open Campus’ history, a mother and daughter graduated on the same day, with bachelor’s degrees.
Last Saturday, mum Delia Cuffy-Weekes and her daughter Natasha Jervier from Dominica crossed the graduation stage to be acknowledged by Chancellor Robert Bermudez and receive their respective degrees from Campus Registrar Karen Ford-Warner.
Cuffy-Weekes graduated with a bachelor of science in social work, while Jervier graduated with a bachelor of science in youth development work.
Cuffy-Weekes works with the Ministry of Agriculture in Dominica, but embarked on this course of study to pursue another interest. She explained that very often she was sought after to help people address challenges in their lives and felt the course would better prepare her for the role.
“I already do the work, advocacy regarding women in development, care of the elderly, child abuse, I just needed to be certified,” explained Cuffy-Weekes, who is also a cultural custodian, writer and poet.
Jervier is a secondary school teacher, but has a keen interest in youth affairs and served as the CARICOM Youth Ambassador for Dominica for the period 2012 to 2014.
Her choice of degree was in keeping with her interest in youth affairs. She also served as UWI Games Committee chair and UWI Alumni Chapter chair for 2014 to 2016. Pro Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the UWI Open Campus, Dr Luz Longsworth, congratulated the duo.
“These are the heart-warming stories that highlight the positives about the work that the Open Campus is doing in the region. We are proud to be empowering people who otherwise would not be able to realise their dream of a quality tertiary education,” she said. (PR/CM)
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