Dr. Chang Urges UWI Western Campus Students to Enjoy Stay

First year students attending the University of The West Indies (UWI) Mona’s Western Jamaica campus, were advised to make sure that they enjoy the field of study they are pursuing, as only then will life within the institution be memorable.
The advice came from Minister of Water and Housing, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang, as he addressed the group at a general registration and orientation session, at the Queens Drive campus, Wednesday (September 2).
Dr. Chang, a graduate of the UWI and Member of Parliament for North West St. James, where the campus is located, outlined some ideals to the incoming students, which he advised them to strive towards.
Apart from ensuring that they enjoy what they are doing, he advised that they should learn to work together; reach beyond the confines of the institution; be prepared to challenge established norms and set precedence; learn to cope with life and society’s issues; and always question things in a rational way.
He expressed the view that a major challenge to the students is for them to ensure that, when they have graduated from the institution, they are ready to take on the world with confidence, make a difference in society and earn a decent income.
He said that today’s world calls for persons with creativity and independence in their thinking.
“There is really no easy formula, and there will be those who will still sit back and figure that is the best way. Get all the books you can read, all the books you want and make sure that you get first class honours,” he urged them.
“For students on what is really a new campus, you will be setting some new standards as well, and that is why your own independent thinking, your own thoughts are critical to your successes,” he told the students.