Make a difference, Jarrett urges Mico graduates
Published:Monday | December 3, 2018 | 12:00 AM
Chief executive officer of the Jamaica National Group Earl Jarrett has urged the 2018 graduating class of The Mico University College to be transformational and use their voices for change.
Jarrett, who was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Education in leadership, was giving his address to the more than 200 graduates at Mico on Marescaux Road last week Saturday.
He credited his father, who was a 'Miconian', for his success and told the graduates that he was filled with hope for the future.
"You, my fellow graduates, have the opportunity to make a difference here in Jamaica, and, indeed, the entire world. This college provides a template for you to have a lasting change and impact on others," said Jarrett.
He reminded the graduates that they live in a society where procrastination and indiscipline have become the norm and people seem to have lost a sense of who they are and their purpose, which he said is strongly tied to a lack of personal identity.
"Develop a network of like-minded professionals. You will need the support and application as you take on the challenge in the schools here and abroad. Develop a positive sense of personal identity. Be proud of yourselves," said Jarrett.
He encouraged the trained teachers to have a global view and to not take their responsibility as teachers for granted as they are now in a position to influence and make a meaningful contribution, one student at a time.
"As future teachers, you have a powerful job in front of you. You have a lot of young minds who will be sitting in front of you, and you have the ability to help to shape those minds to the direction that is suitable for Jamaica in the future.
"However, as you leave this college, you are going to meet a world of broken people and negative energy. Some of your new colleagues that you meet who have been in the education system for a while will try to crush your enthusiasm. You will hear that students don't perform well because it's their fault, or that it was the parents' fault, or it's the Government's fault.
"Graduates, I urge you to resist those voices and to join the group of people who believe in you today and the possibilities for our citizens and the possibilities for Jamaica.
Chief executive officer of Kemtek Development and Planning, Sylvester Tulloch, was also conferred with an honorary Doctorate of Education in leadership at the ceremony.