The University College of the Cayman Islands (UCCI) is pleased to announce that its annual commencement ceremony will take place on the evening of Thursday, 4 July 2024 at its George Town campus. The ceremony will celebrate the achievements of around 250 outstanding graduates from the class of 2024 and include a special tribute to the late Bendel Hydes, a pioneering Caymanian artist.
The late Bendel Hydes, a pioneering Caymanian artist, will be posthumously awarded an Honorary Doctorate of the Arts. Bendel Hydes, who passed away at the age of 72, was widely celebrated as the founding father of Caymanian visual art. His groundbreaking work and enduring support for the arts laid a solid foundation for the Caymanian professional art sector and contributed significantly to the vibrant cultural landscape enjoyed today.
UCCI is also honoured to welcome Vanessa Slowey as this year’s keynote speaker. Vanessa Slowey is an acclaimed former CEO and transformational leader with a career that spans over three decades on the global stage, achieving remarkable financial results and redefining industry standards for leadership, innovation, and social change. As a CEO and Board Director, Vanessa has strategically guided multinationals across 27 countries, empowering a diverse workforce of over 12,000.
Her extraordinary journey includes shattering the glass ceiling and championing diversity, establishing high-performance teams that have continually surpassed all expectations under her visionary leadership. Vanessa melds strategic acumen with a profound commitment to philanthropy, supporting global causes that foster education, fight poverty, and improve health.
Dr. Robert W. Robertson, President and CEO of UCCI, expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming ceremony: “We are thrilled to honour Bendel Hydes posthumously with an Honorary Doctorate. His contributions to the arts and culture of the Cayman Islands are immeasurable. We are equally excited to welcome Vanessa Slowey as our keynote speaker. Her story of leadership and transformation is truly inspiring and will resonate deeply with our graduates and community.”
Dr. Livingston Smith, VP of Academic Affairs and Workforce Readiness at UCCI, highlighted the significant achievements of this year’s graduates: “This is an immense achievement for our graduates. We are incredibly proud of their hard work and dedication. They are well-prepared to join the workforce and make meaningful contributions to the Cayman Islands. Their success is a testament to the quality education and support provided by UCCI.”
The commencement ceremony on 4 July will be live streamed on UCCI’s Facebook page and on Cayman Marl Road, allowing friends, family, and community members who cannot attend in person to join in celebrating the graduates’ achievements.
The University College of the Cayman Islands provides quality higher education to the Caymanian community. UCCI offers a wide range of programs designed to prepare students for successful careers and to contribute meaningfully to the development of the Cayman Islands.
For more information about the commencement ceremony and UCCI, please visit www.ucci.edu.ky .
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