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   Photo by Wayne Marriette

By Briana Anthony | Antigua.news Correspondent

The University of the West Indies (UWI) Five Islands Campus was awash with pride and celebration on Saturday as nearly 200 students crossed the stage to mark the end of one journey and the beginning of another.

Under the theme “Pelicans in an AI-Driven Future: Where Tradition Meets Tomorrow,” the graduation ceremony struck a powerful balance between progress and heritage — a reminder that even in an age of rapid digital change, Caribbean roots still run deep.

The highlight of the event came from Valedictorian Kadeem Charles, who graduated with First Class Honours in Data Science, Innovation Management, and Computer Science. His address drew rousing applause as he challenged his fellow graduates to embrace the future without forgetting where they came from.

“As we step into an AI-powered future, we must remember that our roots guide our growth,” Charles told the audience. “We are not only the engineers of innovation, but also the storytellers of tradition.”

Charles called on his peers to use their education to make a difference — not only in technology and business, but in the wider Caribbean community that shaped them.

The ceremony reflected the growing regional influence of the Five Islands Campus, with graduates hailing from Antigua and Barbuda, St. Kitts and Nevis, Dominica, Montserrat, and St. Lucia. Degrees were conferred across a range of disciplines including Education, Business, Nursing, Social Work, and the Sciences.

There were also moments of emotion and reflection as many students celebrated triumph over adversity. Among them was Briana Anthony, who described her graduation as a personal victory after a journey marked by numerous challenges.

“Today is more than just a celebration of my degree; it’s a reminder of strength, faith, and resilience,” Anthony shared. “Life tested me in ways I never expected, but I refused to give up. Crossing this stage means so much more than I can express;it’s proof that no matter what we face, we can rise above it.”

She thanked her family, friends, and mentors for standing by her and encouraged her fellow graduates to keep pushing forward no matter what life throws at them.

“We made it, even through the toughest days,” she said with a smile. “And that’s something no one can take away from us.”

As the youngest of the UWI campuses, Five Islands continues to establish itself as a hub for innovation and research, particularly in fields like Data Science, Entrepreneurship, and Digital Transformation.

Saturday’s graduates now join a network of more than 250,000 UWI alumni worldwide, carrying with them both the tools of modern technology and the enduring spirit of Caribbean resilience.