Professor Densil Williams, Pro-Vice Chancellor and Principal of UWI, Mona, emphasised the importance of investing in human capital during his speech at the Kiwanis Club of West St Andrew’s 45th anniversary celebration held at Medallion Hall Hotel on May 29, 2023.
Professor Williams asserted that the dividends from Jamaica’s economic stability should be directed towards human resource development. "I have never seen educated people suffer," he said, warning that failure to invest in education would result in perpetual poverty. He highlighted that only 20% of Jamaican secondary school students pursue higher education, compared to 70% in Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic. "High-quality institutions and people are crucial for managing our complex world," he added. Jamaica's current economy which is uncompetitive, is based on low growth, low wage and low technology. To achieve high economic development and become competitive, we need High-quality institutions and -"high-skill people".
He stressed that countries transitioning from low growth to high wages have done so through higher education. "If we want to move up the value chain, we must invest in human capital. While infrastructure is necessary, it should not come at the expense of education. Educated individuals drive creativity and economic progress," Professor Williams concluded.
Distinguished President Don Foster, former head of HEART NTA, echoed Professor Williams’ sentiments. "No educated country is poor, and no poor country is educated," Foster stated. He highlighted the Kiwanis Club’s commitment to human capital through various school-based initiatives over its 45-year history.
"The Kiwanis movement is powerful because it serves children and communities, improving the world one child and one community at a time," Foster remarked. He praised the club's growth in leadership, competence, and community service.
The event also featured anniversary greetings from Governor-Designate Pam Rodney-White, District Trustee Leighton McKnight, and representatives from the Kiwanis Clubs of North St Andrew, Stony Hill, and Meadowvale. The celebration culminated with the cutting of the ceremonial 45th-anniversary cake by President Jacqueline Bennett and past presidents.
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| Professor Densil Williams, Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Principal of UWI Mona |
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| Distinguished President of the Kiwanis Club of West St Andrew, and former head of HEART Trust NTA, Don Foster |
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| President of the Kiwanis Club of West St Andrew, Jacqueline Bennett |
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| Cutting of the ceremonial 45th-anniversary cake by Distinguished Presidents and first female member Lois Grant. |
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| Maurice Henry Distinguished President of the Kiwanis Club of West St Andrew |
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| District Trustee, Leighton McKnight. |
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We are sorrounded by near-sighted, "bling bling" political leadership. Highways bring out the camera and the big kick~back.
ReplyDeleteThats more important!! But do we demand otherwise? Dog nyam wi suppa if we happen to have any.
No educated country is poor, the exception being Cuba, and we know why that is so. 17 percent of Jamaican children are not in school, a statistic we continue to ignore to our own peril.
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