As dozens graduated from the Faculties of Science and Technology and Food and Agriculture on October 23, valedictorian Josef Paty urged them to consider their upcoming roles not only in the workforce, but in a society and world faced with continuous challenges.

Remembering the loss of young lives like Jayden Lalchan, Mariah Seenath, Akiel Chambers, Samantha Chadee, Jomol Modeste and many others, Paty noted the impacts of a "failing societal system" and the potential of the graduates to impact it.

"We see the need more than ever for co-operation, kindness and humility. Diplomatic fallouts, greed and arrogance are at their strongest, and we as a region are particularly vulnerable…humanitarianism has been overshadowed by media coverage of worldwide negativity and as graduates it is our duty to serve a world that is in dire need of positivity."