FRESHLY MINTED graduates were yesterday called to action by managing director of The Gleaner Company Limited, Oliver Clarke, as he encouraged them to take advantage of the opportunities which lie in Jamaica and the wider Caribbean.

At the graduation ceremony at the Mona Campus of the University of the West Indies, Clarke told the graduating class, which this year numbered 2,687, to not be beset by the challenges now facing Jamaica, the region and the world.

"You graduates, you're about to assume an important place in the world, the region and the nation.

"Your challenge as citizens of Jamaica and the Caribbean is to use the skills you have acquired here at Mona, multiplied by your individual talent, to address the societal problems that continue to diminish us as a people," he asserted.

Clarke was awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Laws for his work in media and the wider society.

some challenges

In his address, Clarke outlined some of the challenges which faced the graduates, such as widespread poverty, rampant crime and violence, intolerance for other groups, and a lack of creative and effective leadership. He, however, juxtaposed the turbulent times with the enduring spirit of the Jamaican people, which, he said, had always made an impact internationally.

"Jamaica has no paucity of talent, and the energy of our people is boundless. There are no limits to our creative endowment. The opportunity exists as never before for you young leaders, like you the graduates of today, to begin to command our nation's future," he said.

Action is the antidote to apathy, criticism and distress, Clarke added.

Clarke was honoured alongside Professor Colin Palmer, who received an honorary degree of Doctor of Letters.

Earlier in the ceremony, chancellor of the regional institution, Professor George Alleyne, congratu-lated the members of the graduating class.

He commented on the financial challenges faced by the university, the programmes it had introduced, and called on the new alumni to contribute to the sustenance of the institution.

"You (graduates) can be resour-ces not only in the financial sense, but also in terms of advising young students and potential students about the possibilities offered in your university," he said.

And as a parting shot, Clarke revealed to the graduates words, which he said were inscribed on the back of their degrees: "You're brilliant. Jamaica and the world needs you."