Montego Bay businessman Tony Hart has thrown his weight behind the University of Technology's (UTech) bid to transform the Trelawny Multi-purpose Stadium into its western campus.

Hart, who is also board chairman of Caymanas Track Limited, was speaking Saturday at the university's graduation ceremony at the National Arena.

He was among a group of four accomplished men who were conferred with honorary degrees at the ceremony. Doctor of Laws (honoris causa) degrees were awarded to Hart, a former chairman of Air Jamaica; Lester Woolery, chairman of the National Health Fund; and Oliver Clarke, chairman and managing director of The Gleaner Company. Dr Rae Davis, former president of UTech, was conferred with a Doctor of University (honoris causa).

On Friday, Clarke was also conferred with an honorary degree by the University of West Indies.

West needs a university

Hart said UTech's presence was needed in the west.

"We in the west need a major university ... . I certainly hope Professor (Errol) Morrison succeeds," he said, as he encouraged the Government to approve the university's proposal.

Hart said transportation and other attendant costs were a sore burden for students from western Jamaica who have to travel to the Corporate Area to read for their degrees.

Davis told the graduating class of 2009 that their performance in the wider society would determine the efficiency of the university's programmes.

Woolery, a trained pharmacist, told the massive gathering that he accepted the award on behalf of members of his profession, which was once "viewed as the bastard child of the medical sciences".

Clarke told the record-breaking graduating class to "take the world and shake it because it is now yours". He also challenged them to make an extraordinary investment of time by putting in 80 hours per week during their first decade in the world of work and reap the benefits thereafter.

Good dividends

In delivering the valedictory address, Terry-Ann Virtue, from the Faculty of Engineering and Computing, told her batchmates that their struggles had finally paid good dividends.

"Nothing precious in life comes easy ... . But you're here, we are here," she said to rapturous applause.

Virtue also gave an exhortation to the graduating class that would have pleased Finance Minister Audley Shaw.

"As citizens well equipped for the labour force, let us contribute to nation building, even if it is just by paying your taxes."