MR. RICHARD Peterkin, partner in the public accounting firm of Grant Thornton, Windward Islands, known for his work in taxation and corporate services, was the National Research and Development Foundation’s keynote speaker at the third graduation ceremony of its BBA and MBA programmes at the Sandals Grande Beach Resort and Spa June 28.
Recognized for its over 31 years of delivering business related training, the NRDF conferred degrees to its largest group to date, comprising 27 graduate and undergraduate students. Of this number were one Diploma, three BBA, and 25 MBA graduands.
The NRDF has been offering these programmes since 2010 and the numbers keep growing, as more Saint Lucians discover the opportunity to pursue world-recognized degrees without leaving the island.
The theme of this year’s ceremony was “Transformational Leadership: The Key to Business Success”. Peterkin remarked that transformational leadership held credence for our current economic situation, where there is a need for leaders who are the kind that inspire change through growth and development of their employees as opposed to stunting their progress through intimidation.
He described transformational leaders as those who “spend time coaching and treating others as individuals …with their own dreams and wishes… and not just as members of a group”.
Peterkin also urged the graduating class, “in business the consumer is king. Businesses need to adapt to the ongoing demands of the consumer and to deliver better quality, lower prices and more access to products and services. As graduates armed with the latest tools in business theories and thought leadership, you have a responsibility to apply those skills in your roles, businesses, communities and political parties”.
Two valedictorians were recognized at the ceremony. BBA Valedictorian Ms. Theresa Jn. Baptiste, employee of Unicomer St. Lucia Ltd and MBA Valedictorian, Mr. Wayne Auguste, a local financial consultant.
The NRDF located in La Clery is a non-profit organization; is a leader in offering undergraduate and graduate degrees in Business Administration in Saint Lucia, alongside a variety of diplomas and certificates in other key areas.