On Thursday, February 07, 2019 the Faculty of Education and Liberal Studies Students’ Representative Committee hosted an Academic Forum which catered to the holistic development of the students. The forum, which was held in the Lecture Theatre 9A at the University of Technology, Jamaica Papine campus, boasted the theme ‘WINNING RIGHT NOW!!’ where well-known influencer Jeffery Azan was invited to be the main speaker.
Rovel Chambers, Deputy Representative and Micholyn Hurd, Community Service Director commenced the forum by welcoming everyone, introducing the representative body and giving a brief introduction about the day’s activities.
“I know last semester was rough for a lot of persons and the fact that you made it to semester two means you’re a survivor and so winning right now is to reinforce that you are a survivor and will win this semester and onwards” said Rovel Chambers.
To keep the audience active and involved, the executive secretary, Shantih Beckford, started an icebreaker and a dance off in which she asked for five volunteers.
Forthcoming, it was time for the guest speaker, Jeffery Azan to shine wisdom upon the students and get them into the winning spirit. ‘Change your game, change your life’ was the message Azan sought to implement in the minds of his audience.
Businessman, entrepreneur and motivational speaker, Azan started the discussion by giving an insight into his childhood and life growing up, sharing that he has always worked hard for what he wanted. He continued by encouraging the students to reposition their minds and level up highlighting that it wasn’t until he had a change in mindset did he really begin to experience changes in his life.
In his presentation he explained how he managed to stay on top of his game.
He stated “Every speech I make, I have to tell myself that it’s my last speech”. Mr. Azan further engaged the audience by telling them to take out their pens and papers, phones or recorders to document what he was about to say.
“The first thing you need to win is a vision and I’m not talking about a vision board; it is more like a goal board.” Additionally, he informed the audience that the key about vision is that, you should not live for achievement but rather you have to live for activity.
“When you are doing the right activities in life the achievements will come and to win, we need purpose, time or energy, money and creativity.”
To end his speech, he encouraged the students to figure out what their priorities are and live by them.
The forum terminated with a live performance by Jamal Harrison also known as Jay.rxk singing one of his hit songs ‘Isaiah 60 vs 22’.
Written by Shaneika Smith/UJS News