News - Jamaica Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventist

Renowned Jamaican civil engineer Desmond Young, MSc, MBA, MJIE, BH(M), PE, was conferred with the Honorary Doctor of Science Degree by Northern Caribbean University (NCU) on Sunday, August 10, 2025.

The conferral took place during NCU’s 102nd Commencement Service, which saw 642 graduates and thousands of attendees. The degree was presented by NCU President, Professor Lincoln Edwards, who commended Young’s more than three decades of professional excellence and his unwavering Christian service.

“It gives me great pleasure to accept the recommendation that Mr. Desmond Young be conferred with the Honorary Doctor of Science by Northern Caribbean University,” Dr. Edwards said.

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Desmond Young is congratulated by NCU President, Professor Lincoln Edwards, after being conferred with the Honorary Doctor of Science Degree by Northern Caribbean University (NCU) on Sunday, August 10, 2025, during the university’s 102nd Graduation Exercise. (Photo by Garfield Forbes).[/caption]

“We laud you for over 30 years of professional experience in designing and executing large-scale infrastructure projects across Jamaica and internationally. We applaud your sterling service to national development and your dedicated leadership within the Seventh-day Adventist Church.”

Young expressed deep gratitude, likening the honour to receiving his National Award.

“It is the same feeling I have today,” he said. “I am humbled, grateful, and just giving God thanks for all that He has done in my life.”

Pastor Everett Brown, President of the Jamaica Union Conference and Chairman of the Andrews Memorial Hospital Limited, and Northern Caribbean University Boards, also welcomed the honour, noting his pride in Young’s achievement.

“This recognition is a testament not only to Mr. Young’s professional excellence but also to his steadfast commitment to service and integrity,” Pastor Brown said. “His life’s work has been a blessing to his community, his church, and his country, and we at the Jamaica Union Conference are deeply proud of him.”

From Humble Beginnings to National Recognition

According to Donmayne Gyles, CEO of Andrews Memorial Hospital Ltd, Young’s life exemplifies perseverance.

“To say that Desmond Young came from humble beginnings would be an understatement,” Gyles said. “Those early years of hardships were rich in adventures and life lessons that shaped the man he is today. The Andrews Memorial Hospital family is proud of his accomplishments, and even more so of the conferral of the Honorary Doctoral Degree.”

Homeschooled in his early years, Young began formal schooling at age nine at Dupont Primary School, later attending Cockburn Gardens Primary and Junior High School. His strong performance in external examinations earned him a place at Excelsior High School and subsequently Excelsior Community College, where he completed both his O-Levels and A-Levels while working part-time in the school’s General Science Laboratory. After high school, he was employed as a Laboratory Technician at Excelsior High School, and by the age of 19, he was teaching third-form students Physics and Mathematics.

He later pursued Natural Sciences at the University of the West Indies, Mona, before earning a six-year scholarship in 1986 to study for a Master of Science in Civil Engineering in Moscow, Russia. In 2013, he received the Master of Business Administration in International Business from the Mona School of Business, UWI.

Distinguished Career

Upon returning to Jamaica, Young built a career spanning more than 33 years, holding leadership roles in both the private and public sectors, including:

Chairman, Jamaica Pegasus Hotel.
Chairman, UTech Civil Engineering Faculty Advisory Board.
Acting General Manager, Urban Development Corporation (UDC).
Vice President and then CEO, New Era Homes 2000 Limited.
Managing Director, Halicon Holdings Limited.
CEO and Chairman, Molody Development Limited (since 2017).

He has served on the boards of the Urban Development Corporation, National Housing Trust, Portmore Community College, Caymanas Development Company, the Professional Engineers Registration Board, and Andrews Memorial Hospital, among others.

Young has also contributed to several national committees, including the Vision 2030 Construction Sector Task Force and the National Building Code Steering Committee. His service to the Seventh-day Adventist Church spans local leadership roles, including chairing committees and serving on the Jamaica Union Conference and the East Jamaica Conference Executive Committees.

Awards and Achievements

Over the years, Young has received multiple awards, including:

2008 – Excellence in Engineering, Jamaica Institution of Engineers
2015 – Outstanding Graduate Award for contribution to national development, Eastern European Graduates Association
2022 – Badge of Honour for Meritorious Service to the Nation.

“Desmond has mentored many throughout his lifetime, and giving back to his community was part of him,” said Donmayne Gyles.

He and his wife Patricia play an active role in the Adventist Lay Persons Services Industry, Junior Chapter, mentoring many young people. He has also given back to his alma mater, Excelsior High School and Excelsior Community College, among many other charities and community upliftment endeavours.

Patricia, his wife of 36 years and mother of their two adult children, Kimone and Desmond Jr., said, “I offer total gratitude and praise to God for all that He has done through my family, and especially in the life of Desmond. I am so proud of his achievements, and I deeply admire his humility and grateful spirit.”

She continued, “God has brought us a mighty long way, and we keep trusting His leading.”

Life of Purpose

Young’s memoire, The Desmond Young Story – Where You Begin Does Not Determine Where You End, chronicles his journey of resilience in the face of hardship.

“I have lived a fantastic life,” he writes. “One that started badly, with tragedies, disappointments, unfulfilled promises, and economic obstacles. I pray my story encourages others to press on, move forward, and never give up.”

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Desmond Young is robed and hooded by Professor Nanibala Paul, Associate Provost for Academic Affairs, and Professor Erica Robinson-Sturridge, Associate Dean of the College of Natural and Applied Sciences, Allied Health and Nursing, during the NCU 102nd Graduation Exercise on August 10, 2025 (Photo contributed).[/caption]