Ramotar underscores private sector investment in UG

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President Donald Ramotar on Saturday said the government remains committed to modernising the University of Guyana (UG), but emphasised the importance of the private sector?s involvement in the process.
Addressing the university?s 46th convocation, Ramotar said at the inauguration of the university in 1963, the private sector played a crucial role in its development, alluding to the British Guiana Rice Marketing Board, an entity which pumped thousands of dollars into the development of the university at the time.

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds awarding the President?s Medal to the Best Graduating Bachelor?s Degree Student Safrawz Ben Hassan Sharief of the Faculty of Technology

The president said the path laid in 1963 by the private sector must be maintained, as he encouraged entities to offer more scholarships for students desirous of attending the university.
He noted that the private sector benefits tremendously from the university, pointing out that it produces qualified persons to fill the skills demand gap.
Even as he admonished the private sector to be more supportive, President Ramotar said his government will continue to offer its support in the development of the university, despite its limited resources.
Government in the 2012 National Budget allocated some $900 million to the university, in addition to the $450 million it provided in student loans through the Finance Ministry.
Ramotar disclosed that a whopping $2 billion will be injected into the university to facilitate a science and technology programme that would aid in the transformation of the science curriculum and the modernisation of the various laboratories within the science and technology faculties.
?Through the government of Guyana, the Caribbean Development Bank has provided US$250,000 to UG to institute a modern regulatory and operational framework consistent with contemporary universities.
?Consultants will be meeting with the university this month to present assessments and proposals,? the head of state said as he unveiled the many plans his administration has in store for the country?s premier tertiary institution.
Explore other areas of funding.

University of Guyana Pro Chancellor Dr Prem Misir greets President Donald Ramotar on his arrival for the 46th convocation

He said despite the magnitude of investment, there still remains the need for more resources, positing that UG can explore other avenues to acquiring much needed funds.
?It is my hope that the university itself will explore ways and means of raising funds, ways in management-based services, consultancies, accessing research grants and through relationships and engagements with other universities.?
The president said this level of collaboration is necessary for the university to be among the top ranking tertiary institutions in the world. ?We are prepared to work with all stakeholders to ensure that the University of Guyana is transformed into a world-class academic institution.?
According to Ramotar, the disciplines of the world are rapidly changing and demand increasing for university graduates, and in Guyana, there is no exception.
?Our integration into the interconnected global market place will demand a variety of skills and multi-skilled persons, which can only be produced by an educational institution of the highest quality.?
He also endorsed the need for the university to further capitalise on information communication technology, noting that the days of ?chalk and talk? will soon be history, as the world becomes highly dependent on technology.

Reducing cost for education
According to the president, the cost of education can be drastically reduced through distant learning and teaching via the use of technology.? ?I am extremely heartened: over the past years, the university has taken positive steps to improve its technological infrastructure and I am advised, there is now online registration ? this is showing progress.?
He said too that the upgrading of the institution must not warrant the need for education to become costly as is the case in most developed countries.

Some of the staff members of the Queens Atlantic Group of Companies who graduated on Saturday at the University of Guyana. From left: Rehana Ramcharan ? Diploma in Marketing; Lakshmi Shiwnandan ? Master?s Degree in Business Administration; Carl Croker ? Diploma in Communication; and Carol Ann Marie Lam ? Associate Degree in Pharmacy. Also graduating were Muneshwarie Jailall ? Bachelor?s Degree in Economics and Sabatini Daniels ? Diploma in Communication.

?We cannot pretend that there are no problems, but where problems exist we must acknowledge and confront them; however, every problem provides opportunity for hope and reform. The University of Guyana must embraced hope and pursue reform and commit itself to access to quality higher education at low cost.?
Ramotar stressed too the need for shared responsibility, as the university moves forward in providing a higher level of education, with major emphasis on science and technology.
?I believe in addressing this important challenge? it is a matter that requires dialogue, we have to sit down in an environment free of acrimony, free from partisan posturing to discuss important national issues such as this important institution ? I don?t believe we should burden the student population with unaffordable fees, nor I don?t simply believe it is simply a matter of the government writing a cheque. We have to have shared responsibility towards improving the university and this has to be based on a common vision to where the university should go, and an agreed approach on how it will get there. This government is willing to engage the university community in meaningful dialogue to seek such a result.?
The annual convocation was graced by UG Pro-Chancellor, Professor Prem Misir; Vice Chancellor, Dr Marlene Cox; government ministers; and members of the diplomatic corps.

Outstanding students
The students graduated from the faculties of agriculture and forestry, education and humanities, natural sciences, social sciences, and technology. The Faculty of Technology produced the university?s top student, Safrawz Ben Hassan Sharief, who was awarded the President?s Medal for his outstanding academic achievement.

Kumarie Kooseram of the School of Medicine receives the Prime Minister?s Award from Prime Minister Samuel Hinds

He was followed by Avinash Antonio Persaud of the Faculty of Natural Sciences, the second best graduating student, who received the Chancellor?s Medal.
The UG Council Prize for the graduating student who passes with credit and makes significant contributions in other areas of the university, went to Tricia Nolakumarie Teekah, of the Faculty of Social Sciences.
Rachel Bonie of the Faculty of Social Sciences received the University of Guyana Students? Society (UGSS) Award for the graduating student (other than the winner of the council?s prize), who attained at least a pass with credit and made an outstanding contribution in other areas of the university?s activities.
In the area of sports, Ryan Dey of the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry received the KA Juman-Yassin Sport Award for his exceptional contribution to the university in this field.

Source: http://www.guyanatimesgy.com/?p=5494

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