Dear Editor, During my time at the University of Guyana, I was engaged in various lobbying efforts to have the curriculum reformed to cater for the changes that are taking place both nationally and internationally. Certainly, we cannot have an outdated curriculum and be able to produce graduates capable enough to take on the challenges of today’s world. The University of Guyana has a crucial role to play in national development and courses offered by the institution must be designed to cater for this. Now I am happy that…
Read MoreMonth: June 2012
Sarwan’s reminder and a timely question
Dear Editor, Ramnaresh Sarwan, indeed, is giving the West Indies selectors a timely reminder of his Test credentials. He scored a second century for Leicestershire, in their championship match against Essex. The 31-year-old was the star of the show, as Leicestershire fought back after a nightmare start in their first innings. It was runs under duress. In fact, Leicestershire were 29 for 3 in over number 10, but Sarwan came to the fore. This is like the Sarwan of old. Only a few weeks back, Sarwan explained that simply…
Read MoreThe World Conference on Indigenous Peoples
It is seen as an historic event. Indigenous peoples’ leaders and activists say that a new milestone for the rights of indigenous peoples — their first ever World Conference, slated for 2014 – is on the horizon. They believe that the meeting would offer a unique opportunity to create a framework for addressing the most pressing challenges currently facing this group of people. Five years since the United Nations General Assembly’s adoption of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and two years since the body unanimously adopted a…
Read MoreDependence & Independence
Independence Day” reminds us that we were supposedly once ‘dependent’ – on Britain, in this instance – and that on May 26, 1966 we became ‘independent’. One way to gauge our progress on the ‘independent’ front might be to cast a glance back at the ‘dependent’ relationship. What strikes one immediately is the chutzpah of the imperial power that enslaved and indentured us to labour and produce goods for their consumption, to then define us as ‘dependent’. We were ‘dependent’, the ‘mother country’ informed us, because we were simple, benighted…
Read MoreCongolese minister engages officials in Guyana ahead of Rio+20
Minister of Sustainable Development, Forest Economy and Environment in the Republic of Congo Henri Djombo has arrived in Guyana for talks with President Donald Ramotar as the two countries seek to adopt a strong position ahead of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (Rio +20) in Brazil next month. While tourism, health, oceans, climate change and energy are among the priority for the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), other developing countries are calling for an additional negotiation session to ensure a successful and mutually satisfactory outcome of the Rio+20. According…
Read MoreHigh probability Guyana will find oil – Canadian Envoy
By Samuel Sukhnandan Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana David Devine says despite the recent results from the drilling of the Eagle One well, which came up empty handed, the chances of a local oil and gas find are high. Devine made this statement at the launch of the two-part series “Oil and Gas Guide” developed by Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), with the support of the Canadian government. The Canadian diplomat believes that while there may be many challenges ahead, the country would have to be persistent in its…
Read MoreMore exhibitors to flock International Building Expo 2012
By Michael Younge “Embracing standards, building the future” is the theme under which the Housing and Water Ministry will stage this year’s international building exposition. Already, more exhibitors have signalled their intention to be a part of the usually well organised and executed event that brings all of the major firms that offer building and construction equipment, as well as services into one common market space to meet consumers. Housing Minister Irfaan Ali said the level of interest shown by corporate Guyana and stakeholders outside of the country has…
Read MoreEnd “emotional appeal” to int’l community – Finance Minister
Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh on Tuesday called for an end to the “emotional argument” used to persuade the global community about the Caribbean’s vulnerability. Dr Singh made the comments while speaking at the opening of the second meeting of the Caribbean Development Roundtable (CDR) held at the Guyana International Conference Centre (GICC) by the United Nations Economic Commission of Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC). “The UN system has an important role to play, ECLAC in particular, in helping us to move from the emotional argument about our vulnerability…
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