‘University of Guyana: Perspectives on the Early History’, a book compiled by former Vice Chancellors Harold A Drayton, Alan Earp and Dennis Irvine was launched on Thursday at the Umana Yana, Georgetown, as celebrations of the institution’s 50th anniversary continue.
Speaking at the launch was Dr Paloma Mohamed, head of the Centre for Communications Studies and chairperson of the UG Central Planning Committee for the 50th anniversary. She said the university’s jubilee was a remarkable milestone, particularly for those who have worked tirelessly over the years to see the tertiary organisation flourish. Dr Mohamed said past and present students of the university should be proud. She stressed that without the significant contributions of the past chancellors, vice-chancellors and lecturers, the university, which was established in 1963, would not be what it is today, noting that much more improvements are in the pipeline.
History
Also speaking at the book launch was acting Vice-Chancellor Phillip Da Silva, who officially declared the book launched. In lauding the book, he said reading the stories written, “it’s like reliving a part of history”. Da Silva noted that the book , published by the University of Guyana Guild of Graduates, Ontario, Canada, contains a wide range of information on the University of Guyana that one can learn and share with others. He urged the gathering to vicariously get a first-hand experience of the university and to take a deeper look from the inside rather than just the outside of the structures “and making assumptions”.
With only 75 copies of the historical text available, persons were urged to visit the university’s library to get their copies at a cost of Gy$4000.
The event was attended by staff and students of the university, and members of the diplomatic corps, among others. The book launch is among many activities planned for UG’s 50th anniversary. Celebrations will last one year, from October 2013 to October 2014.
