Outspoken University of Guyana (UG), Berbice Campus, Director, Professor Daizal Samad believes that the private sector has a “big role” to play in reforming the country’s premier learning institution.
Valedictorian Deochand Mathur Jaipersaud with relatives after the graduation ceremony
Samad made the comments during his report at the campus’ 10th convocation on Saturday, November 19, where 164 students graduated in 18 disciplines.
Samad, who has been insistent that university education should be conducted as a business, servicing the human resource needs of the private sector, repeated his calls for the private sector to take part ownership of the university.
“Businesses can assist us by being part of programme identification and creation… by being part of curriculum reform and design and by being part of reforming, reviewing course subject matter… They will assist us in developing our students, lecturers and administrators, inculcate in them a sense of professionalism, commitment and loyalty,” Samad said.
The director, who is a strong advocate for autonomy of the Berbice Campus, said that such close relation with the private sector is the lifeline for the university. He also urged graduates to remain humble and “surely goodness and mercy shall follow them all the day of their lives”.
Professor Samad also disclosed that the Tain Campus enrollment has jumped to its highest since the campus was commissioned.
Neal and Massy Group of Companies, Chief Executive Officer, Doodnauth Persaud who delivered the feature address, announced that the company would sponsor another student from the beginning of the 2012 semester, for four years. This is in addition to the scholarship announced at a Security Expo held by Neal and Massy Group of Companies earlier in the year.
“There is scope for the wider business community and the university to collaborate in such areas as curriculum development, scholarships, budgetary support, incentive such as prizes and trophies, and let me add that Neal and Massey Group of Companies has sponsored a trophy and incentive for the best graduating student in agriculture since 2009.”
Persaud also plugged the private sector/ university collaboration, contending that it should include extra-curricular activities such as sports, social and community work.
Outlining the demand for skills in the local private sector, Persaud disclosed that there is need for more graduates in the area of engineering, information technology and the sciences. He cited oil exploration, and noted that the resurgence of the gold industry has given way for more geologists. Persaud also outlined for graduates, the yard stick used by employers for hiring, and reminded them that grabbing the opportunities on the job market, requires them to be at the top of their game.
“Life is about continuous learning and improvements… use your degree, diploma as the beginning and not the end,” Persaud said.
He also urged the graduates to stay and serve Guyana, urging them to be champions of industry and leaders of Guyana, going hard after their dreams.
The valedictorian, a Grade Six teacher from Tain Primary School, Deochand Mathur Jaipersaud, who graduated with a grade point average of 4.0 in the Bachelors’ in Education programme, was well applauded as he rose to deliver his speech.
“Some persons love to dream, others wish that they could dream while some live their dreams… we, the graduating class of 2011 are fortunate… we live our dreams,” Jaipersaud said.
The 28-year-old Jaipersaud carried the convocation through some of the experiences he and his batch mates shared during their quest for higher education.
“It is important to note, that it is the human resources of a nation that ultimately determine the character and pace of its economic and social development… Today, we the graduates represent the human capital that will contribute positively towards the economic growth and development of our country.”
He noted too that his experience at the university was a wonderful one, noting that his success was premised on unlimited reading and research, and solid support from lecturers.
According to Jaipersaud, there was effective communication between students and lecturers which led to their successful completion of the various programmes. “Attending classes at the Berbice Campus has helped all of us to become critical thinkers, improvisers, extroverts, financial resource managers, but more importantly, it has helped us to become independent individuals with well rounded personalities.”
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