Latest update November 29th, 2024 1:00 AM
UG installs eighth Chancellor
UG Chancellor, Dr Compton Bourne, delivering his inaugural address.
By Brushell Blackman
Dr Compton Bourne was yesterday installed as the eight Chancellor of the University of Guyana at an impressive ceremony in the George Walcott Lecture Theatre.
The serene atmosphere was befitting of the occasion, as the police force band added to the feel of auspiciousness that filled the air. Those that came before spoke glowingly about a man that has held a number of prestigious positions both present and past.
Bourne is currently the President of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), and is only the second individual after Dr William Demas to hold the position of Chancellor of the University of Guyana and President of the CDB at the same time.
That aside Bourne, a recipient of the Order of Excellence, this country’s highest national award, promised to move the institution (UG) forward in keeping with the realities of the modern era.
In his inaugural address Dr Bourne said that it was an honour and a challenge to accept the position of Chancellor, since he will be following in the footsteps of some renowned scholars. He said universities stand at the pinnacle of national education systems and are both the seed and the flower of national development. Bourne said that education usually improves skills and labour and that there is a nexus between economic growth and national development.
Towards this end he said investment in education is one of the best decisions a country or institution can take. He advised against non-input towards education since it can lead to the falling of the rates of return within the region and locally.
Touching on his immediate plan for the University of Guyana, Bourne said that a strategic plan is already in motion which will be a topic for discussion shortly by the university’s council. He said that the plan will be the basis for which the turnaround plan for the institution will be based. Bourne indicated that he has held talks with President Bharrat Jagdeo on the future of the University and is optimistic that actions can be forthcoming as early as next January.
Bourne said that many of his contacts and business affiliates, apart from extending their congratulations, are willing to assist the institution in achieving some of its immediate objectives. To this end, he said that there is a need to prioritise at the institution so that the most urgent needs can be addressed.
The new Chancellor is hopeful that the current strategic plan will be endorsed upon its completion. This will ensure that the necessary funding is sought to execute the works set out in that document and by the university’s council.
Addressing the issue of research at the institution, Bourne said that there is need for more funding by government and the business community. He stressed that it is inexcusable for any academic institution not to have an active research programme. The absence of this will see the university and the Caribbean region lagging behind other countries that are investing in the said area, Bourne asserted.
Dr Compton Bourne took over the office of Chancellor after the tenure of Dr Bertrand Ramcharram came to an end. Bourne is a graduate of the University of London, the University of Birmingham and the University of the West Indies.
Prior to his appointment he was the Principal of the St. Augustine Campus of the University of the West Indies. He was also Pro Vice-Chancellor for Planning and Development at the same university.
Professor Bourne also served as a Director of the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago. He was also the recipient of the Caribbean Studies Distinguished Service Award in 1989.
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