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YCT calls for academic freedom at UG

Feb 20, 2012 News

 

 

The Youth Coalition for Transformation has called for the   implementation of Academic Freedom at the University of Guyana.  YCT member Tabitha Sarabu, at a press briefing on Friday, explained that academic Freedom gives lecturers and staff at any University the ability to speak their minds and challenge conventional wisdom without fear of institutional censorship or discipline.
According to Sarabu, if this is to be implemented it would lead to the end of political party members on the University Council.  She said that the YCT believes that the Head of State President Ramotar should officially address the issues and concerns of the students, staff and unions of the University of Guyana.
Sarabu said that the University of Guyana is now in its third week of sit-ins as their list of demands which were sent to the President, is yet to be met. She explained that the President has said on more than one occasion that education is necessary for development.
“If this is true then no President concerned about the youth of their country, concerned about education and development would sit back one more week and allow UG, the only University in Guyana to remain at a standstill,” Sarabu posited. She said that if this continues for one more week it would be safe for all Guyanese to say that this PPP/C government and President Ramotar do not care about human development, they do not care about the youths of our country and they do not comprehend that a properly functioning University of Guyana is key to the development of this country.
Sarabu further stated that the University of Guyana’s outgoing Vice Chancellor, Professor Carrington, who made the decision not to renew his contract at his final staff meeting, stated that the current governance structure under which UG functions has a number of back linkages to centralized authority which was instituted during a different era and can no longer be considered relevant.
Carrington spoke briefly on the issue of the University’s Council by mentioning that the Appointments Committee at UWI did not include politicians. That, he said, could inhibit efficiency and decision-making based on the best interest of the institution. “What that does is that it allows you to focus on the academic issues related to the appointment rather than have intrusion of political issues,” Carrington stated.
He further noted that the fact that the country operates under a very centralized governmental structure leads to a “number of serious challenges to an institution that is purportedly autonomous because it is created by an Act of Parliament.”
Sarabu said that YCT totally agrees with the statement made by Professor Carrington as “we call for a more autonomous university”.  She said that they were adamant that demands of the students, staff and union be met so that the University can finally enter the 21st century functioning under a depoliticized system which recognizes the right to Academic Freedom.

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