Latest update February 6th, 2025 7:27 AM
UG gets multi-million dollar donation of books
Law as well as non-law publications, valued at more than $2million, were yesterday gifted to the University of Guyana (UG), compliments of former member of both the political and judicial fraternities, Dr. Mohamed Shahabuddeen.
At a simple ceremony held in the foyer of the University’s library, the significant endowment was presented by Dr. Shahabuddeen’s son, Sieyf Shahabuddeen.
Sieyf Shahabuddeen (centre) ceremonially hands over the books (some of which are displayed in background) to Deputy Vice Chancellor, Phillip DaSilva. Also in photo is Librarian, Mrs Gwyneth George.
Shahabuddeen, ahead of ceremonially handing over the publications, recounted his father’s professional journey, which took him to sections of the globe including Rwanda and Yugoslavia.
It was during his adult life, he disclosed, that Dr. Shahabuddeen was able to accumulate his collection of books.
At 82 years of age, Dr. Shahabuddeen, currently resides in Canada but will be remembered for the prominent positions he held locally, including that of Attorney General. The recipient of the Order of Excellence, Order of Roraima and Cacique Crown of Honour awards, also served a nine-year term as an eminent Judge of the International Court of Justice.
According to Sieyf Shahabuddeen, “he has done his duty and this is the natural home for his collection of books and our hope is that students as well as members of the public can benefit (and) find them of interest…It gives me joy to make this presentation.”
Previously, Sieyf Shahabuddeen donated a set of his father’s French novels, and another collection of books to the National Library.
However, Dr. Shahabuddeen’s entire legal collection, among other publications, was left for the UG Library. “It is not going to any other country, it is not going to any other library but this library right here in Guyana and that is something he is very happy about and we as a family are very happy about,” added Sieyf Shahabuddeen.
Speaking at yesterday’s ceremony, UG Librarian, Mrs Gwyneth George, posited that “a man’s collection of books reflects who he is or has been; it also say something of a son who sees it fit to donate the collection of his father’s books to a depository where he feels it will be safe, and I trust we will keep these books very safe.”
She disclosed that some of his well known published works include: The Legal System of Guyana, which was published in 1973; Constitutional Development in Guyana 1621 to 1978; Nationalisation of Guyana Bauxite and From Plantocracy to Nationalisation, 1983. The latter publication, George noted, is one of the seminal publications of Dr. Shahabuddeen that is well used, not only in the legal field, but also in the field of history. “This collection of over 430 books covering Laws of Guyana, some of his personal work, perhaps the lesser known ones like the Roles of Lawyers in developing Guyana, some Caribbean Fiction and some politics is estimated at over G$2 million and this is just a preliminary estimate,” George disclosed.
In fact, an appreciative George noted that “I am personally touched and grateful to Sieyf for thinking of the University of Guyana Library at this time, when what is being said of UG is not always very flattering, to deposit his father’s collection.”
According to Deputy Vice Chancellor, Phillip DaSilva, not only is the endowment a special gesture, but it comes at a time when UG is celebrating 50 years of existence. “It is fitting for us to receive a gift, and a gift of this magnitude,” he added.
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