Inaugural sitting of UG Transformational Task Force convened

Feb 12, 2016 News

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-endorsed by Gov’t, Judicial system

By Sharmain Grainger
The speakers are perhaps the ones to be credited with transforming the atmosphere at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre yesterday morning into one that exuded a sense that a much needed change is not only

necessary, but underway, for the University of Guyana.
The occasion was the highly anticipated launch of a recently established Transformational Task Force for the University which was not without its fair share of notable attendees.  This is in spite of the absence of Minister of Education, Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine, who was slated to present the main address. He was, however, aptly represented by his Technical Adviser on Tertiary Education, Mr. Vincent Alexander, who before his current portfolio, worked for more than three decades at the University.
The forum saw the attendance of officials including Guyana Defence Force Chief of Staff Brigadier Mark Phillips, Acting Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Carl Singh and Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Shamdeo Persaud. But maybe one of the most recognised attendees was Finance Minister, Mr. Winston Jordan, whose presence was well received by University of Guyana (UG) Chancellor, Professor Nigel Harris.
“Minister of Finance let me say that you’re a most welcomed guest, and in fact, a most welcomed presence,” said Professor Harris amid a chuckle as he delivered his remarks.
He continued by disclosing that there is an understanding by the current Government that there is a need for a change at the University. In fact he claimed to have knowledge that President David Granger is very committed to change.
“I want to say that the first gesture has been made by the Minister of Finance, and I am so glad that you are here so that we can thank you. There has been an increase in the subvention that has been made to the University of Guyana.”
In his presentation of the 2016 national budget, the Finance Minister announced that $3.2 billion has been allocated to the University, which represents a 52 percent increase. This move he described as a first step to making

the university a true institution of higher learning
As he turned his attention to the reason for yesterday’s forum, the Guyana-born Professor Harris, who held the position of Vice Chancellor at the University of the West Indies as well as other portfolios at other prestigious institutions before assuming role of Chancellor, said that he had long recognised the need for a conversation about UG.
He disclosed that while the University has played a vital role over the years to churn out a number of skilled persons over the past 50 years, there still exists a sense of discontent.
“There is a sense that if this University is to truly serve the social and economic development needs of Guyana in a modern world that is driven by technology, communication and all the wonderful things that happen; if we are going to be competitive in that unforgiving world, then we need to be doing much more than we are presently,” Professor Harris emphasised.
Moreover, it is expected that the Task Force will help to identify challenges at the local University and chart a plausible way forward that will aid needful improvement measures.
But according to him, one of the issues that have to be addressed is the financing of the transformational venture.
“I think it is going to be a critical question, and I think in no country in the world today attempting to create really competitive universities that Government financing, just in subventions alone, are going to be sufficient to carry the enterprise to where it has to go. It has got to be a broad effort. Government, not only from subvention, but creating an environment…policy changes that will enable the access to funding,” the Chancellor stressed.
Following its ceremonial launch, the Task Force commenced its first sitting of a three-day session. Among the speakers yesterday were Major General (Ret’d) Joseph Singh, Special Assistant to the President, who was tasked with focusing on the National Development needs and the University; Dr Oudho Homenauth, Chief Executive Officer, National Agriculture Research Extension Institute, who focused on the priorities and requirements for the development of the Agriculture Sector, and Dr. Hector Butts, Finance Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, who examined Financing of Tertiary Education and the University of Guyana.
The sessions will culminate on Saturday.
The Task Force includes representation from the University Council – which comprises representatives including academic, non-academic and student unions; other persons selected from the wider society and persons drawn from the Diaspora.
According to Professor Harris, as long as UG is seen as merely a “fall back” tertiary institution and not as alluring as those abroad, a challenge will continue to exist. Such a situation, he warned, must be addressed. But the issues ranging from remuneration to infrastructure are already well known. However, many recommendations made in the past were not implemented.
“With all that has gone before, why bother to try again?  Well, my point is that if not now, when?” Professor Harris questioned, as he stressed the need for a “dramatic leap” if Guyana is to reposition itself.
“Our University must be a central player in making that dramatic leap, because ultimately they’re turning out the people, they are doing the research that will drive and engineer where we go as a society,” Professor Harris asserted.
In order to get to the required place, the Chancellor underscored the need to “undertake a moment of understanding where we are. We need to revisit what it is that Guyana needs out of the University.”
The transformational course of action was on the cards since the coalesced APNU+AFC Government assumed power in May of last year.
In fact, Minister Roopnaraine had told this publication that he intended to ensure that the University would have realised a much needed transformation within five years. This goal was put to the Chancellor by the Education Minister.
However, Mr. Alexander in speaking on behalf of the Minister yesterday disclosed that the Minister was instead advised by the Chancellor to allow the University to initiate and own the transformation process. This is in keeping with the Chancellor’s view that the University should not be politicised.
“A University has got to be operated by its community and overseen by a broad Council that has members of the Government there and members of the private sector, but the academic community needs also to be present in terms of those discussions,” asserted Professor Harris.
Quoting a document by Justice Singh, Professor Harris said, “University autonomy has been defined as the freedom of the University to govern, appoint the officers, determine the conditions of the service of its staff, control staff admission and academic curricula, control its finances, and generally, to regulate itself as a legal entity functioning in accordance with its statutes, freedom of expression, freedom of action, freedom to dissemination information and freedom to conduct research and distribute knowledge without hindrance or restriction.” Based on the Chancellor’s document, these concepts are the bedrock of flourishing and meaningful academia.
Yesterday’s event was chaired by Registrar of the University, Dr. Nigel Gravesande, and opening remarks were also presented by Acting Vice Chancellor of the University, Dr. Barbara Reynolds. The event was also attended by outgoing UG Vice Chancellor, Professor Jacob Opadeyi, and Permanent Secretary of the Education Ministry, Ms. Delma Nedd.

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