Latest update February 10th, 2025 7:48 AM
Efficient Student Loan Agency on the horizon – UG’s Deputy Vice Chancellor
- as spanking new $26.5M Head Office commissioned for agency
The commissioning of the new edifice. In forefront is Minister of Finance Winston Jordan, with a student currently on work study at the Ministry.
The Student Loan Agency (SLA) was yesterday presented with a brand new Head Office on the University of Guyana (UG) Turkeyen campus, as part of the move toward greater efficiency, better record keeping and more comfortable quarters for staff and students.
The edifice, which cost some $26.5M, was commissioned yesterday after Minister of Finance; Winston Jordan outlined the new basis upon which acquiring student loans would rest.
Deputy Vice Chancellor of UG, Dr. Elisabeth Ramlal, also voiced several expectations.
According to Ramlal, with the new building come reinforced responsibilities. She made it clear that students not only had a legal obligation (as spelt out in their contracts), but a moral one. She noted that their actions today would have an effect on the next generation of students tomorrow.
Dr. Ramlal, who is currently performing the duties of Vice Chancellor since Professor Ivelaw Griffith is out of the country, also expressed expectations that there would be a more efficient loan processing system. This system, she said, would be three pronged and involve students, the University and the Ministry of Finance.
“We would like to see a greater level of collaboration between our registry, our bursary and the offices of the student loan agency that would facilitate timely registration. Timely registration is an issue.”
“I would also like to (emphasize) repayment, on the part of students. If a fund is to be operated on a revolving basis, it is essential to have a low default rate. And the issue of access to funds for the next generation of students is important.”
Meanwhile, Head of the SLA, Rawle Sue-Ho, also addressed the gathering. He praised the new edifice, stating that it was something which staffers of the agency have been calling for, for over two decades.
The spanking new building, which costs $26.5M
“Since the start of the student loan agency, the accommodations for students were inadequate. The public area, as we know, was cramped and with no seating arrangements. Our current arrangements are no longer like that.”
“The students will now have a better experience when working with the SLA. They can come in, be comfortably accommodated and have a more efficient service. The staff of the SLA was also housed in the cramped conditions.
“Our previous building had structural issues, as realized in the consistent leaking in the ceiling and the constant unhealthy conditions for the staff. So this will have a higher morale for the staff.”
Sue-Ho noted that with the new procedures announced by Minister Jordan, coupled with the new accommodations, there was bound to be an overall improvement in service.
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