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Freddie Kissoon replies to Dr. Troy Thomas
Dear Editor,
I refer to Dr. Troy Thomas letter (“Mindful of serving UGSSA and TIGI,” SN, Feb 17, 2018) in which he responds to my observation that he examines many institutions for dubious governance under the aegis of TIGI but has never pronounced on bad governance at UG. My remarks were not meant to be accusatory. Dr. Thomas has my respect and admiration. There are too many cowards in this country and that explains Guyana’s brittle moral substance. When persons like Dr. Thomas come forward, they must be welcomed.
There are some grey areas in Dr. Thomas’ response which will have to wait for another time. Suffice it to say I would like to see TIGI cast its net on UG. UG is one of Guyana’s seminal institutions. It ranks very high in the scheme of things when you think of the purpose it serves. I probably would have ended up in jail or died from starvation if UG didn’t save me, so UG has a special place in my heart. Unfortunately, despite my twenty six years of successive service to UG, the powers that be have never seen it fit to even have a conversation with me on UG, much less ask me if there is any area in which I would be willing to contribute to UG’s continuing existence. That attitude hasn’t bothered me, though I can bravely say, I gave Khemraj Ramjattan a piece of mind when we sat to talk for almost an hour in his office.
I have nothing negative to say about Dr. Thomas’s activism, but just hope that TIGI will at some time investigate questionable governance at UG, and I say to Dr. Thomas, the complaints I get are from credible, patriotic staff members of long standing. They are simply worrying. I will conclude with just one example. I have spent the greater part of my life at UG as student and lecturer. As an academic I know how professorship is acquired. It is hard work with serious publications in peer reviewed journals.
I have been told that the type of governance we have at UG sees people getting professorship that would not happen in any self-respecting university. When one has the professor title attached to his/her academic name, that person’s scholarship must be very formidable. Your publications must be as long as the Essequibo River. This is one of the most troubling complaints I have received from academics whose integrity I respect. It is in this context, I would wish for TIGI to show some concern as to what is taking place at UG. I wish Dr. Thomas well in his activism and would be willing to respond to any request to help TIGI or TIGI’s research into UG’s style of governance.
Frederick Kissoon
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