Latest update February 20th, 2025 12:39 PM
Mathematician, Professor Ramkissoon, launches autobiography in Guyana
Ms. Adonica Chase receiving an autographed copy of the Autobiography for the Cyril Potter College of Education.
Aimed at raising interest in the STEM subject areas, Professor Emeritus Harold Ramkissoon’s autobiography titled ‘My Journey’ was recently launched here in Guyana. The two-day launch occurred at the Turkeyen and Tain campuses of the University of Guyana [UG] on February 14 and 16, 2018 respectively.
In brief remarks recently, Professor Ramkissoon stated that it is not often that a Mathematician publishes a biography. However, he revealed that he was led to do so because he wanted to motivate students, especially the poor from rural areas who are left behind in STEM education.
His biography was first launched in his homeland Trinidad last year.
Moreover, Guyana is the first country outside of his homeland where this book has been launched. But according to Professor Ramkissoon, in his opinion, Guyana is like his second home, where he has worked with Guyanese scientists for more than two decades.
The recent launch ceremonies were chaired by Dean of the Faculty of Natural Sciences, Mr. Calvin Bernard at the Turkeyen Campus and Mr. Phillip Da Silva at the Tain Campus respectively.
Among the notable attendees were UG’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Ivelaw Griffith, Chief Education Officer of the Ministry of Education Mr. Marcel Hutson, students and teachers from several secondary schools and the Cyril Potter College of Education.
The dual events were co-hosted by UG and the Ministry of Education. Moreover, in attendance were representatives of a number of schools, all of whom received autographed copies of Professor Ramkissoon’s publication.
Professor Ramkissoon, who currently holds the position of chair of the Caricom Science, Technology and Innovation Committee [CSTIC] and of the University of the West Indies [UWI], has authored and published five books and more than 85 papers. The CSTIC was set up by Dr. Keith Mitchell, Prime Minister of Grenada and Prime Minister responsible for Science, Technology and Innovation in CARICOM.
Dr. Mitchell, who is also a mathematician, wrote the foreword of the book, which was read by Ms. Petal Punalall Jetoo, National Science Coordinator within the local Ministry of Education, and also a member of CSTIC.
The cover of the book
Dr. Dindyal Permaul, Principal of the Guyana School of Agriculture, shared a brief history on the Development of Science and Technology with the audience at the Tain Campus. At the launch ceremony too, Hutson pointed out the importance of Mathematics in developing critical thinking skills and outlined some of the interventions being undertaken by the Ministry of Education to support curriculum delivery.
Meanwhile, in sharing warm greetings, Professor Ivelaw Griffith at the Turkeyen Campus emphasised the need for the Caribbean to recognise their heroes and stated that persons such as Dave Martins, Dr. Clive Thomas, Dr. Ulric Trotz and many others are examples of heroes not to be forgotten.
UG is at the moment holding a series of lectures during which such heroes are recognised for their sterling contribution at home and abroad.
Professor Ramkissoon was accompanied to the launch ceremonies by his wife and a few other family members. Shortly after the commencement of the ceremony at the Turkeyen Campus, a minute of silence was observed in honour of the late Professor Lloyd Kunar, one of his colleagues, who is a Diaspora Guyanese and who passed away recently on an official visit to Guyana. Professor Kunar served as a member of the Science and Technology Policy working group that developed the Science and Technology Policy and Master Plan for Guyana in 2011.
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