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This adversarial relationship does not auger well for UG’s image
Dear Editor,
The University of Guyana is the premier tertiary institution in the country. It has a key role to play in terms of teaching and research. It was established in 1963 by the PPP government with a view to providing a critical mass of trained and skilled personnel to man the country’s development process especially in view of our impending status as an independent nation which was eventually attained in May 1966.
Dubbed ‘Jagan Night School’ by the then political opposition, the University of Guyana has evolved over the decades to a national institution offering an expanded range of disciplines including Medicine, Law, Engineering, Arts and Sciences among others. To a large extent the University has been successful in fulfilling its mandate as a teaching and research institution, even though I believe much more can be done in the area of research. The Institute of Development Studies, the research arm of the University has regrettably not been generating research on issues critical to our development needs.
It is disheartening to read in the media of the continuing tense situation between the Vice-chancellor and two unions representing academic and non-academic staff. This adversarial relationship does not auger well for the image of the University. In the final analysis it is the students who are made to suffer. Only recently examinations at the University had to be rescheduled because of bomb threat.
The industrial relations climate is getting from bad to worse which I believe is due primarily to inadequate staff compensation. The salary gap between senior management and other staff members are too high and should be reviewed with a view to narrowing the salary differential that currently exists and, more particularly, to lift the salaries of those at the lower end of the salary scales.
The University of Guyana is one of our flagship institutions which have made a positive contribution over the decades to our national development. As a former student and member of the University Council, I urge the relevant authorities to intervene in order to bring a speedy resolution to the impasse that currently exists.
Hydar Ally
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