Latest update August 15th, 2026 10:49 AM
Jun 17, 2020 News
In 2016, Narindra Persaud was one of the best graduating Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) students of the Saraswati Vidya Niketan (SVN) School and ever since, he has been excelling.
As testimony to his continued excellence, Persaud was recently awarded the Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship to pursue studies in the Faculty of Life Sciences at the University of Toronto, Mississauga. This is according to a press release issued by the school, which noted that “the Principal, Faculty and students of SVN have joined in congratulating and wishing Narindra Persaud continued success as he embarks on a journey to pursue a career as a general surgeon.”
According to the Times Higher Education World University rankings, University of Toronto is the 18th among the world’s top 100 universities.
This annual scholarship, named after a former Canadian Prime Minister, recognises international students who demonstrate academic excellence with a drive to leading the improvement of their communities. While thousands of students worldwide apply for this elite scholarship, Persaud is one of 38 students actually selected for the 2020 cohort. He succeeds Vamanadev Hiralall, who was granted the scholarship in 2018. It is worth acknowledging that Hiralall and Persaud, both of SVN, are the only students from Guyana to ever be awarded this prestigious scholarship.
Persaud hails from a humble background in the village of Zeelugt, East Bank Essequibo. Although Persaud was displeased with his performance at the NGSA, having secured a place at the Zeeburg Secondary, he was able to attend SVN and was one of the most outstanding performers at CSEC in 2016 attaining 20 subjects with 14 grade one passes.
He attributed his success to the dedication to excellence and discipline espoused by SVN together with the support of his teachers and family. After a one-year break from studies, Persaud returned to SVN to pursue studies at CAPE. Despite difficulties transitioning to full-time studies again, he was SVN’s best graduating student at CAPE in 2019 with passes in 14 units.
According to several of his teachers, Persaud has been an exemplary student of SVN evident by his competitive nature and devotion to producing excellent work. He has always strived to improve himself and this allowed for his outstanding academic achievements, the SVN statement said, adding that, “his enthusiasm extends to his current work as a Chemistry teacher at the school.”
Having grown up in a large impoverished neighbourhood where much importance is not given to education, Persaud has a passion for helping to alleviate these problems through his volunteer work. “Persaud also exemplifies the school’s philosophy of giving back to one’s community. He has also been involved in teaching science subjects to children at local orphanages and single-handedly organised SVN’s blood drive in October 2019.”
For further information, visit the University of Toronto Website: https://future.utoronto.ca/pearson/2020-scholars
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Rising Debt, Rising US Dollar Rate in Oil-rich Guyana!

Aug 15, 2026
By Rawle Toney (Kaieteur Sports) The Bayroc National Stadium in Linden has emerged as Guyana’s only track and field facility currently listed as certified by World Athletics. According to track and...Aug 15, 2026
(Kaieteur News) For months now Cuba has been under U.S. pressure. It is being starved of the resources it needs for energy in the face of the collapse of its electricity grid. And only a handful of individual and groups in Guyana have been brave enough to come forward and to condemn the imperialist...Aug 02, 2026
By Sir Ronald Sanders (Kaieteur News) – Daniel Ortega has now said openly what his regime has demonstrated for years: the people of Nicaragua are not to be permitted to remove their rulers through elections. During celebrations marking the 47th anniversary of the Sandinista Revolution, Ortega...Aug 15, 2026
Hard Truths by GHK Lall (Kaieteur News) I think that CCJ President, Dr. Winston Anderson, has only one option. My recommendation is that he tenders. From what is now concretised in the public record, most likely throughout the region, he is radioactive. If the allegations were from one colleague, I...Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.
Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: glennlall2000@gmail.com / kaieteurnews@yahoo.com