President urges UG graduates to use newly acquired skills to “Revolutionise Guyana’s Development”

Feb 13, 2022 News

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– businessman and leading Scientist deliver uplifting speeches

Kaieteur News – President Dr. Irfaan Ali, in a message to the University of Guyana (UG) graduating Class of 2020/2021, urged the graduates to use their newly-acquired skills to develop themselves and to help “revolutionise Guyana’s development”.

President Ali underscored that Guyana needs the expertise of all of the graduates as the future of the country now rests in their hands. “You the graduates of the Class of 2020/2021 have successfully equipped yourself with the most potent arsenal of change ‘a University education’. You must now use the knowledge, the skills, and the values that you would have acquired to change your personal circumstances and revolutionise Guyana’s development,” the Head of State urged the graduates.
“Your country needs your expertise. Guyana is on a transformative path of development towards a modern and diversified economy. One which will attach extreme importance to the development and retention of these highly skilled and knowledgeable graduates. Your education will unlock doors and open windows of opportunities for you to contribute to national development,” the President told the graduates.
The Head of State heaped praises on the University of Guyana for the excellent work it is doing in building the human resources capacity of the nation and pledged his Government’s continued support in ensuring the institution is provided with the resources to carry out its mandate.
“It is because we believed in the transformative power of education that my Government is devoting increased resources towards improving our education system including University education. We remain committed to equipping the University of Guyana with the tools needed to respond to the needs of an increasingly knowledge-based society,” President Ali stated.
Minister of Education, Ms. Priya Manickchand in delivering the charge to the graduates said: “I charge you to always embrace the reality that you stand on the shoulders of giants; and as they did, you now have a responsibility to share the knowledge, skills, and dispositions acquired here with your fellow citizens.”
She added: “I charge you to embrace the concept of ‘One Guyana’ and actively seek out ways in which we can advance our ability to not merely coexist, but to do so in genuine harmony, with respect, and general goodwill towards each other despite our differences.”

“I also charge you to be intrepid, imaginative, and innovative. Dream the big dreams and be bold enough to pursue them at all costs. Envision a Guyana at the pinnacle of progress and endeavour to fully contribute to attaining such,” the Minister urged the graduants.
Representatives of the UG Alumni Association, President of the Georgetown Chapter, Sarah Bharrat and Somattie Seranje delivered remarks at the first and second ceremonies respectively. They both urged the graduates to think beyond themselves and encouraged them to invest in the University that has shaped and moulded them to be the individuals they are today.

GRADUATION CEREMONIES
UG, last weekend (February 4 and 5), kicked off its first two virtual graduation ceremonies with powerful and uplifting speeches from two well respected and influential leaders in the fields of business and science – prominent businessman Stanley Ming and leading Guyana-born Pfizer scientist Mr. Vidia Roopchand, respectively.
UG, the nation’s apex state University is currently hosting a series of online graduation ceremonies which will see close to 2,600 graduants walking the virtual graduation stage. The ceremonies are being held in clusters. At the first ceremony, a total of 635 students graduated – 367 from the Faculty of Engineering and Technology, 218 from the School of Entrepreneurship & Business Innovation, and 50 from the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry. This ceremony presented the Faculty of Engineering and Technology graduating its first batch of students with the Associate of Science in Petroleum Engineering.

At that ceremony, renowned businessman, former politician, philanthropist and champion racer, Mr. Stanley Ming delivered a stirring address in which he urged the graduates to remain in Guyana and, “engage in activities and careers that will be fulfilling to you and be beneficial to your families as well as our national development.”
Mr. Ming left three main pieces of advice with the graduates: “First, my advice to you is to establish partnerships with your fellow graduates and with Guyanese of all races. I repeat all races both from within and from abroad. Second, surround yourselves with friends and colleagues who know much more than you do and collectively you will do significantly more than just as individuals. And third, give back. Make it a habit. Make it part of your philosophical view of life. Make it part of your daily life.”
The accomplished businessman then added: “If and when you start a company, make sure your employees are happy. Make sure you give back to them through good salaries, benefits, and most importantly, give back by respecting them. Dignity is a critical element in how you give back. Respect everyone from the domestic assistant and security guard to the CEO.”
Mr. Ming further admonished the graduates to become servant leaders. “I hope some of you will seek the sacred job of becoming servant leaders…the hand that serves is holier than the lips that pray. This is the sign of a servant leader,” he expressed passionately.
You Are Now Members of a Unique Community
Meanwhile, the second ceremony which was held on Saturday, February 5, saw a total of 552 students graduating – 274 from the Faculty of Natural Sciences, 223 from the College of Medical Sciences and 55 from the College of Behavioural Sciences and Research.

This ceremony also saw the College of Behavioural Sciences and Research graduating its first batch with the Diploma in General Psychology.
At that ceremony, another powerful and uplifting address was delivered by Guyana-born scientist at Pfizer; Mr. Vidia Roopchand. Mr. Roopchand rose to international fame for his role in the development of the Pfizer vaccine which is currently being rolled out in countries, including Guyana, to help fight the dreaded Coronavirus (COVID-19) disease.
Mr. Roopchand, who is originally from the Island of Wakenaam, congratulated the graduating class for persevering to the end in challenging and difficult circumstances. “You are now members of a unique community. The community has never more desperately needed the benefits of science and technology, newly discovered knowledge and pursuit of truth.”
“We live in a world that is rapidly changing and one that is being defined more and more by technology. I would venture to say that we are in the fourth industrial revolution. And like all other industrial revolutions, adaptability will be key to societies at large in the future,” he noted.
“This is an opportune time in history to start establishing the foundation for the technologies which will define the fourth industrial revolution in Guyana. Guyana has the potential to be a major player in renewable energy and biotechnology,” the scientist said.
Mr. Roopchand, who is also an alumnus of UG’s Faculty of Natural Sciences, encouraged the graduates to be open-minded and teachable throughout their lives as science is ever-evolving. He emphasised: “Your friends will correct you when you engage in self-destructive behaviour. Do not limit your conversations only to people who agree with you, diametrically opposed views should be heard and debated. Avoid the cancel culture, it is counterproductive…. admit when you’re wrong, learn from your mistakes, accept your failures, and embrace them as learning opportunities and move on.”
The top scientist admonished the graduates to ensure they have a balanced life, “Seek to find balance between your personal life and your professional life. You will find fulfilment when both of these aspects of your life flourish. And most of all, lead with potential, integrity, compassion, a sense of duty, and a sense of purpose, it will define you in the years ahead.” (University of Guyana)

 

 

 

 

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