‘You are the heartbeat of a modern Guyana’ – Pres. Ali tells UG graduates

Nov 21, 2025 News

---

(Kaieteur News) – President Irfaan Ali on Thursday urged the University of Guyana’s (UG) Class of 2025 to keep expanding their knowledge and skills, calling them the “heartbeat” of a new and modern Guyana.

The 59th Annual Graduation Ceremonies began at the Turkeyen Campus on November 20 and will continue through November 22, with the Berbice Campus ceremony scheduled for December 6. This year, UG will graduate nearly 3,600 students from 180 diploma, degree, and postgraduate programs—the largest class in the University’s 62-year history.

 

 

Addressing this year’s graduating class in a video message, the Guyanese leader said, given the unfolding developments in the country, Guyana is in the midst of a historic transformation. He noted that the country’s economy is expanding, its infrastructure is growing, and the society is evolving in ways once thought impossible. “Yet the real engine of this transformation is not oil or investment. It is people. It is you. Transformation demand skills, development depends on people who are accomplished, qualified and future ready,” he informed.

The President said that the Guyana that is being built needs engineers and educators, innovators and entrepreneurs, health professionals, policy thinkers and citizens who are equipped with knowledge, skills and values to propel the country forward.

“That is why the introduction of free tertiary education at the University of Guyana marks a bold step in our national journey. Free University education is a nation building investment that ensures that no capable mind is left behind and that every Guyanese, regardless of background, can aspire to higher learning. Free education must serve the broader goal of preparing graduates for a modern industrial knowledge driven Guyana, it must not only open the doors of access, but also raise the standards of excellence,” he remarked.

In his charge to the graduates, he noted that to drive national transformation, they must embrace a new mindset. “Learning must never end. Education cannot stop at graduation. It must become a lifelong pursuit. The world you’re entering is changing faster than ever before. Technology evolves daily. Industries reinvent themselves overnight. In such a world, the greatest skill is the ability to keep learning, keep adapting and keep growing,” he explained.

President Ali also informed them that the continuous enhancement of one’s knowledge and abilities is essential and it is a national imperative to the new modern Guyana.

Noting that they are the generation that will shape the workforce of a new Guyana, one that is globally competitive, technologically driven and environmentally responsive, he also encouraged the graduates to uplift others. “The journey of transformation is not a spring. It is a continuum of learning, discovery and reinvention. So, as you step into this exciting new chapter, remember that a modern Guyana we envision will be built by lifelong learners. Those who apply their learning to uplift others will be the true architects of our national progress, your education has empowered you. Now let your learning empower others, let your curiosity drive change. Let your ideas move Guyana forward,” he expressed.

Similarly, in congratulating the Class of 2025, Minister of Education, Sonia Parag told them that they represent the creativity, intelligence and leadership that will drive Guyana forward and that the University of Guyana has equipped them with the knowledge and values that the nation needs. “Now more than ever, Guyana is developing rapidly, opportunities are expanding, new industries are emerging, and the world is watching your transformation with excitement and optimism. Your education is not just a personal victory, it is a national investment. You are the engineers of Guyana’s future. You are the educators who will inspire the next generation. You are the innovators who will solve challenges we have not yet imagined,” she said.

Recognising their hard work and determination in pursue of their degree, she informed them that this step only marks the beginning of the world ahead. “Graduates, dream, boldly, work purposefully, remain grounded in service to your community and to your country,” she added.

On Thursday, the university held two graduating sessions, one in the morning which saw students of the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, Faculty of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, and the Institute of Distance and Continuing Education being conferred. While the afternoon session held the Faculty of Natural Sciences.

Yesterday also, the University’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Paloma Mohamed-Martin awarded the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Engineering to Mr. Egbert ‘Bert’ Carter for his illustrious career in civil engineering, environmental planning, and heritage preservation spans more than six decades. The Honorary Degree of Doctor of Engineering was also conferred to Professor Clement Sankat for his distinguished career in engineering education and research which has shaped technical advancement across the Caribbean and most notably at the level of the University in Trinidad and Tobago and Belize.

At the graduation ceremony of the Faculty of Natural Sciences, Executive Chairman of the Nand Persaud Group of Companies, Mr. Mohindra Persaud was conferred by the Vice Chancellor with the Honourary Degree of Doctor of Science for his exceptional contribution to the field of business and philanthropy.

The university had said that “this year’s honorees represent excellence in embodying the university’s commitment to national development, innovation, and cultural pride.” The University of Guyana announced on Thursday that the 2025 Valedictorian is Daniel Persaud, who is an electrical engineer at the Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL). Persaud was conferred a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering in the Faculty of Engineering and Technology and secured a Perfect Grade Point Average (GPA) of 4.0. He copped the coveted prize of the President’s Medal for Best Graduating Student with a bachelor’s degree.

---

• Clement Sankat, Daniel Persaud, Egbert ‘Bert’ Carter, Graduates, Honourary Doctorate, Nand Persaud, UG

---