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RENAISSANCE VOL. 3, NO. 1

Dear readers,

Welcome to Volume 3, No. 1 of Renaissance, the newsletter from The Office of the Vice-Chancellor in which we share all the latest activities and developments taking place at The University of Guyana.

It is said that change is the only constant in life, and this is certainly the case at the University. Many significant transformations are occurring at this great institution – just some of which are highlighted in this January/February edition.

One major step is the appointment of a new Council to oversee the effective management of University affairs. Another is the election of a new Pro-Chancellor. There is also growth in the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, and
plans for a new library with modern amenities that will facilitate greater learning and research.

Other notable mentions include the Conversations on Law and Society series, a rare autobiography, the recent epilepsy-awareness forum, plus our annual Open/Career Day, track and field sporting events, and much more.

On behalf of the Vice-Chancellor and staff of The University of Guyana, we invite you to follow the progress and achievements of the University through future editions of Renaissance, and to spread the word about these exciting developments.

UG hosts symposium to address suicide and youth violence

The University of Guyana (UG) in collaboration with the Caribbean Alliance of National Psychological Associations (CANPA) today presented a Suicide, Youth Violence and Professional Psychology Symposium at the Pegasus Hotel.

The all-day symposium saw presentations from academics and stakeholders of the education and health sectors on Suicide, Violence, and Psychology.

Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Karen Cummings stated that the symposium is timely and relevant since it comes at a time when Guyana is faced with many social problems.

“This programme will produce highly trained practitioners capable of competently and professionally addressing the variety of mental health issues in order to enhance the lives of those who often times suffer in silence. More importantly, our new professionals will be able to address the stigma and humiliation to which both victims and family members are subjected by society,” Dr. Cummings said.

She reiterated the importance of psychologists in society while noting that she is confident the symposium will lead to the formulation of strategies to advance the study of psychology in Guyana.

“Today’s symposium I am certain will provide a valuable opportunity for psychology professionals from different cultural backgrounds and diverse field to explore the impact of psychology as a field of practice on community and individual mental health care,”

President of CANPA, Professor Omwowale Marshall noted his satisfaction in partnering with the University and explained the aim of his organisation.

“What we have come to do is to show you an array of glimpses of psychology, psychological science, and practice; so that you can see what our profession can offer Guyana,” Professor Marshall expressed.

Meanwhile, UNICEF representative, Paolo Marchi said the seminar will assist in the protection of children and pointed out that according to UNICEF reports, the Caribbean has one of the highest rates of violence against children in the world

“According to Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey 2014, almost 70 percent of Guyanese children have been victims of a form of violence. Violence often leaves visible scars, violence always leaves invisible ones,” Marchi underscored.

He added, “Today’s event not only highlights the gravity of the level of violence including self-harm and suicide but also provides an opportunity for us to know what the trends are, what are the emergency issues we must consider, and how these issues can be prevented and treated.”

The symposium saw panel discussions on Reducing Selected Risk Factors, Screening to Intervene Early, Effective and Promising Psychological Interventions and
Expressions of Youth Violence and a Professional Response.

Article adapted from: http://gina.gov.gy/ug-hosts-symposium-to-address-suicide-and-youth-violence/

UG launches its psychology programme for the first time

As of January 2018, persons will have the opportunity to attend courses for Psychology at the University of Guyana (UG), following the launch of the programme on Monday evening at the institution’s Turkeyen campus.

In a feature address, Minister within Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Karen Cummings said that the inauguration of the programme demonstrates the efforts made by the university in assisting government’s agenda to address mental health issues.

“The government of Guyana through the Ministry of Public Health has embarked on a rigorous programme to address mental illness in Guyana. For the first time in the Ministry of Public Health, a mental health unit has been established, a number of intervention has already been conducted countrywide as we seek to build capacity within our public health system,” the Minister explained.

She noted that the launch of the programme indicates that the university is fulfilling its mandate of developing the human potential to tackle mental health issues.

The programme seeks to increase the number of mental health providers available to evaluate and treat psychological conditions, reduce the high rate of suicide and also increase awareness, prevention, support, and compassion for those suffering from mental illness. It also provides professional growth and development for those currently in the mental health workforce, under-graduate and graduate-level clinical psychology training.

It was highlighted that the development and enhancement of competence in the assessment, evaluation, and treatment of psychological problems would not only increase the level of professionalism of the field but reduce the burden of mental illness among the general population.

United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) representative Sylvie Fouet explained that the support offered to the university is simply the planting of seeds for tomorrow to sustain the programme.

She thanked Caribbean Network of Psychological Associations (CANPA) for their support in the initiative, noting that though there may be difficulties as the university launches its psychology programme, assistance will be provided.

Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Ivelaw Griffith noted that the programme is testimony of the university’s effort to aim high.  He added that the programme is one that the institution had envisaged for over 30 years; which led to several professors undertaking a preparatory psychology course.

The psychology programme will offer a certificate and diploma, and a bachelor’s degree in general psychology slated for September 2018 and a masters in clinical psychology which will be set aside for June 2018.

Those also present during the launch included Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic Engagement, Professor Michael E. Scott, Dean of The Faculty of Health Sciences, Dr. Emanuel Cummings, President of the Caribbean Network of Psychological Associations (CANPA) Prof. Omowale Omuleru Marshall and Deputy Vice Chancellor PACE – Professor Paloma Mohamed.

Article adapted from: http://gina.gov.gy/ug-launches-its-psychology-programme-for-the-first-time/

UG to offer diploma, bachelor's degree & masters in psychology

As of January 2018, persons will have the opportunity to attend courses for psychology at the University of Guyana (UG), following the launch of the programme on Monday evening at the institution’s Turkeyen campus.

In a feature address, Minister within Ministry of Public Health, Dr Karen Cummings said that the inauguration of the programme demonstrates the efforts made by the university in assisting government’s agenda to address mental health issues.

“The government of Guyana through the Ministry of Public Health has embarked on a rigorous programme to address mental illness in Guyana. For the first time in the Ministry of Public Health, a mental health unit has been established, a number of intervention has already been conducted countrywide as we seek to build capacity within our public health system,” the Minister explained.

She noted that the launch of the programme indicates that the university is fulfilling its mandate of developing the human potential to tackle mental health issues.

The programme seeks to increase the number of mental health providers available to evaluate and treat psychological conditions, reduce the high rate of suicide and also increase awareness, prevention, support, and compassion for those suffering from mental illness. It also provides professional growth and development for those currently in the mental health workforce, under-graduate and graduate-level clinical psychology training.

It was highlighted that the development and enhancement of competence in the assessment, evaluation, and treatment of psychological problems would not only increase the level of professionalism of the field but reduce the burden of mental illness among the general population.

United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) representative Sylvie Fouet explained that the support offered to the university is simply the planting of seeds for tomorrow to sustain the programme.

She thanked Caribbean Network of Psychological Associations (CANPA) for their support in the initiative, noting that though there may be difficulties as the university launches its psychology programme, assistance will be provided.

Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Ivelaw Griffith noted that the programme is testimony of the university’s effort to aim high.  He added that the programme is one that the institution had envisaged for over 30 years; which led to several professors undertaking a preparatory psychology course.

The psychology programme will offer a certificate and diploma, and a bachelor’s degree in general psychology slated for September 2018 and a masters in clinical psychology which will be set aside for June 2018.

Those also present during the launch included Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic Engagement, Professor Michael E. Scott, Dean of The Faculty of Health Sciences, Dr Emanuel Cummings, President of the Caribbean Network of Psychological Associations (CANPA) Prof Omowale Omuleru Marshall and Deputy Vice Chancellor PACE – Professor Paloma Mohamed.

Article adapted from: http://www.inewsguyana.com/ug-to-offer-diploma-bachelors-degree-masters-in-psychology/

UG thumps GDF by an innings and 159 runs

University of Guyana defeated Guyana Defence Force by an innings and 159 runs when the Georgetown Cricket Association/GISE/Star Party Rentals/Trophy Stall first division two-day tournament continued last weekend. UG took first strike and posted 359 all out at GDF ground. Omesh Danram struck 114, while Keron Sewnarine made 51; Damion Waldron bagged seven wickets. GDF were sent packing for 81 in reply. Dennis Heywood grabbed 5-14, Danram 3-6 and Suresh Dhanai 2-17. Batting a second time GDF were bowled out for 112 with Waldron scoring 61. Dhanai and Heywood claimed three wickets each.

At Malteenoes SC, rain stopped play between GNIC SC and Transport SC. Batting first TSC rattled up 330 all out. Charwayne McPherson slammed 81; Suresh Budhoo made 67, Refael Singh 42, Stephen Alves 37, Joel Spooner 29 and Akeem Redmon 22; Dwayne Dick and Ronale Bourne snared four wickets each. In reply, GNIC SC were 183-1 at stumps on the first day. Veeland Crandon made 63 and Marc Nicholson 93 not out. Rain prevented any play on Sunday.

Previously, Transport SC beat GDF by 173 runs. TSC took first strike and scored 217. Joel Spooner made 37 not out, Devaugh Nandan got 37, Steven Alves 27 and Rafael Singh 23. Randy Lindore picked up 3-14, Damian Waldron 3-27 and J. Chisolm 3-57. GDF were bowled out for 74 in reply. Waldron and Damien Whitney made 19 and 15 each as Spooner grabbed 5-8, Kevin Ross 2-17 and Franchot Duncan 2-28. TSC were sent packing for 90 in reply. Mark Ramsammy made 26 and Spooner 13 not out. Lindore captured 4-22, Andre Mc Farley 2-2 and D. Rajmangal 2-19. Set 234 to win, GDF were bowled out for 60 with Waldron scoring 33; Kevin Ross bagged 8-14 from 10.5 overs of which six were maidens.

Article adapted from: https://www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/2017/09/19/ug-thump-gdf-by-an-innings-and-159-runs/

Proposed Students' Complex

COMING SOON!

Find attached below the colour drawings for the proposed Students' Complex.

University of Guyana to establish School of Energy and Mines

THE University of Guyana is working on the establishment on a School of Energy and Mines aimed at bringing benefits not just to the oil-and-gas sector, but also the existing gold-mining sector, the ailing bauxite industry and other mineral-related sectors. Responding to a question posed at last Friday’s stakeholder engagement session with the University of Guyana alumni and the Guyanese diaspora at the Centennial College Event Centre, Scarborough, Toronto, Canada, Dr Barbara Reynolds, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Planning and International Engagement, pointed out that “one of the things we need to figure out is how to export our mineral wealth in a more comprehensive manner, even as we figure out how to deal with the likely increase and demand for ancillary services in the oil-and-gas sector, recognising that it has a trajectory and staying ahead of that curve in terms of the kinds of specialised engineering that we want to develop.”

Dr Reynolds, who was accompanied by Registrar Dr Nigel Gravesande, pointed out that the University of Guyana is also working on retooling its geological engineering programme to offer an undergraduate degree in mining engineering and is looking for expertise in and out of Guyana in this area. Plans are also afoot to establish a Business Development Unit to go after contracts and grants and to also bring business to the campus, working in conjunction with the public and private sectors. Explaining that the university recently started merchandising on a small scale, Dr Reynolds said this will be further expanded, so visitors will have the opportunity to purchase items as gifts when on vacation or other business in Guyana.

Dr Reynolds described the alumni engagement as “a good move,” but emphasised that partnerships need to be reciprocal. “We are not just going to beg. As a point of pride, we must have something to offer the other partner and one of the things we will do is to host students who come on exchange programmes. According to Dr Reynolds, the University of Guyana still has some archaic decision-making processes, one of them being that there must be two council members present for interviews and appointments, “so you could imagine what that means in getting people on board.”

The deputy vice-chancellor also opined that Guyanese do not see university education as an investment, “so almost everyone wants to pay their tuition fees by cash, no one wants to take a loan, but it’s unsustainable. “It has become such a culture that we don’t even have a bookstore that sells text books, so that has to change and in order to change that we have to use e-books, we have to be able to buy books. We have to have the capacity to negotiate, we have to have the capacity to plan ahead, but we also have to change the culture where a student will be willing to borrow to finance his or her education and be able to pay back. That does not currently exist.” Dr Reynolds lamented the fact that the University of Guyana does not have an Information Technology (IT) Infrastructure that includes safety and security issues, pointing out that “we have several overburdened and outdated systems – electrical, sewage, water and drainage. These are fundamental things, but they cost money.”

On a positive note, the deputy vice-chancellor disclosed that discussions are ongoing with government to acquire a loan through the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) for the construction of a new library, while the government has already provided a loan to build a new health sciences facility. “We are also in discussion with Movie Towne out of Trinidad and Tobago to develop a solar farm in order to supplement our energy.” Dr Reynolds boasted that the university recently launched the School of Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation and also hosted a conference of the Guyanese diaspora, which is critical “since we want to engage with the diaspora.”

“We don’t necessarily want to say to people that you must come home. I am a proud ‘comebackie’ after spending 30 years outside of Guyana. It’s not necessary that everyone can come home, but we definitely need to engage with people of Guyanese origin or their off-spring who are doing wonderful things in North America and elsewhere to engage and share some of those resources with the University of Guyana. Dr Reynolds also pointed to start commencement of a series on Law and Society and “for the first time in many years, we were able to fill the Walter Rodney Chair.” Touching on the needs of the university, the vice-chancellor said, it needs people who will help in building the pension fund which is a mere $20 000 per month, upped from $3 000 by Vice-Chancellor Professor Ivelaw Griffith, people who are willing to invest [in] food services, people in IT, even those who are willing to come and do short courses. The evening’s programme was coordinated by the Guyana Consulate in Toronto with Consular General (acting) Candida Daniels giving the welcoming remarks, while the chairperson was Tameshwar Lilmohan.

Article adapted from: http://guyanachronicle.com/2017/09/02/university-guyana-establish-school-energy-mines

Curtains come down on UG reading programme

THE curtains on Friday came down on the University of Guyana (UG) Library’s thirteenth annual “Reading is Fun” programme when participants were presented with certificates and prizes at the institution’s library at its Turkeyen Campus.

The programme was sponsored by Courts Guyana Incorporated for the past eight years to date and will continue to receive sponsorship. The programme had formerly run on its own for five years until Courts decided to give full sponsorship.

Customer Experience Manager of Courts, Shona Barker, said that “we’re happy to say that we were able to obtain a remarkable number of students and also able to meet with this programme as it continues to grow.”

At the ceremony there was a list of items portrayed by the youngsters who were registered as part of the programme. These items include dramatic poetry, an acoustic, a song and a skit.

“Items on the programme are used to show what they have gained and developed and to aid us in an evaluation of how we can do it [the programme] better” pointed out Gwyneth George the Chief Librarian at the University of Guyana.

George also pointed out that the programme targets what they call ‘vulnerable children’. For the past 13 years they have been working with the Sophia community of children whose ages range from 5 to 13. “The basic thing is reading but the programme does not only center on reading” George said.

The other activities which the programme aid in are health tests, educational tours, computer knowledge and creative work such as poetry. The youngsters were placed into a number of groups and they worked alongside skilled resource individuals who are exemplary in literacy and reading. These individuals consisted of members of the library staff and members from the department of humanities and education. The programme which runs three days per week for three weeks registered approximately 50 youngsters this year.

However compared to the numbers from the first two years when it had just begun, there has been a decline.

Article adapted from: http://guyanachronicle.com/2017/08/05/curtains-come-down-on-ug-reading-programme

Local Athletes offered full scholarship

The National Sports Commission (NSC) Friday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) agreement with two athletes, providing them full scholarships to Monroe College. This was disclosed during the signing held at NSC’s boardroom.

It was announced that 12 athletes, were given full scholarships to the University of Guyana (UG) while two athletes were scouted and offered full scholarships by the Monroe College, United States of America.

In brief remarks, Director of Sport attached to Ministry of Education Department of Culture, Youth and Sport Christopher Jones explained that the agency’s initiative to provide scholarships to the athletes were due to their performance at the Caribbean Free Trade Association(CARIFTA) Games, earlier this year.

“The National Sports Commission (NSC) would make available to the two athletes namely Onassha Rogers and Claudrice McKoy, the same amount that would have been used to facilitate them at the University of Guyana (UG),” Jones noted.

Jones said the amount offered will be provided on a yearly basis and totals $230, 000 per year for four years including $50,000 deemed as miscellaneous fees. He noted that the miscellaneous fees provided will be the same amount paid for those attending UG.

Jones highlighted that the athletes who are slated to depart on August 18, will receive their first payment Friday August 04. He noted that though the two athletes have accepted the college’s offer, they will still receive the payment per the agreement.

“As stipulated in the agreement should there be some reason they (athletes) are unable to complete the scholarship offered by Monroe College, the payments will cease however should they decide to pursue at UG, then the payment will continue,” the Director of Sport added.

Onassha Rogers, one of the athletes slated to depart for the US, expressed her gratitude towards the NSC and the government for their support in her abilities and furthering her education. She said that she hopes to make Guyana proud for giving her the opportunity.

“First of all, I would like to say thank you to the National Sports Commission (NSC), the Director of Sport Christopher Jones for this contribution made. I am very excited and happy for this opportunity to further my studies and I promise to do my best,” Rogers said.

The Director of Sport noted that the agreement signed is part of the government’s mandate of honouring their commitment towards providing platforms for the athletes’ development.

Article adapted from: http://gina.gov.gy/local-athletes-offered-full-scholarship/

UG on course to addressing 'REP' problem - Vice-Chancellor

Faced with a “REP” problem for a protracted period, the University of Guyana [UG] is in desperate need of redemption. The way has already been paved for this renaissance but the problem must be recognised in order for it to be effectively addressed.

Several problems faced by the state university were recently amplified by its Principal and Vice Chancellor, Professor Ivelaw Griffith. “UG has had an REP—Resources, Esteem, and Perspicacity—problem. I am quite mindful of the prescient proposition of Writer and Philosopher, Rabindranath Tagore: ‘You cannot cross the sea simply by standing and staring at the water.’ “Thus, on assuming the Vice-Chancellorship, rather than lament, I launched Project Renaissance, which aims to rebuild UG’s educational and economic enterprise and enable it to become a consequential national and international educational stakeholder,” asserted Professor Griffith.

Professor Griffith’s remarks were made during his inaugural speech after making history as the first Vice Chancellor of the UG to have a coronation ceremony. But Professor Griffith hopes to also make history by revolutionising the national university.

He observed that “this institution’s recent yesterdays have been characterized by neglect and stormy seas, with an interlinked three-dimensional predicament, which revolved around resources, both in relation to acquisition and management; esteem, internal as well as external, and notably in relation to academic credibility and brand; and perspicacity, in that the University had lost its intellectual spunk when it comes to critical inquiry and theoretical and applied research.”

He said that his vision for a renaissance project is both a dreaming and doing project. “Why dream, some have asked, when this University has suffered such neglect and for so long? This Renaissance Bridge Building Project has four main pillars, called imperatives, and six values,” asserted Professor Griffith.

According to the university’s Principal, the first imperative is capital investment, which involves human capital, physical capital, and brand capital. Second to this is academic enhancement, which Professor Griffith said, entails improving instructional credentials, curricula and andragogy [adult education], and introducing new educational programmes and research to address national and regional business, civic, and overall development needs.

He pointed out that the economic viability imperative is the third pillar. This imperative, he said, requires fortifying the major existing revenue streams, that is, government subventions and tuition fees but also expanding the revenue base, through alumni and corporate giving, grants, and merchandising.

The fourth Imperative, Alumni Engagement, entails reaching out to UG graduates within and outside Guyana, celebrating their accomplishments, and inviting them to aid the continued pursuit of our mission and goals.

“As one might suspect, pursuing Project Renaissance has daunting, Herculean elements. It entails facing and fixing, to quote writer James Baldwin, and it involves pursuing new ventures and setting new baselines, some of which are new to UG and to Guyana, although not new to the academy in many parts of the world,” said Professor Griffith.

“Understandably, then, decision-making often has been—and will be—tough. But, as Roy Disney once averred—and correctly so, in my view: ‘It’s not hard to make decisions once you know what your values are,” said Professor Griffith who confidently underscored that “our Renaissance pursuits are guided by six cardinal values: Respect, Integrity, Excellence, Transparency, Inclusion, and Efficiency.”

But such values, according to the Vice Chancellor, cannot be merely platitudinous incantations; they must be lived. He added, “in relation to excellence, for example, Aristotle reminds us of the importance of habituation: ‘We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit,’ he said. Living these values is particularly important at this period of Guyana’s contemporary history, as our nation has a considerable Respect-deficit and Integrity-challenged profile.

The onus is on us at the University to aid the alteration of this profile over time,” underscored the Vice Chancellor. Even as he pointed out that changes introduced at the university have started to yield laudable results, Vice Chancellor Griffith noted that this has not been without challenges and criticisms. He, however, noted that the University will continue to boasts of its success. This, he revealed, will entail the posting of a scorecard to the University’s website for the world to see.

Article adapted from: http://www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/2017/08/02/ug-on-course-to-addressing-rep-problem-vice-chancellor/