| Another cane-harvester’s son has excelled at the University of Guyana.This time it’s Sasenarine Tomby.Tomby, whose father is a cane harvester and mother a housewife, obtained a distinction in the Bachelor of Social Science Degree Programme in Public Management.Tomby received the Republic Bank Award for his achievement at the 14th Annual Convocation Exercise of the University Of Guyana Campus at Tain, Corentyne, on Saturday.Some 105 graduated from the Faculty of Social Sciences, 36 from the Faculty of Education and Humanities and 33 from the Faculty of Natural Sciences.The second best graduating student, Padmawattie Jainarain,China Jerseys Wholesale, achieved a Bachelor’s Degree in Primary Education.Garfield Grant who graduated with a distinction in the Degree of Public Management Course received the award for the graduating student who made the greatest contribution in other areas of University activities.He copped the Director of UGBC Award.The feature address at the convocation ceremony was delivered by First Vice President and Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo. The Prime Minister in his speech congratulated the graduates and told them that he was honored to be part of their day. In doing so he mentioned two rules; one, which is never to quit, while the other was to always remember rule one.“I too, like you, have moved up, being elevated six months ago, to the top of the Parliamentary graduation class.”!He told them that success does not come easy and gave a synopsis of his own life growing up in the tiny village of Whim,Cheap Air Max, not too far away, where he sold fish with his mother on a donkey cart,Cheap NHL Jerseys, to save for his first term’s fees, which was a princely $18.“Many of us who began from lowly and humble origins and could rise to heights of academic achievements, have made our parents,Cheap China Jerseys, our villages proud that they could produce persons of worth, persons of learning, who have overcome difficulties and challenges, and have achieved the status of University Graduates.”He mentioned other Berbicians like UG Chancellor, Professor Nigel Harris who excelled on the world stage.Turning to the achievements of the University he said that “Today we can justifiably be proud that the University of Guyana has produced an Executive President, a Prime Minister, a Vice President and several Ministers, and top echelons of the judiciary, including the learned Chancellor. These posts,Cheap Jerseys Free Shipping, in time, will all be available to alumni of the Berbice Campus.He noted that the whole administrative structure of the University must change to be in line with international standards and best practices, including the need for more funding, better qualified lecturers and expanded enrollment.The government, he said, will ensure that UG remains as independent as possible and will ensure the autonomy of the University remains as well as provision of grants and replenish the revolving fund for student loan.“As you leave here, you will feel that a burden has come off your shoulders. Your head will feel lighter, from pride, emotions of joy; and you will walk upright in rich self-esteem that you have achieved something you wanted to be.”He told them that the door is always open for them to return for a further taste of the nectar of knowledge and skills training, to be better prepared for the competitive, and often ‘cruel’, world of work.In parting he told them that “Life is short, live it; Love is rare, grab it; Anger is bad,Joel Ayayi Jersey, dump it; Fear is awful, face it; Memory is sweet, cherish it.”In giving his valedictory speech- valedictorian Tomby urged his fellow graduates to stop the brain drain and to stay at home. He urged them to stay and contribute for the betterment of the country.He reminded them that there is a common trend that runs through all, the desire for a brighter future. ““Over the past decades Guyana has been experiencing a serious brain drain. I am taking this opportunity to urge all of you of the UGBC class of 2015 to stay in this beautiful country we call home. Make it your ultimate goal today to aid in the momentum of development and make it your ultimate goal to see it reach the status of a developed country.” |
