President David Granger was Sunday the featured speaker at the graduation of the Saraswati Vidya Niketan school, which produced the top performers in this year’s CSEC exams, including aspiring petroleum engineer Victoria Najab.Najab gained 21 grade one passes, counting her double award in Agricultural Science, while runner-up, Vamanadev Hiralal gained 19 grade ones and a grade two.

According to the Ministry of the Presidency, Granger urged more students to gravitate to the fields of Science, Technology and Mathematics in order to meet the needs of Guyana.

Speaking on the quality of laboratories at Queens College, when he was a student there, President Granger said, “A Colonial government was able to create an educated, scientific elite by putting in front of students the resources [they need]. This is something we have to do at the University of Guyana and in all secondary schools around the country, if we are to become a really developed nation.”

The President said that he would be presenting her with $100,000.00 to assist with her Caribbean Advance Proficiency Examination (CAPE) studies.

Najab, who aims to become a petroleum engineer, spoke of how honoured she and fellow students are to have kept the school at the top of the academic pedestal.

“Today we are not only celebrating our own success, but we are making a great achievement for our country. We are children of this nation and our efforts are Guyana’s fortune and our accomplishments are Guyana’s triumph,” she said.