NEW Vice-Chancellor of the University of Guyana, Professor Ivelaw Griffith, held talks with President David Granger on Friday at the Ministry of the Presidency. Professor Griffith, who was recently appointed as the 10th Vice-Chancellor of the University of Guyana (UG), said that he sees his new position as an opportunity to give back to his country.
According to a release from the Ministry of the Presidency, during the meeting, President Granger pointed out that there is not a single aspect of the university’s administration that does not require attention.
He also assured the vice-chancellor of the Government’s commitment to providing financial and other support to restore UG to a position that is befitting of the nation’s premier tertiary education institution, the ministry said in a release.
Meanwhile, according to the release, the new vice-chancellor has already drafted a 12-point plan that is aimed at building a wider portfolio of resources for the university. He said that while Government’s support is essential, the alumni body, the diaspora and the international and business communities can provide much- needed support.
“UG needs much more than the Government can provide… We must find enterprising ways to make money,” he said. Professor Griffith, who was the first person in UG’s history to graduate with distinction in Political Science in 1980, will officially assume office as Vice-Chancellor on June 14. He replaces Professor Jacob Opadeyi. Earlier this month, the university inducted Professor Eon Nigel Harris as its ninth Chancellor.
Recently, Griffith, during a meeting with staff and stakeholders at the UG Turkeyen Campus, warned the governing council of the institution not to be tempted to usurp his role as was practised in the past and also called for more scientific research by the university to make it more relevant in today’s society.
He also described the nation’s premier tertiary institution as being in a “crisis” after his examination of three critical areas, which support the existence of the university and advanced some ideas as to how these can be fixed.
The VC stated that honesty would beckon all to recognise that the university is currently facing a crisis. His contention was supported by the examination of core challenges which UG has been confronted with for decades; a resource challenge, an esteem challenge, and what he described as a perspicacity challenge.
“We’ve got to face that three-dimensional challenge and fix it,” he said.
In his comments on the role of the university’s council, Griffith admonished that it must not usurp the responsibilities of the VC as was practised before.
Rather, he suggested that the two must know their roles and requirements at the university and effectively and efficiently work to fulfil their obligations.
“We have to enable the Council to do the Council’s work and not the vice-chancellor’s work. I will not be a VC allowing the council to do my work,” the VC said.