The University of Guyana (UG) has to pay serious attention to the terms, conditions and remuneration of professors in order to retain them.

This is according to Interim University of Guyana Vice-Chancellor, Professor Lawrence Carrington, who expressed the view at a recent briefing convened at the Education Lecture Theatre, UG Turkeyen Campus.

He stressed the move is necessary as the university has to compete with other universities which are offering better wages.

Professor Carrington said the extent to which the university can provide working research conditions that allow scholars and academics to achieve personal level of satisfaction in their work is another important factor in retaining these professionals.

But these developments are long term matters and require the university to determine a starting point to have them addressed.

Nevertheless, the Interim Vice-Chancellor stated, attention has to be paid to the fact that not only UG is having difficulty retaining its staff, as there is also a high outward migration from Guyana that affects a large number of agencies here.

He said though the reasons for the problem at the university are similar to the other affected organisations, they cannot be addressed in the same manner.

Professor Carrington said since his appointment to serve at UG in April this year, he has had discussions with several key individuals on the way forward for the school.

The Interim Vice-Chancellor reported that based on discussions with Education Minister Shaik Baksh, the latter’s commitment to the success of the university is clear and much appreciated.

He also acknowledged a promising exchange with Health Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy, on how UG can contribute to quality of health care in Guyana as well as how programmes offered at UG can benefit from collaboration with the Health Ministry.

Professor Carrington stressed too his meeting with President Bharrat Jagdeo has already begun to bear fruit, pointing out the President’s grasp of issues affecting the university and his willingness to advance its success is explicit and tangible.

In addition to interacting with the relevant arms of the government, the distinguished scholar said he has spent some time meeting with foreign ambassadors, international agencies and members of the donor community.

“I have encountered a high degree of willingness to engage with the University of Guyana to our mutual benefit. The level of goodwill in that sector is strong, and it augurs well for our prospects of contributing significantly to the development of Guyana,” he said.

The top UG administrator is this week scheduled to have discussions with Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud and Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, and his office is planning a date for a similar appointment with Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh.

He is also expected to soon meet with private sector groups and anticipates an equally beneficial relationship with the manufacturing, industrial, business and commercial sectors.