AN academic is supposed to be honest and irreproachable in integrity.  They are not supposed to slander or libel people or engage in activities that will bring themselves or affiliated organizations into disrepute. Their writings are supposed to be cogent and logical and not replete with lies and distortions. Yet UG lecturer Freddie Kissoon is guilty of all those violations.

Freddie has egregiously and continuously distorted the views and comments of others as I, and so many others, have shown in responses to his writings – most recently with regards to the respected David DeCaires.  Freddie also misleads readers in his interpretations of social theories and concepts including that of Fareeed Zakaria.  And I am sure readers recall his erroneous explanation of the chemical element “Bismuth” a year ago. Freddie needs to be reminded that academic integrity and honesty are essential elements of a good teacher and he is sadly lacking in both.

Recently, someone reminded me how Freddie made the public feel he was “Dr. Freddie Kissoon”, only to be exposed by ordinary folks that he does not possess a doctorate. This, in academia, is called intellectual dishonesty that leads to serious disciplinary actions to the offenders.  In America, Freddie would have been shown the back door of even fourth rate universities and even grade schools.  But in Guyana, he gets away virtually with murder.

For several years, Freddie was called “Dr. Freddie” and was introduced everywhere as “Dr. Kissoon”.  Even students called him “Dr.” He never bothered to correct his title. Suspicions arose about his academic credentials because he never appeared very scholarly in his explanations of concepts and theories – not surprising since he continues to mislead readers about doctrines and social science concepts.

I am told that when quizzed about where he obtained his doctorate, Freddie finally admitted he did not possess a doctorate. It took him many years to correct a fallacy that was accepted by the public as a fact – the height of intellectual dishonesty. I remember a similar experience of the former President (Goldstein) of Kingsboro Community College in Brooklyn. For two decades, he was referred to and introduced as “Doctor” and even called himself Doctor. When he was asked one day where he got his doctorate, he could not provide answers.  Because of his “intellectual dishonesty”, he resigned from office from a job paying over U.S $300,000 a year.  Does Freddie possess that kind of integrity to resign from UG for misleading a nation about his academic qualification and for distorting comments of others? His acts of dishonesty are condemnable.

Freddie has shown no inclination to reform his behavior – to be truthful and honest and professional.  He engages in cuss outs with decent people including friends.  He attacks people unprovoked and without evidence to substantiate his claims.

As I indicated, academics must have basic moral obligations like honesty, integrity and decency. Freddie has not demonstrated these values. The world does not revolve around Freddie and his limited egotistical views.  Freddie must learn to respect others even when their views contradict with his and he should start being truthful.  It is not too late for him to reform his behavior and join the mainstream.
VISHNU BISRAM