MR. Maxwell seems to have a lot of time on his hands to express nonsensical opinionated ideas and not enough time to do his homework. In his letter published by Kaieteur News on August 26th, 2011, he indicated that the Government of Guyana is responsible for the University of Guyana and is responsible for its decision to discontinue the new health sciences degree programmes, including Pharmacy, Optometry and Rehabilitation Science.
Also, If Mr. Maxwell had learned investigative journalism, he would not need commonsense to realize that his mythical ideas have no bearing without proper evidence and support. Since Mr. Maxwell has not done his homework, I would like to take a few minutes to educate him about the issues surrounding these new programmes.
Firstly, if he knows so much about Guyana’ s history, he should know that the University of Guyana is an independent institution and that the administration of the university is not governed by the government of Guyana, or any political party. The process of introducing new programmes starts at the department level and ends with the approval at the University of Guyana Council. So far there has not been any indication by the university to discontinue any new programmes with respect to the degree in Optometry and the degree in Rehabilitation Science. The introduction of a Degree in Pharmacy is not a new programme, but an upgrade from the Associate Degree being currently offered there. Persons knowledgeable about the programmes offered by the Health Science Faculty would be aware of this. Perhaps, Mr. Maxwell needs preparatory lessons on how a university functions.
The degrees in Pharmacy, Optometry and in Rehabilitation Science programmes, with a new fee structure of G$250, 000 per academic year for each programme, was approved at the Academic Board level in 2009 after being examined and reviewed by the Academic Policy and Planning unit. However, the matter of new programmes and new fees never reached the Council for approval. The normal tuition fee for these programmes in question is G$127,000 per academic year.
Upon approval by the Academic Board in early 2010, advertisements by the university were placed to attract prospective students to these new programmes. Prospective students responded and were accepted. These new entrants paid either cash or applied for a loan from the University of Guyana’s Loan Agency. Those who applied for loans did not get approval because the loan agency was not advised of the new programmes offered, and thus was not authorized to give loans of G$250,000 per academic year. This was as a result of the non–approval status for these programmes by the Council, which was supposed to advise the agency if approval was given. The standard amount to be loaned out to students by the agency is G$127,000, and if there are no disbursements left, then there will be no loans to be granted to students. The Council approved tuition for these programmes at G$127,000 and the students who paid G$250,000, the difference of their payments would roll over to the next academic year, that is, 2011/2012.
So, Mr. Maxwell, I am sure you have made a grave mistake by falsely accusing, labeling and addressing the government inappropriately and unnecessarily because of your ignorance and bias. Don’t worry, Mr. Maxwell, they will probably magnanimously accept your apology!