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REPUBLIC Bank Limited, through its ‘Power to Make a Difference’ initiative, hosted a ceremony yesterday, to honour the recipients of the 2011 Republic Bank/University of Guyana (UG) awards. At the function, Ravina Devi Ramesar earned the Bank Chairman’s award for ‘Best Graduating Student’ with a Bachelor’s Degree in the Faculty of Social Sciences and Steve Singh was awarded as the Best Graduating Student with a Diploma in Banking and Finance.
It was at the Bank’s Promenade Court, New Market Street, Georgetown Head Office that they were presented with monetary rewards and plaques for their excellent academic performance.
Managing Director, Mr. John Alves, in opening remarks, said the occasion is significant for the bank, as it affords the opportunity to acknowledge the achievements and reward the top performers within the UG Faculty of Social Sciences.
“We believe that academic excellence is critical to our national development. Likewise, your successful completion of this period of academic study can be attributed to your dedication, discipline and drive, all critical skills on the path to future success,” he told the awardees.
Alves said their partnership with UG continues to support the social investment goals in complementary initiatives, such as the ongoing sponsorship of a student scholarship, subscription to business journals for the UG Library and career coaching which prepares final year students for the working world.
Congratulating Ramesar and Singh, he said the Bank recognised and rewarded the two top performers through its ‘Power to Make a Difference’ community outreach programme, as they have demonstrated the power of potential which holds a bright promise for Guyana’s continuing development.
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Lawrence Carrington acknowledged that UG is very proud of the two awardees, who were recognised as examples for others to emulate.
Noting that he is about to retire from UG, he disclosed that he will return to his homeland of Trinidad and Tobago but reminded of his motto in school ‘Everyone tries but not everyone gets the prize’.
Peculiar motto
He agreed it was a peculiar motto in many respects but said he became accustomed to it and it seemed to be a very appropriate exhortation to push oneself towards success, in full recognition of reality that life does not always make everybody a winner.
Carrington thanked Republic Bank for its consistency to society as a corporate citizen and for the enlightened support for tertiary education.
He added that he considers the Bank to be a genuine partner in the fulfillment of its function and values the relationship.
Carrington also commended Republic Bank for its continued focus on social sciences as an area for reward.
Ministry of Education School Boards Coordinator, Ms. Melcita Bovell, who represented Minister Priya Manickchand, expressed appreciation for the sterling contribution of Republic Bank to the development of Guyana’s valuable human resources.
Bovell observed that Republic Bank continues to lead the way in finding creative ways for capacity building and said the presentation of the awards signals, to all Guyanese, particularly young people, that commitment and hard work will bring the kind of results and recognition that can form the foothold on which the future is built.
Adding her congratulations to those honoured, she posited that it was their personal commitment that earned them places on the Honours Roll and has shown that their excellent performance is worthy of emulation.
Republic Bank initiated its Power to Make a Difference with UG several years ago, to ignite the potential of Guyana’s youth through varying rewards and developmental programmes and the focus remains on the impact of education on national development.
