TWENTY-SEVEN University of Guyana (UG) staff members received long-service awards at a ceremony at the Umana Yana, Kingston, Georgetown, last Friday evening.
Among them, for the first time, were those who served between 35 and 40 years. They included Professors Clive Thomas, Jocelyn Loncke, Alim Hosein and Public Relations Officer Paulette Paul, with 40, 35, 25 and 20 years, respectively.
In welcoming remarks to the gathering, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Dr. Paloma Mohamed thanked the awardees for their contributions to the institution, the country and, by extension, the world.
“Let nobody tell you that this institution is not worthy of a moment like this, because this  institution, that will be 50 years next year, is the institution that has built this country, both inside and outside of Guyana.
“Let no one tell you that what we are doing is not worthy of holding our heads up high, because there are people all around the world who are proud to say that they are from UG, from the Head of the U.S. Atomic Agency to a vice-president at Google, to many professors all over the world.
“If you stayed with UG for 40 years or even five, you (did not stay) with UG for anything other than the love of your students, love of your country, love of the institution or love of pain and torture. Because being at UG is not easy. (Yet) everyday, we manage to work even in the most trying circumstances. The whole world does not know what is happening in the background, other than seeing what we produce and what we produce is generally good,” she proclaimed.

Jubilant moments    
The ceremony themed ‘Jubilant Moments’ was chaired by UG Registrar Vincent Alexander and citations were read by Professor Al Creighton and Lecturer Bonita Hunter.
The awards were pesented by former Council Representative Indra Chandarpal and Acting Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Marlene Cox.
Mrs. Chandarpal, whom Mr. Alexander referred to as ‘a friend of the University’, said:“The event comes at a very significant period as we enter into the 50th anniversary of this institution. In these 50 years the University of Guyana has had its many ups and downs, but has served the nation well in producing thousands of graduates who work in several areas of national development.”
Hosein, who spoke on behalf of the awardees, said: despite the difficult times at the University, he is grateful that it is giving employees an annual reminder that there is something good about it.
He said he is happy, too, that “the fortitude, commitment, dedication, unquestioning and unwavering  commitment of members of the University who continue to work in good times and bad times to make the society what it is, is recognised by the University.”
The gathering was entertained through performances by the National School of Dance, Ossie Nedd, Accolades- an Indian dance interpretation by Dr. Seeta Shaw-Roath, Indira Itwaru with Orlando Primo on drums and the Circle of Love Quartet.