NEWLY appointed President of the University of Guyana Students Society (UGSS), Mr. Ganesh Mahipaul, has said that what sets him apart from past presidents is the fact that he comes with a wealth of experience from his involvement in both the Sherod Duncan and Collin Constantine administrations. In an interview with the Guyana Chronicle yesterday, Mahipaul, leader of the Student Factor Party, who took the Oath of Office on Tuesday, October 30, 2012, noted that while he was duly appointed as the president, due to the no contest elections, he’s receiving full support from the student population.

“From what I’ve been gathering from the student population, they would have favoured my candidacy. I’m getting their support right now; and since my installation to date, no one would have signalled any sort of dissatisfaction with me as their president. But, if they do, they have a right to move to referendum,” he said.

Mahipaul noted that while the Constitution of the UGSS is about promoting social and cultural life on campus, and representing the students within their best interests, there is an inherited custom upon which a structure is built to ‘leave a mark.’

“I plan to build a debate square, as well as make the bridge which leads us to Sophia into a concrete structure. I know I would need permission from the Mayor and City Council, and I hope I do get it,” he informed.

According to him, the debate square would be beneficial in not only developing persons’ debating skills, but the lecturers can use it to teach various courses and techniques in debating.

“It becomes a beneficial something for the student society because you can hold debate competitions; it becomes a beneficial something for the university and the students as a whole,” he stated.

Mahipaul added that a contractor has already been providing him with estimates for building both the debate square and the bridge. “I (have) already received an estimate for the debate square, but the price was too exorbitant; so I would have asked another contractor to look at it, and when that contractor is finished, then is when I’m going to make a final decision,” he informed.

Mahipaul said he expects assistance for his projects not only from the Government of Guyana, but also from the opposition and all stakeholders. He would gladly meet with them, lay out his plan, and see how best they can help.

In addition to these two structures that he plans to build, Mahipaul also has a number of social and cultural activities planned.
According to him, one of these activities is a 10/10 softball competition.

“You need to get these students more socially cohesive so that you can get to build on them, because you have people who come from different societies, different moral values, different areas, different cultural values, and you have to get them together; so you need activities that can bond them so that they can understand each other and see themselves as unified,” he explained.

Among the other activities planned are a graduation ball, slated for Saturday night at Club Liquid Vibes; a Bob Marley Day (a special day designated to celebrate Bob Marley); a car and bike show; and he also hopes to resuscitate the University of Guyana Pageant.

He noted that he has already sought permission from the university to hold these various activities.

Meanwhile, Mahipaul noted that one of the intentions of the UGSS is to ensure that students are not victimised. “Although we’re fulfilling our mandate, we’re ensuring we stand up for students’ rights too, which is very important; and for all students on the campus, we’re going to stand by their side, because we’re students together and we must stay together.

“We also recognise that with students’ rights, there are students’ responsibilities too,” he related.

He added that representing students has been his platform for the longest while, because he was victimized once, and doesn’t want students to go through what he’s gone through. “My biggest focus on being a part of UGSS as an individual is to ensure that the issues that I’m facing as a student — and to ensure that the issues that my other students are facing — will not be faced by their children and grandchildren,” Mahipaul explained.

Mahipaul noted that his intention is not to venture into any mass protest, unless all options have been exhausted. “If I were to exhaust all the options before me and nothing happens that will enhance this campus; make it more academically friendly; make it more student friendly; make it more workers’ friendly; if I exhaust those options that can help in making this campus friendly, then is when I see protest action should come in,” he expressed.

He added that with compromise, proper understanding, and good judgement, the University of Guyana can be what all want it to be.

Mahipaul has a strong message for those persons who are against his administration: “I would like to say to them that all negative bricks that are thrown at me I will take, and I will lay a strong foundation so that I can build a better university for all.”