THE University of Guyana (UG) is all set to reopen for its second semester on January 28, according to Registrar Vincent Alexander. He said that some issues the university had been experiencing in the first semester have been straightened out and everything is in place for a timely beginning of classes for this coming semester.
The 2012/2013 academic year began with a late start since the university had to postpone its opening from August 27 to September 10, 2012.
A press release from the institution at that time had stated the late start was due to industrial actions undertaken by both students and staff members during the 2011/2012 academic year; and because of the late release of the Caribbean Secondary Education Examination (CSEC) results.
Despite the late opening, classes were executed as per normal and examinations were concluded as originally scheduled.
However, Alexander noted that some examinations were held between semesters and as a result grades are not available to students as yet.
He highlighted that there is a due process which the grades have to go through before they are released, and noted specifically that there has to be a meeting of faculties to approve grades before they are made official.
In addition, the registrar related that while there were some issues with the equipment used to generate student identification cards last semester, this did not in any way hinder students sitting their final exams.
He said that mechanisms were put in place to deal with the problem, even though the process has been a little slower; and the university has been outsourcing student ID cards.
He further revealed that a new machine to produce the ID’s has already been ordered and paid for, but it has been “held up” pending some duty free arrangements.
This, he added, is an issue which does not rest with the university, but rather the Ministry of Education and the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA).
Meanwhile, President of the University of Guyana Students’ Society (UGSS), Ganesh Mahipaul, pointed out that it is customary that the university will reopen without students receiving their grades.
He said that, as it relates to UG reopening, his definition of the term “ready” would be that students are aware of their grades and are comfortable knowing if they did well, or just how much harder they have to work in this semester.
However, Mahipaul added that the untimely delivery of students’ grades is not really an administration problem, but rather an issue with lecturers. He said that sometimes lecturers would take a long time to review and grade exam papers.
Nevertheless, he emphasized that students are anxious and ready for the second semester, but that it is now up to the administration to reassure them that all will be ready for them, especially as it relates to courses commencing on time.
He noted that the late start of some courses has been a problem at the university for a while now, for various reasons, but mainly because of the availability of lecturers for certain courses.
Mahipaul highlighted that some first semester courses have not started as yet; and as a result, students will now have to carry an extra burden doing a first semester course in addition to their second semester courses.
He said, though, given all the constraints, the university faces, such as functioning on limited resources, it is doing a fantastic job.