Scores of young people yesterday turned out to the University of Guyana’s (UG’s) Open/Career Day, which was held on the university’s Turkeyen campus, under the theme ‘Our world, your world: get connected.’

Over 40 private and public sector organisations partnered with the University to showcase career opportunities and requirements for employment within their respective entities, as well as available areas of study and prerequisites for admission to the university.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, where students filled the seats of the George Walcott Lecture Theatre , Vice Chancellor Professor Jacob Opadeyi said that the youths are there so that they can plan their lives, and not allow others to do it for them.
He challenged them to make sure that they gain admission to another university if they don’t secure a place at UG, as a tertiary education is very important.
He told them that once they secure a tertiary education, they will never have to worry about facing financial problems throughout the remainder of their lives.
Professor Opadeyi noted that the education provided at UG is not only for Guyanese, as the university provides international education, and once one has a degree from UG, one then can go anywhere in the world and get a job.
He related that the students are there to be exposed to the opportunities the university affords them, and urged them to inform UG officials if there is anything that they are interested in and that the university does not offer.
According to him, as long as they perform well at their exams and secure good grades, they will have their future in their hands, and when they come to UG they will be saluted.
He urged the young people to make sure they secure passes in Mathematics and English Language, because no matter how many subjects they score good grades in, they will not be employable if they do not have these two.
Also addressing the youths at the opening ceremony, President of the University of Guyana Students Society, Ganesh Mahipaul, encouraged them to be the change they wish to see in the world.
He extended appreciation to all those present for being there, and thanked all those persons who made the activity possible.
“The university community wishes to express heartfelt appreciation to all 58 plus participants who are continuously showing their care for education in this nation,” he said.
Mahipaul said that it is their hope that the young people at the exercise will also participate in the student society’s initiative ‘adopt a classroom today’, as they intend to make education more comfortable for all of their children and grandchildren.
Addressing representatives from various educational institutions present, he urged them to enjoy the activity, and to “be entertained, and moreso, be educated.”
Certificates were distributed to those public and private sector organisations which participated in the activity, and there were also cultural performances by UG students.
Students at the event expressed positive reviews, noting that the activity helps to guide them on the right path to the career of their choice.
Participating organisations included Air services Limited, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), Ministry of Health, Stand Up for Respect, Greatness and Empowerment (SURGE), National Communications Network (NCN) and the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company Limited (GT&T)
The various faculties of UG participated in the event such as the faculties of social sciences, as well as the institution’s Library, Registry, and the Berbice campus.