PRESIDENT Donald Ramotar joined a large contingent for an early morning talk from Queen’s College to the University of Guyana, as activities to mark the tertiary institution’s 50th anniversary continue.

From its starting point, the march proceeded east along Carifesta Avenue onto the Rupert Craig Highway and south onto the University of Guyana, Turkeyen Campus accompanied by music from the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) marching band.
Among the participants were First Lady Deolatchmee Ramotar, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, Mexican Ambassador Francisco Olguin, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport Alfred King and members of the Guyana Police Force (GPF).
Attorney-at-Law and Alliance for Change (AFC) Chairman, Nigel Hughes also joined the walk, and spent a few moments interacting with the Head of State.
There was a large representation from Government ministries and private organisations
The walk was symbolic of the road the country’s prized tertiary institution has taken, from humble beginnings as the Cheddi Jagan Night School at Queen’s College to an institution that has produced Guyanese of world renowned status.
President Ramotar, who graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics, was commended for participating in the walk, and being regarded among the country’s high achievers who attended the institution
Much of the University’s historical achievements were reviewed by those who delivered brief remarks at a simple ceremony at the campus following the walk. Among them were Former Ambassador Rudy Insanally, Prime Minister Hinds, UG’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Jacob Opadeyi, and Director of the Centre for Communication Studies, Dr. Paloma Mohamed.
Ambassador Insanally, who was once a lecturer at the institution, recalled the way in which classes were conducted back then.
He commended the late President Jagan for the vision to establish an institution of higher learning in Guyana, and the University itself for reaching a Golden Jubilee.
The former diplomat also used the occasion to address some of the challenges currently plaguing the University, and suggested ways in which they can be overcome. Chief among those challenges at reference is financing, which he said, is not specific to Guyana alone.
“Unfortunately, Governments of developing countries, with much call on their limited budgets, are hard put to fund their universities as they should. We therefore have to think a little bit out of the box, as they say, to be able to reach our goals,” Dr Insanally said.
He also shared President Ramotar’s recent sentiment that politics has been an impediment to UG’s accomplishments.
For Prime Minister Hinds, occasions such as the one at hand are reminiscent of the era when the struggle for independence was the main priority, and the trade union movement was most active.
As UG plots the way forward, Prime Minister Hinds highlighted the importance of the institution building partnerships. (GINA)
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DSC 0462: President Donal Ramotar and his spouse, First Lady, Mrs. Deolatchmee Ramotar take a well-earned respite, having made it to their destination in one piece ( Photo by Cullen Bess-Nelson)