THIRTY-six students graduated from the Kuru Kuru Co-operative College recently, having successfully completed training in various disciplines. They are today equipped to enter the world of work, or pursue tertiary level education.

The graduating students were accredited as follows:

• Diploma in Secondary Education (7 graduates)
• Diploma in Digital Photography (5 graduates)
• Certificate in Leadership Development Skills (11)
• Co-operative Board of Directors Training (5 graduates)
Valedictorian (best graduating student) was Emmanuel Forrester, who topped the Diploma in Secondary Education class with four Distinctions; two Grade Ones; two Grade Twos and one Grade Three (9 subjects).
Runner-up was Alford Callender, with two Distinctions; three Grade Ones; three Grade Twos and one Grade Three (9 subjects).
Additionally, Forrester was adjudged Best Graduating Student in Office Administration and in English ‘A’, and he also shared joint awards as best graduating student in Agriculture Science (double award) with Alford Callender. He passed that subject with distinction.
Moreover, Forrester shared joint ownership of the ‘Laura George Award’ for the best graduating student in EDPM with Alford Callender and Merissa Prescott. He shared joint award for best graduating student in Integrated Science with Alford Callender, who, like him, obtained a Grade One pass. He also shared joint award for best graduating student in Human & Social Biology (pass with distinction).
Chairman of the Board of Governors, Mr. John Seeram, in congratulating the graduands, asserted: “This is your moment of glory. It is the culmination of a period of time – months and years of dedication, determination, challenges and hard work, during which time you stuck to your tasks in the face of numerous challenges.”
Albeit, he reminded the graduands that they are now at a crucial stage of their career, although some distance from their desired goals. “Therefore, I caution you graduates that your achievements should be taken in the spirit of modesty and simplicity,” he cautioned.
He further admonished the graduates to be ever mindful of the support they got from others. “You should always remember all those individuals who have contributed to your causes, including your tutors/lecturers, parents, guardians, relatives, friends and associates. While some aided you by way of imparting knowledge and skills, others would have provided financial, material, moral and other support in order to help create a conducive learning and teaching environment for you.”
After outlining the options at their disposal should they wish to pursue higher education or enter the world of work, he reminded them: “You should not overlook seeking employment with co-operatives, for example credit unions, fishing and consumer cooperatives, only to mention a few. However, even if you accept job opportunities now, I urge you to pursue higher education in the long run.”
Some of the options he highlighted were: The University of Guyana in the areas of Agriculture; Management; Accounting and Economics at the diploma and degree levels.
Administrator of the Kuru Kuru Co-operative College, Ms. Myrtle Richards, joined in congratulating the graduands. She asserted: “You have graduated from Kuru Kuru Co-operative College. You are yet to prove yourselves as worthy ambassadors of the school of knowledge. You have started on this trail, and how well you do on it is dependent upon you. You have to be good listeners. You have to excel in all that you do. You have to keep dreaming and aiming for the stars.”
Ms. Richards, however, forewarned them that, along the path to success, there might be pitfalls; but she said that they need to be ever mindful that “the race is not for the swift, but for him who endures to the end.”
Watchwords she left with them were: Cooperation, teamwork, faith and persistence.
And on a very emotional note, the administrator announced that, as of the beginning of the new year (2014), she would be proceeding into retirement. “It gives me great pleasure to retire on this pleasant note in February 2014, knowing that I have set up the institution to hold its own in Guyana for many years to come,” she said.
She took the opportunity to thank God for directing her throughout the period she had spent with the College. She also thanked:
• The Chairman and Board of Governors, for guidance and direction;
• All the lecturers and staff of the College, for giving of their best to the institution, and for working as a team with her and the institution
• All parents/guardians for the opportunity to be of service to them through the College, and for the confidence they had placed in the institution.
• All students – present and past — for giving her the opportunity to be of service to them; and
• All those who, in whatever way, assisted the College or the administrator through the years
“A hearty ‘Thank You’ to all of you, individually and collectively,” Ms Richards affirmed.
Written By Shirley Thomas