THE newly elected University of Guyana Students Society (UGSS) body was installed on Friday at the University (UG), Turkeyen. 

Joshua Griffith of the Students’ Empowerment Alliance was elected president of the student body.
According to UG’s Registrar, Mr. Vincent Alexander, statistics have shown that this year, they had a far greater turnout for the election by the student population than in previous years.
He also stated that the road ahead for this group of students won’t be easy, but with hard work and determination they will carry out their tasks properly and in the right way.
Mr. Alexander noted that the student body will have full support from UG officials, and they will be properly represented.
He added that the body lasts only for a semester, after which there will have to be another election to select a new body and president,
This is due to the weak constitution which UGSS has, and he hopes the cry for a better constitution doesn’t fall on deaf ears.
Following Mr. Alexander’s address, the president and the members of his party were sworn in.
The inauguration ceremony was witnessed by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Planning and Development) Dr. Elizabeth Ramlall and the Chancellor. Other officials and students of UG were also present for the installation ceremony.

Dr. Ramlall congratulated the new members and noted that in conducting the affairs of the society, they will have to always keep in mind their main aim and always work towards achieving these aims.
She also noted that they must conduct their affairs with the highest integrity at all times.
Dr. Ramlall told members of the council that UG officials will always welcome any inputs, opinions and views on the management of students’ welfare. She also urged them to ensure that they continue to strive for academic excellence, despite the difficulties they may face.
The newly elected president, Joshua Griffith, in his address to the gathering stated that he follows the old saying of the Scout Movement: “We must leave a place better than we met it.”
He noted that although a lot has been done by previous councils, there is still a lot more to be done. He added that he encourages students to speak out, because they are the main stakeholders of UG and they must not be afraid to share their views.

He added that some of the main aims of his body will be to better represent the students of UG and push for constitutional reform.
He said there has been a call for constitutional reform of the UGSS and they will be working assiduously towards that goal.
Griffith stated that in order to build a better UG, the students’ help will be needed. He therefore asked for students’ cooperation so that together, they could make UG a better place.