“GRADUATIONS are events for celebration, the recognition of dreams fulfilled and hopes renewed. Graduations are milestones of achievement and markers of growth, not just in the lives of the individual graduates, but of the institutions through which they graduate,” said Minister of Education, Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine.Dr. Roopnaraine was at the time addressing the 3rd batch of Master of Business Administration (MBA) students to graduate from Nations University.

More than 70 persons representing a wide cross section of the Guyanese business community, including senior personnel from government ministries, GuySuCo, Barama, Guyana Elections Commission, CARICOM, and the Guyana Revenue Authority.

Sole entrepreneurs and representatives of a range of private agencies also pursued studies and have successfully graduated on Saturday, June 20, 2015 at the Pegasus Hotel.

Dr. Roopnaraine, in his remarks, pointed to a World Bank report which stated that Guyana has the highest rate of migration of tertiary or university graduates in the world, adding that “like other countries in the Caribbean, we are at the bottom of the hemispherical pile in terms of the number of citizens between the ages of 18 and 30 who are enrolled in higher education.”

The minister said there is no area of our economic and social development in which a functioning, innovative education system is not simply just necessary but absolutely critical.
“Our national development is underpinned by our education system. Our cohesiveness as a society is underpinned by our education system. Our ability to truly become ‘One People, One Nation, One Destiny’ is underpinned by our education system.”

Policy decisions would have to be taken to facilitate the transformation of the education sector and improve facilities for both teachers and students. The minister said he has taken office for about one month and he is still in the process of both reviewing existing systems to get a sense of a credible baseline from which to launch our policy, as well as incorporating the functions formerly executed under the aegis of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport.

On that note he used the opportunity to state his ambition for the sector, which is that students have a more rounded educational experience that includes better counselling and extra-curricular programmes in schools; better monitoring and evaluation of programmes to ensure that they achieve their objectives; and the introduction of civics perhaps as part of the formal education curriculum.

This, however, calls for a more systematic approach. The Minister said that in the current global environment, there must be a transition from ‘ad hoc programmes’ to a ‘policy environment’ that systematically links public sector initiatives to private sector programmes and international accreditation.

The minister challenged the graduates to see beyond the obligations to their places of employment and commit to continue working towards building this country together.

He said, “work with us so this nation can grow and benefit you as well. Whether you’re in the public sector or the private sector, you function within the same particular ecosystem.”

“I can think of few things more illustrative of exemplary character than using your education for the greater good of your community and country. And, from the perspective of a society, of this country, every graduation ceremony is a sign that we are strengthening our people for the many challenges and the opportunities that the future will be sure to present us, that we are gathering momentum to leap ahead and leave the menace of catastrophe far behind us.”
Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine posited.

The minister assured the University that the Ministry of Education considers the School a strong partner in the delivery of education in this country. The 3rd Annual Graduation Ceremony of the MBA programme is offered by Australian Institute of Business in collaboration with Nations University, Guyana.