Registrar challenges private sector to invest at UG
– and graduands to be ‘agents of change’

By Navendra Seoraj
NEWLY-appointed Registrar of the University of Guyana (UG), Dr. Nigel Gravesande has challenged the private sector to invest more money in the university.

He made the call Saturday while delivering the feature address at the graduation ceremony for 317 more students who made it past the many hurdles to come out successful from the university’s Institute of Distance and Continuing Education (IDCE).

THE CHARGE
Held in the George Walcott Lecture Theatre, the event saw Dr. Gravesande not only challenge the private sector, but the graduands as well, whom he urged to be agents of change; to move forward, and not just be satisfied with obtaining a certificate from IDCE.
“You all have the potential…given that you are all mature, and have now attained your diploma,” Dr Gravesande said.
He also encouraged that they rise above the challenges and pressures, for the betterment of not only themselves but the country as well.

CLASS OF 2015
Punctuated by musical renditions from the talented Guyana Police Force Band, the graduation ceremony marked yet another year of achievement, not only for those graduating from the IDCE, but also for Guyana’s development.
Students obtained Diplomas in the areas of: Industrial Relations and Management; Early Childhood Development; Early Childhood Education; Supervisory Management; Marketing Management; Academic Upgrading; Mathematics, English Language, Principles of Business, Principles of Accounts and Office Administration; Proficiency in Mathematics and English Language; Introduction to Social Work; Care of the Elderly; and Sign Language.
As the evening progressed, prizes were presented to students who did exceptionally well at their studies; some were also awarded certificates of recognition. But the signature event of the evening was the valedictorian’s speech.

THE IDCE
Birthed in January, 1976, the IDCE which was then known as The University of Guyana’s Extra-Mural Department, sought to devise outreach programmes that specifically targeted the felt needs of the majority of the population.
In any given year, the Institute registers in excess of 600 students at the Georgetown centre alone. Over the years, some of them have pursued careers in law and business, and have even become lecturers at the institution.