THE University of Guyana (UG) has added another talent to its pool of academics. Professor Ivelaw Griffith is the newly appointed Principal and Vice Chancellor. Not only is he a born and bred Guyanese who acquired his formative education here, but he is also an academic of international repute. In addition to serving as Vice President of the York College of the City University of New York (CUNY), USA, and President of Fort Valley State University in Georgia, USA among other portfolios, Griffith brings expertise needed to advance tertiary education here.Griffith’s online biography highlights, among other things, that “his notable achievements [at CUNY] include growing the full time faculty by 30 percent over four years; reorganising the academic division into three Schools, and enhancing the research and scholarly climate by creating a Provost Lecture Series and a companion Distinguished Scholars Lecture Series; recognising and rewarding research and scholarship, and establishing an Undergraduate Student Research Programme.”

It is no secret that UG has, for some time, been going through difficult times. In addition to dilapidated infrastructure — non-functional laboratories, overcrowded classrooms, academic team working under conditions considered less than favourable, students demanding improved environment and better treatment of their educators — partisan politics carried heavy sway. Several who understand the working of a university have complained about the intervention of politicians in determining policies, resources allocated and treatment of the staff, academic and non-academic.

There have been protests by staff and students, demanding better for the campus and treatment of them. One of the concerns of the academic staff was the treatment meted out to them by former Principal and Vice Chancellor Professor Jacob Opadeyi, whose contract they demanded not be renewed. Recently the student population staged protest actions calling on the Government to honour its campaign commitment regarding the state of the university.

Griffith’s appointment adds intellectual heft to Chancellor Professor Nigel Harris and Registrar Dr. Nigel Gravesande, two distinguished Guyanese who also have brought to the university international expertise. There is optimism the trio will bring needed fillip to energise an institution which, for some time, has been pleading for attention. A university provides needed education to help meet the demands of a society interested in development and taking its rightful place in a complex and competitive world. It is this education that would contribute to the development of fertile minds, and shape and energise new thinking in influencing various facets in society. As the world changes, Guyana needs to adapt to, and confront, the new challenges. This can be realised only in an environment where academia is being given an opportunity to blossom.

This nation has, over the years, experienced subtle, not so subtle, and open frontal attacks on academic freedoms within the confines of UG. And while Professor Griffith, an outstanding Guyanese, has consented to collaborate with his colleagues in leading the university at a critical moment, the success of this institution under his leadership can be realised only through the removal of political grandstanding.

The Vice Chancellor should be given free rein and the requisite resources that would allow the institution to emerge from its present state to that of achieving excellence, both on the local and external fronts. University of Guyana has not only been challenged for the want of leadership. Day-to-day interference by political forces has stymied its functioning. Its budgetary and administrative activities are too often being defined and controlled by persons who are not responsible for the day-to-day management of the institution.

The challenge before Professor Griffith will be to develop a formidable team that no longer will look outside of the university for answers in regard to what needs to be done each day. It is a team that should be allowed free rein to conceptualise and define its plans and programmes consistent with the values that inform academic institutions.

This should be compounded by the reduction, if possible elimination, of decisions and interpretations given by political operatives. As Professor Griffith is welcomed, the staff and student populations are urged to use his presence as a new beginning and take advantage of his experiences in refocusing the university to play its role in development, local and international.