IT is public knowledge that Guyana’s human capital is being depleted through migration at a percentage that’s greater than the birth rate. It was widely reported that more than 80 percent of university graduates leave Guyana. Among the principal push factors are high unemployment, under-employment and the comparative value of wages/salaries to cost of living and desired standard of living. The flight of human capital has serious implications for a country’s development. Even in the so-called technological age, the conceptualisation, development and application of technology cannot be without the inputs and support (financial and otherwise) of man, from production, to distribution, and the consumption phases. Economics Professor Clive Thomas’s column ‘Guyana and the wider world,’ 10th August 2014, in an article titled, “Guyana’s 2012 Population Census: Runaway brain drain rules!” had this to say: “As a rule, one observes worldwide that high levels of emigration result in two major manifestations. One is that proportionately, this emigration is weightiest among those strata of the population with technical skills, expertise and training, and who are otherwise experienced. The second manifestation is that those countries with small populations [like Guyana] have high ratios of emigrants living abroad [the diaspora] to their resident population.”
Given the realities above, when it was learnt that the recently appointed Principal and Vice-Chancellor (VC) of the University of Guyana (UG) Professor Ivelaw Griffith- a Guyanese who has served and distinguished himself in high-profile positions in United States’ universities-moved to confront prevailing challenges at this institution, it was most welcomed. In a detailed address to stakeholders on 22nd May, the VC outlined what he considered to be the challenges facing UG, which he described as a “crisis” situation and what he proposed the solutions to be, which he is evidently moving to implement.
The university has moved to adopt the theme “Renaissance of the University of Guyana.” Renaissance speaks to “revival” or “rebirth.” Those who recall the heyday of the institution admitted it not only produced students and employed educators who distinguished themselves, locally and abroad, but its intellectual pool also played a role in shaping and influencing the national discourse, including politics, national policies and programmes. Among the things the VC pointed out is the institution’s resource challenge, which he says revolves around two resources: financial and human capital resource. And part of what has accentuated the human-capital challenge, he said, is insufficient money to replace employees who have left, and insufficient money to pay those who are here, which leads to those people eventually leaving. To some extent, the crisis in funding will contribute to the crisis of retaining qualified skills and talents.
And it is safe to say out of this recognition and the aim to alleviate same would have informed UG’s Education Resources Ambassadors Conference of 23rd June-25th June. Held under the theme “Dreaming Resources, Doing Resources,” this conference saw the convergence of educators in the Diaspora and home, deliberating on the state of education in Guyana and what role (s) they can play to improve its quality. That the Diaspora has expressed and proven its commitment to seeing Guyana’s premier tertiary institution re-assert and re-assume its role in society, not only in churning out highly trained and competent human capital, but also hopefully a cadre of intellectuals who will commit to seeing the improvement of Guyana and vying for leading office, be it elected or appointed, ought not to be lost sight of. Education makes a nation. With persons leaving the comfort of their adopted homes, or taking time away from work, family or vacation to lend support to a worthy venture in the land of their birth is cementing and formalising synergies in education that can only redound to the nation’s benefit. Reportedly, 45 high-level participants came from Barbados, Canada, Grenada, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and the United States of America with backgrounds in education, medicine, media, and industry. They were joined by around 60 local participants in what has been described as a ground-breaking event, which saw a groundswell of appreciation for the challenges that UG faces in the production of quality graduates to support the nation’s development.
According to the UG Newsletter, contributions from the diaspora came in the form of cash, scholarships and pledges, which tallied at over US$70,000 dollars or G$14.5M. Guyana has to move forward. There is no other option, and every support given to Guyana by Guyanese, at home or in the diaspora, is aiding in that step forward. To this end, the conference was a very encouraging developmental effort, not only for tertiary education in Guyana, but for the nation’s overall development, and as we are wont to say it cast shadow of greater things to come. Congratulations to the intellectual authors, organisers, participants and contributors!