–following devastating fire that hit Cummings Lodge apartment building
UNIVERSITY of Guyana (UG) students who were displaced by a fire which gutted an apartment building at Cummings Lodge on January 13, received cash and moral support from the university on Wednesday.More than 50 students of UG, the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) and the Rajiv Gandhi Medical School were affected by the blaze.
Only 11 of the UG students were located by the university administration, but only six were present at a simple presentation ceremony in the Vice-Chancellor’s office.
They each received $100,000.
UG Registrar, Professor Nigel Gravesande, said the impact of the fire has encouraged the university to consider establishing stronger support programmes for students and staff.
Next week, the registrar will meet with the Student Welfare Division to ensure the students affected by the fire “settle down and continue their studies.”
He also noted the need for UG and other stakeholders to consider building more dormitories on campus.
“We have to, as a university, develop a protocol to treat with approved housing for students on this campus. This incident has pointed now to an opportunity for a glorious resurrection of having partners to partner with the university in providing expanded accommodation,” Professor Gravesande said.
Meanwhile, Vice-Chancellor, Dr Ivelaw Lloyd Griffith, said a Student Welfare Fund will be established to provide stronger financial support for students and staff in crises.
“Any university which is primarily there to serve the students that had an episode, whether on campus or off campus as the episode a few weeks ago involving fire, has an obligation to find a way to help the students,” Dr Griffith said.
Students Welfare Assistant Registrar Daniella King, said it was a challenge finding out who were the UG students affected by the fire, but her department nonetheless was able to locate 11 of them.
And this was made possible through help from the Guyana Fire Service and the landlord of the building.
She commended the efforts of the university administration for providing much-needed support for the affected students, and announced that counselling services are also available to them.
“We know that some of what you would have lost would have been more than material… but in whatever material way we can assist, the administration has certainly done an excellent job in deciding to come to your assistance. You may find yourself in the medium to long term, having difficulties coping with this,” she said.
The university is grateful for the outpouring of support for the students from Government, the private sector and other individuals, King said.
The students who received financial assistance were Raphael Fraser, Navindra Manohar, Trovana Azeez, Jewel LeFleur, Usham Changa and Yoinca Rowland.
