A YOUNG Guyanese, Eden Corbin, has been elected as the Chairperson of the International Affairs Committee (IAC) for the Guild Council at the University of the West Indies (UWI) St. Augustine Campus. The lad received 1,469 votes from the student population at the 2017/2018 Guild elections held on March 9, edging past his only opponent and yet another Guyanese studying at the University – Kena Melville, who obtained 981 votes.
Corbin is a first year law student at the Trinidad University and will be sworn in officially as Chairperson of the IAC on April 1, while his tenure in this position will last from September of this year to May 2018.
The Chairperson of the IAC has the herculean task of dealing with the representation of all international matters relating to the students’ guild and is responsible for the Island Associations and representing all regional and international students attending the university.
As a matter of national pride for those in Guyana, Corbin’s victory marks the first time any Guyanese would have ascended to that position.
Eden recounted that while campaigning rigorously before the elections, he dedicated much of his time and always placed his best foot forward at the fora he spoke at.
However, he shared some of his ideals with the Guyana Chronicle. He highlighted that he intends on creating an environment where the notion of regional Integration could be a realized goal and he intends on engaging the students on regional matters – such as the functions of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), free trade and on foreign and immigration policies.
He also expressed, “I intend to promote regionalism over nationalism because we can do so much more if we were to truly unite all of the CARICOM countries and operate as one.”
Also, despite thwarting Melville, Corbin intends on involving her and perhaps some of her ideals in the committee.
Corbin conceded, “I know I wouldn’t be able to achieve this in my tenure as the International Affairs Committee Chairperson but I know I can get the ball rolling.”
The young man, who was a student of Queen’s College and later Bishop’s High School, is a passionate youth activist. At UWI, he is also the President of ‘Uwe Speak’, a student activist group which creates a safe space for students to express themselves about social matters.
All students who are enrolled into the institution automatically become a part of what is known as the ‘Guild of Students’. The Guild Council, an elected Committee of 24 members, represents the interests and welfare of the student population, helps student to transition into campus life, encourages integration among students and bridges the gap between students and the administration of the university. Not only does this council represent the student body, but also is actively involved in the decision making of the University.