By Lisa Hamilton
SOME 8,000 students of the University of Guyana will receive better services regarding the handling of their records with the commissioning of a new registry building on the Turkeyen Campus.

The $86 million facility, officially declared open Tuesday, will provide services to both students and staff.
The occasion was witnessed by UG Registrar Nigel Gravesande; Assistant Chief Education Officer (ACEO), Owen Pollard; Deputy Vice-Chancellor with responsibility for Academic Engagement, Professor Michael Scott; and Deputy Vice-Chancellor with responsibility for Philanthropy, Alumni and Civic Engagement (PACE), Paloma Mohamed-Martin.

Pollard, who spoke in the absence of Education Minister Nicolette Henry, said the new building speaks to the progress of the institution.
“It is a step in the right direction and we are certain that in the construction of this building, there will be many benefits on campus, both for the students and staff of the university.”

He also urged those who will occupy the landmark building and use it with care, so as to ensure its longevity in the interest of students to come.
Registrar Nigel Gravesande said the building was built to the tune of $69.2 million and when costs for furnishing and other electrical work are taken into account, the total expenditure to date, funded by the University of Guyana and the Government of Guyana, amounts to an overall total of $86.2 million.

This, the registrar said, would contribute to a better standard of student services at the registry which currently consists of 57 staff members.
President of UG Students’ Society, Norwell Hinds, congratulated the UG administration, noting that the new building will be of great help to the university community.
“The students of the University of Guyana take pride in contributing our ideas to shaping service delivery here at the registry and generally on the campus,” Hinds said, adding, “More than that, we bring our bank of talents, our resources and our intellectual investments to this community and to take the university forward.”

Hinds also noted that the building is symbolic of the university’s new attitude towards commitment in ensuring consistent growth on campus.
Immediate Past Registrar Vincent Alexander, said the previous building was unsuitable for accommodation of staff and the transformation was a welcomed one.
The Admissions Division of the registry was presented with several laptops by PACE’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor Paloma Mohamed-Martin, compliments of the education resource ambassadors of North America.

Likewise, a crystal plaque was presented from the registry to Pollard for the minister of education in recognition of the support received in construction of the new building and aid of the university in general.
The registry took the opportunity to reaffirm its mission to create a conducive environment for the teaching-learning process and to provide support to the students and departments.