Dear Editor,
WE read a Letter to the Editor two Sundays ago by Mr Wesley Kirton, and from the perspective of younger persons, we completely agree. In a letter to the editor in February, I commented on the negative spins that were being placed on the talks, cocktails and other activities that were being curated by the University. There are new programmes, new buildings. We’ve seen young professionals who are now lecturing at the university; this means fresh young blood bringing new perspectives to the curriculums.

Unfortunately, as Mr Kirton said, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Ivelaw Griffith has to “lobby, or have people lobby on his behalf for his contract to be renewed.” This is not the stage in the development of the university to want to see a change in the leadership. As young Guyanese, we have observed that at the national level, a change of leadership has always caused the country to take a few steps backwards for want of continuity. No one wants the other person’s projects to go forward; everyone wants their own legacy to take priority over something that has already been started. And it is our hope that the VC will be given the chance to continue his renaissance project.

The university’s bathroom situation is an old one; the lack of toilet paper is an old one that needs to be fixed. What we are sure of is that the VC did not instruct that no toilet paper be available in the bathrooms. The energy being used to push for the VC’s contract to not be renewed should be used to work in solidarity for the growth and development of the University. If the intentions are truly for a better University of Guyana, then egos should be put aside, and a single head should be followed. Like Mr Kirton said, have discussions with the VC; be open-minded; understand the fire for Guyana that the “comebackees” have. Think for a second of the conveniences that they may have given up, or the conveniences that they have made. This should be some signal to you of the dedication they have to Guyana.

As students of the University of Guyana, we stand for positivity; we stand for growth and development of our nation. We see clearly what the new Guyana can look like, and for this we stand behind our Vice- Chancellor. If his job package comes with a chauffeur; let him have it! If he wears a suit, and therefore needs the car to cool, then so be it (Anyone would if it were available to them)! Let’s stop the frivolous nonsense and focus on building our University together!

Regards,
Yonnick David