WITH the financial, academic and social well-being of students being the first priority at the University of Guyana, newly- elected Vice-Chancellor Dr. Paloma Mohamed, during a recent Zoom interview spoke of her concerns about those students who are worried about being able to afford furthering their studies, given the economic constraints occasioned by the current COVID-19 pandemic.

Conveying that the University of Guyana has systems in place to assist with the foregoing issue, Dr. Mohamed said, “Those students who are thinking about attending the University, especially those who are out of town who think they can’t afford to come to the University because they don’t know where they’ll find money, the loan agency can provide support for you. And we also have limited amounts of scholarships that are available to students as well.”

The Vice-Chancellor further said that due to the global pandemic, the university has removed all fees that were attached to late applications, reduced summer rates by 30 per cent, and relaxed the due dates for payment of fees, with the aim of providing support for current and prospective students.

In May of this year, University students from both the Turkeyen and Tain campuses were earmarked to receive assistance through care packages that were expected to be distributed through a special committee that was established within the University’s student society (UGSS), with the intend of assisting students who are having trouble accessing the Internet for academic purposes along with other financial difficulties.

‘UG Cares’ is also another branch of the University that is providing care packages and psychological support for students, alumni, staff and pensioners.

Registration for the new academic year 2020/2021 is expected to commence on August 31, whereas the University is expected to recommence classes for the upcoming academic year on October 5, with 75 per cent of the university’s courses being conducted Online, and the remaining 25 per cent being executed through blended modes of presentations to facilitate students with courses that include practical assessments.