AS the University of Guyana conferred diplomas and degrees on its largest batch to graduate thus far at the recent 57th convocation, several graduands are the first in their families to acquire a university education.

Among the 3,000 persons who graduated over the weekend, is Delon Northe of New Amsterdam who graduated with a Diploma in Public Management and is the first in his family to acquire a university education.|

He said: “I am overwhelmed with gratitude, I am now able to further develop myself and better serve my country.”
He highlighted that his academic journey was not always a smooth ride as he faced many challenges along the way.
“I faced many challenging times, but I endured. This is quite an accomplishment and I am grateful for all the support I received from my family, friends, lecturers and many others who have contributed to my success,” Northe said.

He related that he is passionate about continuing his studies and is currently in his third year at the university pursuing a Bachelor of Social Science degree in Public Management.
Another first-generation graduate, Keyola McQueen, attained a Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science and aspires to become a pathologist.
She was part of the batch of students who began studies just one year prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, and noted the challenge of seeing her class size minimise as some could not handle the pressures of the pandemic, regular life and university all at once.

She added too that the loss of her grandmother due to a rare form a cancer a few years ago was tough to deal with, but this helped in the decision to go after a career in pathology.
“Now that I have my degree, I can explore all the options before me to further develop myself,” McQueen said.
Meanwhile, 21-year-old Abdul Subhan who hails from Bushlot, West Coast Berbice, graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, and noted that he will use the knowledge acquired and the new qualification to make a positive difference in his family and community.

“Being the first in my family to graduate from the University of Guyana is a wonderful accomplishment. I was given the opportunity that my parents didn’t get and I am very grateful. It’s an honour to set a standard for future generations in my family, and I hope to inspire them to pursue their educational goals and strive for success,” he said.
While he is thankful to his family and friends, Subhan said that he is grateful to the University of Guyana as the institution has not only provided him with a strong academic foundation but has also instilled in him qualities like resilience, adaptability and a commitment to lifelong learning.
Meanwhile, 36-year-old, Trevor Thomas who hails from Kamarang, Upper Mazaruni in Region Seven, and was conferred with his Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy, shared how he is now able to elevate himself professionally and pursue more of his goals.

Thomas said that he always wanted to excel in his academic endeavours, noting that it is only by acquiring a good education he will be able to achieve his career dreams.
Thomas, a proud father of two, started his academic journey at UG in 2018. He explained that the road to academic success was not always easy, but with the support of many persons, including his family, friends and lecturers, he was able to successfully complete his studies in spite of all the odds he faced.
He is currently doing a pharmacy internship at the Georgetown Public Hospital and is expected to be granted his license to practice upon completion.
“Becoming qualified in this field is what I’ve always wanted, I am now better able to work and develop myself,” Thomas said.
Another first-generation graduate, Miles J. Munroe noted that his academic journey at the university taught him to persevere in spite of facing severe obstacles.
The 25-year-old graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management and noted that he intends to continue furthering his studies so that he will be the best he can be in his professional career.

He said, “As I entered my last year, I became a father, which was a joyous experience and it really increased my drive to succeed. I had planned to take a year off, but my young child gave me the motivation and fortitude to finish my journey in order to make her proud.”
Meanwhile, 28-year-old mother of one, Nickeshia Sampson who graduated with a Bachelor of Social Science degree in Public Management said that her biggest motivation was he desire to qualify herself and excel in her career.

“My experience at the University has shaped the way I communicate with those at different academic and professional levels. Additionally, I can now sit in a room filled with persons of all walks of life and know that I deserve to be there and have an opinion. My degree enhanced my self-confidence academically,” she said.
She added: “As a student, I battled with self-confidence in the beginning, when I wrote an essay or term paper I was scared that it wouldn’t be enough. Now I have the confidence that I can be anything I want to be. I will use the exposure at UG and try my best to make a positive difference in my workplace and my country as a whole.”