PRESIDENT Dr. Irfaan Ali’s address to the University of Guyana’s newest graduates carries a message that extends far beyond the ceremony halls of Turkeyen and Tain, Berbice.
It is a call to action, a reminder that the true measure of academic achievement lies not in diplomas, but in the tangible impact graduates make on their communities and their nation.
Nearly 3,600 students now join the ranks of the largest graduating class in UG’s 62-year history.
With degrees in hand, they step into a Guyana in the midst of transformation, an economy expanding, infrastructure growing, and society evolving at a pace once considered impossible.
Yet, as President Ali rightly observes, the real engine of this progress is not oil, investment, or resources, it is people.
It is these graduates, equipped with knowledge, skills, and values, who will shape the workforce, industries, and society of a modern Guyana.
The President’s emphasis on lifelong learning resonates in a world where technology and global change reshape industries almost overnight.
Today’s graduates cannot rest on past accomplishments; their education is a foundation for continual growth, adaptation, and innovation.
Competence, creativity, and resilience are now as critical as the degrees they receive. In this sense, education becomes not merely a personal achievement, but a public responsibility—a tool to empower communities, drive national development, and ensure that progress benefits all citizens.
Moreover, the introduction of free tertiary education marks a pivotal moment in Guyana’s nation-building efforts.
By removing financial barriers to higher learning, the government is sending a clear message: education is not a privilege; it is a strategic investment in the country’s future. Every graduate, regardless of background, now has the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to Guyana’s transformation.
As the nation celebrates this historic cohort, the challenge is clear: to apply knowledge with purpose, to innovate, to uplift others, and to embody the values that make education a catalyst for progress.
The future of a globally competitive, technologically advanced, and socially responsible Guyana rests in the hands of these young citizens.
Graduates, as you cross this threshold, remember that the journey of learning has only just begun.
Let curiosity, dedication, and a sense of duty guide you. Guyana’s transformation is underway, but its true heartbeat lies in your efforts to learn, grow, and lead. Education has empowered you, now let your impact empower the nation.