I have noticed in the print media a lot of issues being mentioned about the University of Guyana (UG. I wish to state my observation and concern about the Centre of Information Technology (IT).
This facility was built by the Government of Guyana and opened by no other than his Excellency President Bharrat Jagdeo in 2003 to assist the students and the various Departments of the University with up to date information technology and services, a plus for the nation.
However, while prescriptions are in place for the students to accept an increase in annual fees they are also being forced to accept the poor services from the existing facilities by those attending the university. The corrupt practices and the use of this prestigious facility for the personal benefit of the Manager and some staff could be seen on a daily basis.
Can you believe it? At the front desk, doing clerical duties is a highly paid technician who on a daily basis could be seen blatantly converting the collected funds for his personal use. Students have to pay for the use of the services and no receipt is offered when payment is made for funds collected. So much for transparency and accountability at this facility which is found within the premises of the highest educational institution of our country, and which produces our “brain” pool.  One of the said technicians was suspended for one year with pay allegedly on the charge of embezzlement. He could be seen back on the job untouched.
I was reliably informed that when the current manager went on his annual vacation, the person left in charge tried to implement systems to do checks and balances for which he received personal threats to his life from colleagues
Finally, could someone inform us of the job description for the manager of this facility other than entertaining his big shot friends with alcoholic beverages in his office on a regular basis? It is my wish that the stakeholders entertain a forensic audit of this facility to ascertain the quality of services offered and the daily receipt of funds if it’s not too late.