— Min. Scott encourages Carnegie graduands
JUNIOR Social Protection Minister with responsibility for Labour, Keith Scott, on Thursday charged graduands of the Carnegie School of Home Economics (CSHE) to contribute meaningfully to society, pointing out that however small, it will be significant to the development of Guyana.
The minister made those remarks at the 84th graduation ceremony for the 2017 graduands of the Carnegie School of Home Economics (CSHE) and the Craft Production and Design Division of the Ministry of Education.
The event was held on Thursday, last, at the Princess Ramada Hotel, Providence, East Bank Demerara.
Delivering the feature address, Minister Scott told the graduating students that having completed their courses of study, their contribution to the national economy can be significant enough to fuel economic development in Guyana.
He said the development of Guyana, therefore, is synonymous with the personal development of the graduands.
He commended the principal of the Carnegie School of Home Economics, Penelope Harris and her staff, for the high level of commitment and dedication they have shown to the institution to ensure that quality education is provided to its students.
Minister Scott reminded the graduands that they would have inherited the excellent reputation that their predecessors would have created for the institution. He implored of them to recognise what they have inherited and to recognise that they have done well within their respective field of study.
He further urged the graduands to be cognisant that wherever their paths may lead them, to ensure that they are connected to success. In her presentation of the Annual Report of the CSHE, the principal said that the 79 graduands will proceed into a life of commerce while some will further their studies. The graduands that were honoured and celebrated completed courses in Household Management – Commercial Food Preparation (23), Household Management – Garment Construction (nine), Interior Decoration (six), Cosmetology (16) and Catering and Hospitality (25).
Further, she said, students would have completed internships at a number of entities within the tourism and hospitality sector, the garment industry, the beauty care industry and at the CARICOM Secretariat.
She said that outside of training students of the institution, the CSHE would have offered training to government ministries, private sector organisations and non-government organisations, upon request. The CSHE was also represented at the recently held Carifesta XIII held in Barbados.
Harris also provided highlights of the past year for the institution. She said that the CSHE would have catered for several local and international events. She added that there has been continuous upgrading and automation of the institution’s record-keeping and accounting systems, the acquisition of industrial cookers and an industrial mixer and participation in many national and other events including open days and career fairs.
OPPORTUNITIES
She added that there are opportunities in a number of areas for the advancement of the school’s programme.
These include greater links with industry, good prospects for accreditation, collaboration with regional institutions in CARICOM countries, the introduction of the Competency-Based Education and Training in all disciplines and the expansion of the hospitality programme to include tourism, hospitality management, resort management, fashion designing and bartending, among others.
Harris said the institution is in the process of transitioning to a new uniform that will give students a more professional appearance.
Among the projections, the principal said that it is anticipated that programmes offered will be accredited in the near future, beginning with the catering hospitality course.
Further, it is projected that services offered to the public will expand and staff welfare will be improved, among others.
In addition to the 79 graduands from the CSHE, there were 51 students of the Craft Production and Design Division who also successfully completed their training. Chief Craft Production Officer of the Craft Production and Design Division of the Ministry of Education, Kim Gordon said that the graduands excelled in the areas of Visual Arts and Garment Construction along with Information Technology and other academic subject areas.
WEALTH
She said “Skill is wealth” and as a result, the graduands will be empowered to sustain themselves while making a meaningful contribution to Guyana’s development.
Gordon said that the skills taught and learnt are important and will remain relevant in Guyana’s society. She added that with the abundance of the country’s natural resources, much can be achieved by employing innovative techniques.
She wished the graduands prosperity, happiness, and success in their future endeavours.
Delivering the charge to the graduates was Colin Langford, Manager of Lezon’s. He charged them to always seek opportunities for personal and professional growth and urged that they conduct themselves in a manner that people will hold their professions in the highest esteem, and too they show appreciation for the work of colleagues in similar professional disciplines.
Lastly, he charged the graduates not to forget their Alma Mater and to ensure that they do whatever is possible to facilitate its improvement.
The valedictorians for this year’s graduating class were Abigail Semple from the Craft Production and Design Division and Sarah Henry from the CSHE. In their speeches to their colleagues and relatives, the young women reminded their friends of the good times and fond memories created while studying together and urged that they stay focused on the goals to be achieved.
