Social work graduates of the University of Guyana have been called upon to give back to the country and rally efforts on pressing social issues.
The charge came on Saturday from the institution’s best graduating student Dionne Frank who in her valedictorian address impressed upon her fellow graduates that while seeking further educational advancement, “after roaming, return and show patriotism because our young people need role models.”
The mother of three is now the holder of a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work and topped the institution, winning the President’s Medal for the best graduating Bachelor’s Degree student.
The Faculty of Social Sciences this year also produced the second best graduating student, Donna Bailey who was also a Social Work student and she carted off the Chancellor’s Medal.
Frank’s achievement also won her the Republic Bank Limited Chairman’s award.
This year’s convocation had been delayed because of conflict between the Academic Board and the UG council which forced the event into December instead of the traditional first Saturday in November hosting. On Saturday it was more a sense of relief among graduates which made the event special with students ensuring that they enjoyed what was truly their day.
“I am happy that the weather held up and that our day is finally here,” one student was heard telling her colleagues as the over 1490 graduands proceeded to the institution’s tarmac where the convocation ceremony has been held for the last 40 years.
Frank, who seemed to be a favourite among fellow graduates, took to the stage with much humility and delivered her address, first in emotional tones, and then without a quiver as her words were greeted by supporting cheers.
She challenged fellow graduates to commit to giving back to the country which she described as belonging to every Guyanese and added some humour with lyrics from the Dave Martins and the Trade Winds song, ‘Not a blade of grass.’
“It is our duty to contribute to this country’s development. It is okay for us to reach out in search of further education but after roaming return and show patriotism. It is our duty to contribute to its development,” she admonished the attentive graduates.
However she urged that there must be motivation for persons who want to remain and contribute to the country’s development.
“There must be meaningful rewards for motivation. We don’t expect super salaries but we must at least be afforded remuneration that affords us a respectable quality of life,” she urged, backed by crowd applause.
Frank lobbied for support to the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security’s ‘Stamp it Out’ campaign which aims at reforming legislation to address sexual violence and the protection of victims.
She said coping with university and family life was challenging and expressed thanks to her mother, husband, children, relatives and lecturers for supporting her throughout her university life.
On the future development of the university, Frank asserted that a collective effort was needed to make it an institution of excellence to be able to compete the world over. She hopes to pursue a Master’s Degree in Human Resource Management.
Meanwhile, Vice-Chancellor Professor James Rose acknowledged that there was deep yearning for excellence. He noted that some sections of the public were already concerned about achievements being made at the level of schools, stressing how important it was for UG to maintain its credibility.
Against this background, Rose told graduates that it was a challenge for the university to recruit and maintain faculty members who believe in standards, excellence and scholarship.
He noted that these traits were important since they formed the basis for maintaining excellence, adding that the university can enhance its own expectations of excellence and outline these to the community at large.
He underscored how vital it was for the university to avoid any temptations and demands which could compromise the selection of faculty, and warned that “compromise is not always the best way to promote the survival of a first class university.”
“No matter what policies are set for admission and graduation
