Dear Editor,
I refer to the news article captioned “Former best student boycotts Tain graduation – after Exams Division mix up” (07.12.16).
It is imperative, in adjudging awardees for any occasion, that the process is thorough. The “mix-up” as I understand it, stemmed from the amendment to one student’s profile which in turn affected the GPA ratings of another in the quest for the top award at Guyana’s premier learning institution.
In the interest of saving students the frustration and disappointment associated with situations such as these, I suggest that when profiles are being ratified for awards, all pending grade changes and amendments of any sort should be brought to the fore and ratified simultaneously; this is moreso important for prestigious and ‘sensitive’ awards such as this one.
Further, Kendall said he asked the campus director if he was sure and was told, “Yes, the profiles were confirmed by the academic board and ratified by the board of examination.” Now providing this statement is true and fair, this should be where the contention ends. In university tenure, there are timeframes for everything, paying tuition fees, applying for leave of absence, withdrawing from courses and such like. A grade change is also bound by these timeframes. In no instance should the Academic Board have to pleasure a student with such elating news in one breath and take it back in another.
Irrespective of whether the changes to the other student’s profile were legitimate or not, I am saying that the ratification process was done and a pronouncement was made. Albeit a faulty process, it is one that had been confirmed in at least two different levels. It is difficult to understand why any changes to profiles must be given any consideration at all thereafter.
I submit that it is crucial that we understand the severe implications on the already challenged credibility of the University of Guyana that “slip ups” like these can occur and try to curb these misunderstandings in the future. Our path to international recognition should never be marred by occurrences like these. Even if our actions are impartial, we should strive to eliminate all appearances of partiality in our administrating. As a proud nation, the diligence reflected in the quality of our graduands should accord with the wisdom and excellence with which we handle these sensitive issues.
We simply cannot afford any more lacerations to the image of our university. Our convocation ceremonies should not be clouded by conflicts, but by teary eyes reminiscing on the hard work and sense of achievement that every student feels on graduation day.
Congratulations to the University of Guyana graduating “Class of 2007.
Yours faithfully,
Clive Williams
