On Friday a public consultation on the University of Guyana was held at the Guyana International Convention Centre, Liliendaal. Stabroek News used that opportunity to ask persons what they thought were some of the major problems facing the university and what could be done about them. Here are the responses:
Gale Doris, past student – `I left the university in 1987 and things were better then. Entry was not as easy as it is now. In order to enter one had to get five GCE subjects and if you didn’t have that you had to write an entry exam. Sometimes even if you had the subjects you still had to write an entry exam. I believe that one of the biggest problems is the entry requirement. I want to know how students who are illiterate end up graduating. I think that there should be a special entry requirement such as five CXC subjects, Grades one and two at no more than two sittings. When I went to university in England, you had to have A levels. The university needs to start setting a standard for entry. Another problem is that the whole administration needs to be revamped. It seems like it is just a job to them. That’s the attitude they have but they need to start being more proactive and forceful. Once these two issues are addressed everything else will fall into place.’
Savitri Jetoo, UWI student – ‘I am doing a post grad programme with UWI though the University of Guy-ana. I registered at the University of Guyana online from my home. I am disappointed with the condition of the buildings – the lack of maintenance and the poor state of the library. I am still amazed that in this globalized world one still has to go to the library and use card catalogues. UG has a computer science facility and I believe that special projects should be designed where students can deal with this. This could be a project for the final-year students. I think that utilizing the resources that are already there is part of the solution. The university needs to enter into partnership with the private sector to improve programmes and offer better facilities.’
Lorna Mc Pherson, educator – `I think that at all levels the importance of a university needs to be recognized. A university does not only impart knowledge to people, it should be the place where leaders are created and everything physically and intellectually at a campus should support the objective. I don’t think this is happening at the moment. I think that UG first of all needs to get serious with its whole appearance. If the physical appearance is improved then the perception of its usefulness will improve and in turn will lift spirits and standards. That would make people feel like they are going to some place important, feel important and that their role is important. UG can’t do it on its own but it has to have a vision. Once this vision is articulated people will see how they can assist.’
Marjorie Mc Caskey, volunteer social worker/past student – `I think that the entire physical condition and sanitation state of the university is deplorable. Things were like that since the 80s when I was there until now and I am a bit surprised at that. I think this had to do with a lack of appreciation of the people that run the university. I believe that an improved standard will lift students’ spirit and make them feel worthwhile. I believe that UG should create a place of natural beauty where students can go and relax. We should learn to beautify our surroundings if we want to attract tourists.’
Melvyn Sankies, head of the mechanical engineering de-partment – `Finance is a big problem. Staff at all levels receive poor salaries. I believe that there should be other benefits like duty-free concessions. Also accreditation of our programmes particularly in the Faculty of Technology needs to be looked at. This is very important. The administrative structure at the university needs to be improved too. We need a pro vice chancellor for research like there is at the University of the West Indies. We must start linking up with other universities. To deal with the issue of salaries and the improvement of the facilities at the university, I believe that the fees should be raised.’
Phillip Da Silva, lecturer – `One of the major problems is the state of the laboratories. I think that they need to be retooled so that students could have access to modern equipment and at the same time be able to undertake research that can lead to breakthroughs. The physical infrastructure too needs improvement both at the administrative and student levels. It will be a massive rehabilitation and maintenance will be costly but the students need to start valuing what is theirs.’
Shenelle Agard, second-year student – `I think that the major problems are finance and lack of resources such as books and computer systems. On the issue of financing, I think that more input is needed from the government and the private sector. The university is assisting the private sector with qualified persons and as such they should pitch in. In terms of resources, the private sector could again help out as well as the past students since they had benefited from the institution.’
Paloma Mohamed, lecturer – `I wouldn’t want to focus on the problems but I will speak on what needs to be done. I believe that this consultation was a good first-time initiative. What needs to be done is that lecturers need to be properly remunerated, there needs to be staff development and better facilities for students. UG has to be seen as a major part of the country’s development and a place where the brighter minds are and will be trained. I think that it was a fairly good, insightful discourse that took place.’
Jason Benjamin, student – `I think that the major problems at the university right now are political interference and the inability of the administration to have the kind of leadership that the students would like to see. I think also that there should be collaboration with other universities. I believe that the council should start acting in accordance with UG’s Act that was set up in 1966. In terms of collaboration with other universities, this will result in lots of exchange programmes for students and lecturers. Being exposed to this sort of activity would allow for the better preparation of oneself and the running for the university.’
Colin Stuart, student – `I would say that one of the major issues is registration which seems to be an issue every year since it takes persons some time to get through the process. I think that this problem can be alleviated with online registration. This would reduce the difficulties that may arise. Developing some sort of online programme could also help with the earlier presentation of grades, which students would need to do registration for the next year. The online registration will not only help the locals but those overseas. The library is another problem. We have to be accessing other libraries for information not only because the text available may not be up to date but may not be in sufficient supply. You may have cases where people come and borrow books but return them late. Because of this, one is left at a disadvantage. We need more up-to-date texts at the library to deal with the issue of demand.’