Dear Editor,
I was in Trinidad in late January for a carnival fete at University of the West Indies where I met many prominent Guyanese who had flown in from NYC and Guyana to patronize the event. Actually I went to the chutney finals competition and decided to attend the carnival fete to meet old friends. Known as the annual UWI fete, there was a hefty entrance fee. But party goers paid it knowing it was for a worthy cause and socializing with an exclusive crowd. And looking at the size of the crowd (A Who is Who in T&T) of a few thousands, I am sure millions of TT dollars were raised for the university. I believe similar fund raising events should be held at the UG campuses at Turkeyen and Port Mourant that can raise badly needed money to fund programs and research or assist underprivileged students.
The event at UWI was hosted by eminent Guyanese Professor Clem Sankat, a Berbician. Attendees mobbed him. He is very charismatic and sociable. Guyanese from NY and Guyana rushed to meet and take photographs with the new Principal of UWI, St. Augustine. And he was glad to see so many Guyanese. He jovially fraternized with us. I can’t say whether so many Guyanese went to the fete because Dr. Sankat was the host. He was after all a gracious, friendly man not to mention an outstanding academic who is well liked at the university and by the government because of his professionalism.
I am confident overseas Guyanese would also fly into Guyana for a fundraising event for UG or purchase tickets to the event even if they can’t attend the function. UG administrators should consider such an event if there isn’t already one.
I am sure Dr. Sankat will be willing to advise administrators at UG on how to initiate such a “carnival” or cultural fundraiser that attracts the elite of Guyanese society. When I met Clem again in early March in Trinidad, by sheer coincidence, as Guyanese we talked briefly about worrying issues in our homeland and the state of affairs at UG. Prof Sankat is concerned about his former homeland and expressed a desire to assist UG in whatever he can. I think UG administrators should take advantage of Sankat’s position as head of UWI to further relations between the two universities and to look at avenues on how UWI can assist U.G.
Yours faithfully,
Vishnu Bisram
