`It cannot be that you’ll be satisfied with being on the fringe looking on, hoping that either the government will step up to the plate or that the next person will do so. Nor can you be afraid to speak out for such fear can only breed a society that is apathetic and mediocre; in whatever you do participate meaningfully’
Some 1400 graduates have now exited the University of Guyana (UG) with a charge by Justice Roxanne George to create a more just society.
Delivering the feature address at UG’s 44th Convo-cation ceremony on Saturday at the Turkeyen campus, the judge based her presentation on the theme of leadership and legacy. Noting that they were most likely equipped with the tools to tackle the challenges facing countries such as Guyana, she said they must also function in a society which upholds democratic values, social justice, fundamental human rights and the rule of law as envisioned in the Constitution.
It was in this context, she added, that she framed the theme.
“As citizens of this nation who have had the privilege and opportunity to obtain tertiary education it is important that you utilise your powers of analysis and critical thinking and the skills and learning you acquired … to promote not only your respective fields of expertise … but to ensure in our society there is respect for human rights.”
Justice George pointed out that the Constitution provides for equality of treatment under the law but opined it was a document to which “we only pay lip service.”
“It is not just a legal document but a living document that we should all appreciate and understand,” she stated.
She added that while Guyana as a country has the responsibility of upholding several human rights conventions it was the individual who has the responsibility to respect and uphold each other’s human rights.
“Human rights issues are people issues; they should shape and mold our values, who we are as a people, where we want to go and how we will get there. Human rights issues can no longer be viewed as referring to purely legal matters … human rights issues are developmental issues that underpin our very existence,” she declared.
Justice George urged the graduands to ensure that in the execution of their duties they apply the principles of human rights to ensure that they do their part. She also called on them to offer their expertise in the voluntary service sector to address the plight of the less fortunate.
The need to ensure that our rights are upheld by the state or each other is important to fostering a more just and responsible society, the judge said.
“We must remember that the violation of the rights of one can result in the violation of the rights of all,” she stated.
She called for humble leadership in the promotion of human rights both at the state and private sphere saying that people must not only speak out about violations by the law enforcement officials but also those of domestic and sexual violence.
“It cannot be that you’ll be satisfied with being on the fringe looking on, hoping that either the government will step up to the plate or that the next person will do so. Nor can you be afraid to speak out for such fear can only breed a society that is apathetic and mediocre; in whatever you do participate meaningfully,” the judge exhorted the graduating class of 2010.
“Empower yourselves to be proactive in securing and safeguarding our human rights. And in the execution of your mandate as leaders, your leadership and stewardship must be such that you are ever conscious of your legacy as you progress,” Justice George said.
Enrollment
Opening the official proceedings Chancellor Dr. Compton Bourne noted that while enrollment was up he believed there was cause for concern since 42% of total enrollment was in the Social Sciences, while Natural Sciences, Technology and Agriculture were underrepresented. Such a configuration, he added, does not correspond well with the human resources requirement for rapid and sustained economic and social development. According to the Chancellor, the university must find ways of substantially increasing enrollment in the sciences and technology.
“This would no doubt entail making efforts to improve the quantity and the quality of the output of secondary schools. Bu it should also envisage the reviewing of the science and technology curricula with a view to making them more attractive to potential students. It might even involve providing financial incentives to potential students,” he stated.
Dr. Bourne acknowledged that while the university has made some strides much more needed to be done and he stated that this could be achieved with the 2009-2012 strategic plan which he described as “an ambitious but realistic roadmap.”
“It is likely that the university will soon receive external funding for a comprehensive independent review of its governance systems and governance arrangement including its act and statutes, the operational relationship between the Turkeyen campus and the Tain campus, budgetary and financial structures and methods of funding the university,” the Chancellor stated.
He added that the recommendations from the review would help benchmark the university with the best practices in established tertiary institutions in the world in addition to enhancing its ability to mobilise financial resources from the government, the corporate sector and foreign benefactors.
The institution’s financial situation, he said, does not only limit its capital development but also its ability
to attract and retain high quality academic and professional staff and compromises the university’s ability to provide students with a high quality learning environment.
“The matter of university finances will engage my attention and that of the vice-chancellor and his management colleagues fully in 2011 as we with the help of experts explore ways of strengthening the university’s finances on a sustainable basis,” Dr. Bourne said.
Valedictorian
Meanwhile, valedictorian Michael George, no relation to the judge, said it was a great honour he had achieved but quipped that giving a speech that lived up to it was a challenge. The Chemistry major, who copped the President Medal as best graduating student, said the four years he spent at the institution were crammed with “trials and tribulations” but it was time that he would never trade.
“But it is not always about finishing the race in first place my comrades, but sometimes just finishing is just as important,” he said to applause from his fellow graduates. “I have learnt to respect my books when it’s needed and have crazy fun when I have the bit of time.”
Alluding to calls from previous valedictorians for graduates to remain in Guyana and help develop the country George said he would not echo that sentiment but agreed they should contribute in some way.
“If you have to go away and study to improve yourselves … please come back and devote even if it is two years or five years, come back and put something back to Guyana,” he stated.
According to George, for a country that produces so many graduates relative to the population size it is “a pity” that Guyana is still a “struggling nation.”
“One may wonder what’s the main reason for this but until we all can accept that we are one nation with one destiny we will continue to struggle, the valedictorian declared.
“A nation or civilisation that continues to produce soft-minded men purchases its own spiritual death on the installment plan,” George quoted Martin Luther King Jr.
George was presented with the President’s Medal by Minister of Tourism Manniram Prashad who represented President Bharrat Jagdeo and Prime Minister Samuel Hinds. The Chancellor’s Medal for the second best graduating student was won by Nelsonia Persaud-Budhram. The Prime Minister’s Medal for best graduating student in Public Management (degree) went to Ian Chung while the Prime Minister’s Medal for best graduating medical student was won by Ronette Goodluck.
Thandiwe Benn secured the Pro-Chancellor’s Medal for the best graduating law student.
Earlier in the evening Professor Joycelynne Loncke was installed as Emeritus Professor. The title is conferred on retired members of the academic community who attained the rank of professor; achieved the distinction of personal chairs; and honourably distinguished themselves in service to the university.
Justice Roxanne George (left) with the deans and the chancellor and vice-chancellor at the ceremony.
