After two weeks of protests and other industrial action at the University of Guyana, lecturers and students will have an idea as to how effective their actions have been when they receive feedback today from Pro-Chancellor, Dr Prem Misir.
Stabroek News understands that Misir responded to the protests by way of email last evening.
UG lecturers and several members of the student body have been protesting against the dismissal of lecturers, specifically Freddie Kissoon, and the conditions at the Turkeyen campus. The University of Guyana Students Society (UGSS), the University of Guyana Senior Staff Association (UGSSA) and the University of Guyana Workers Union (UGWU) joined with students in a collaborative effort to fight for these causes under the title ‘Operation Rescue UG’.
They have since written several letters to government officials, including President Donald Ramotar, and members of the UG Administration. In addition, they have met a two-member team from A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), inclusive of Leader David Granger, and a six-member team from the Alliance For Change (AFC), including Leader Khemraj Ramjattan.
It was noted that both political parties requested a document to which they can make reference and the group is in the process of preparing this. Two teams have since been formed and have been tasked with this and have information readily available to do so. Firm commitments have been reportedly made by both the APNU and the AFC to play a role in resolving the issues affecting the lecturers and students.
Cause of action
Meanwhile, President of the UGSS Duane Edwards pointed out that the UGSSA and the UGSS have had discussions about the issues that existed at the institution, prior to the sacking of Kissoon. “The Freddie case is not the cause of action but it has just… led us to such action,” he said.
Edwards also stated that the sit-in, which commenced on Tuesday, has been effective since the library facilities were made unavailable and classes were not held.
President of the UGSSA, Dr Patsy Francis, said that after discovering that the US$10 million World Bank loan had a timeline, she enquired about it only to find out that the document had been at the Ministry of Finance for over six months.
“The World Bank will not give the loan without the commitment… we are left to wonder if it will be signed at all or if we’ll be left here to suffer. We need that money. It won’t fix the entire university but it will be a step in the right direction,” she said.
Francis reiterated the deplorable conditions under which students and lecturers are forced to study and work, with special reference to the outdated and unsafe laboratories and the awful state of the washrooms.
“We have been working with these facilities a long time and we tried to use them the best we could… The walls of the washrooms are full of rust and although we did not find faeces or urine in any toilet, the place is still stinking,” Francis said.
She explained to the group of approximately 100 who gathered on campus yesterday that there must be political involvement in this matter since the UG administration has no authority to seek funding above $1 million and as a result, the government must sign for it.
“Any money that comes to us will have to pass through the government… The matter of Freddie Kissoon ignited the fuse which has led us down this road. The truth is, we have suffered a long time and endured,” Francis stated.
She said that most lecturers carry large course loads and are asked to do research which there are no facilities to conduct.
She noted that they are looking for a way forward and as such, she is awaiting a response from Misir which was expected to be delivered yesterday afternoon.
When Stabroek News contacted Francis last evening, she indicated that she had received a call and was told that a response was sent via email. However, Francis said she was at the moment without internet access and as a result, will only be able to view the letter today.
Apart from that, a group member stated that they have so far received overwhelming support from overseas academic unions and working unions. Also, she said, they have received offers of monetary support which they will take for posters to boost their protest action and attract more supporters.
President of the UGWU, Bruce Haynes, said the exercise was long in coming and previous protests within the university never received the support of stakeholders. “This time the majority of academic staff and students are involved,” he said, before thanking those in attendance for their support.
