While progress has been made on a series of grievances, protests will continue at the University of Guyana until dismissed lecturer Freddie Kissoon is rehired and a World Bank loan document is signed, according to the head of the senior staff association.
‘Operation Rescue UG’ was formed by the University of Guyana Students Society (UGSS), the University of Guyana Senior Staff Association (UGSSA) and the University of Guyana Workers Union (UGWU) to work towards having issues affecting them addressed.
‘Operation Rescue UG’ has been protesting for three weeks now against the dismissal of lecturers, specifically Kissoon, and the conditions at the Turkeyen campus.
Yesterday, President of the UGSSA, Dr. Patsy Francis, sat down with Stabroek News to discuss what has so far been done and what is expected.
“There has been a move on all matters except the Freddie Kissoon dismissal. They said the process was legal and that they did it only on the grounds of academics,” she said, adding that progress has been made in all issues except that of Kissoon.
“The university is going to move on the matters of infrastructure and the World Bank loan and all other matters, except the matter of the dismissal of the staff members… he (Pro-Chancellor Prem Misir) did not say so in so many words but that is what it all comes down to,” Francis said.
She noted that they have requested that Kissoon’s contract be reviewed as this is supposed to be done every year.
Meanwhile, Francis explained that the Pro-Chancellor indicated to her via e-mail that several plans are in place to improve the UG facilities and classrooms.
Buildings slated to be repainted are Agriculture, Natural Sciences Annex, Biodiversity, Health Science, Education Lecture Theatre, Technology, Stables- Arts and Social Sciences, George Walcott Lecture Theatre and the small lecture theatre.
Roofs of the Senior Common Room, New Building Society Hall and Residence, Technology, Maintenance, Offices of Natural Science, Health Sciences Anatomy Laboratory and the Stables- Social Sciences and Arts will all be replaced.
There will also be rehabilitation and flushing of all manholes and total restoration of tile work in washrooms. It was noted that the perimeter canals are constantly cleared but clearing of the main distribution outlets leading to the Liliendaal Pump Station outside of the campus will be addressed.
In addition to this, the electrical wiring in 90% of the existing buildings will be replaced.
In addressing security issues, the Pro Chancellor assured that 70% of the campus will be fenced.
Misir noted that the dismissal of Kissoon has been misconstrued as being a result of political bias. He emphasized that being a pensioner, Kissoon is not subject to automation re-employment. “The Council by consensus on strictly academic considerations decided to terminate Mr. Kissoon’s one-year contract, which did not have the prior approval of the Appointments Committee. As stipulated in the contract, Mr. Kissoon will be granted all salaries in lieu of notice and all other benefits to which he is entitled.”
Misir in his letter to Francis also gave his version of where things stood with the World Bank loan. “There appears to be a misguided perception that the Government of Guyana refuses to sign the World Bank negotiated loan, and that this ‘refusal to sign’ the loan is an indication of prevarication on the part of the Government. This is not the case.
The first disbursement of this loan is conditional to the University of Guyana and the Ministry of Education establishing a Steering Committee to oversee the project as well as the University of Guyana’s preparation of the terms of reference for the project execution unit, among other conditions.
Once these conditions precedent to the first disbursement are satisfied, the Government of Guyana will sign the loan agreement to trigger the disbursement. “
He added that efforts have also been made to transform the archaic constitution of the university. “In this regard, the CDB approved a grant of US$250,000 (83%) with UG matching this funding with US$50,000 (17%), to guide the rehabilitation of the regulatory and operational framework of the institution. The expected outputs from this project include presenting a relevant regulatory framework, a resource mobilization plan, a change management program, and corporate systems and operational procedures.
Through the public tendering process, a consultant was selected, and the project will commence imminently”, Misir added.
Meanwhile, students and lecturers came out yesterday to continue to fight for the commitments to become a reality with approximately 75 persons at the forefront. Francis pointed out that she was pleased at this turnout as it reminded her of the support they received on the first day of the protest three weeks ago.
She indicated that the students have to understand the reasons why such action is being taken, adding that though many may be getting frustrated, it is her will to have students resume studies under more comfortable circumstances, which will benefit them in the long run.
