Dear Editor,
Mr Vincent Alexander began serving as Registrar of the University of Guyana in the year 2009.
Before, he was Deputy Registrar for a number of years. From 2009 onwards, there were some changes orchestrated by Mr Alexander which have had a positive effect on students’ lives.
First, the Medical Centre opens from 08:30 hrs to 20:00hrs to cater for evening students. Secondly, the Registration and Examination Departments open from 08:30 hrs to 18:00 hrs Monday to Friday, and on Saturday from 09:00hrs to 12 noon. Do note, Editor, that these departments work through lunch specifically to cater for the working class. Thirdly, there is the re-introduction of the one-week semester break and extension of a semester to give students one week‘s study leave before the commencement of final exams. Fourthly there is the revitalization of the sports sector on campus.
Fifthly, there is the introduction of partial payment for students and I can go on and on, but let me now turn my attention to the UG Council.
The UG Council to my knowledge has 20 voting members of which 11 are political appointees. When the Bursar’s renewal of contract came up, his appraisal which was crafted by the then VC, Prof Lawrence Carrington, did not find favour with all, but nonetheless his contract was renewed even though he is over the age of 60.
Mr Alexander’s appraisal was extraordinary. Because of his institutional knowledge, maturity and age (57) the VC recommended immediate renewal. However others thought it best for this humble man to compete for a position that he had held with honours. It was brought to my attention recently that four persons would have applied for the position of Registrar.
Editor I am not at liberty to disclose names but wish to state emphatically that there is no better person for the position of Registrar than Mr Alexander, and I am of the firm view that the entire UG community is in support of him.
Yours faithfully,
Ganesh A Mahipaul