Former Registrar of the University of Guyana, Vincent Alexander – sent home after his contract was not renewed earlier this year – is said to be headed back to that position, well placed sources close to the university confirmed on Saturday.
Alexander’s contract had come to an end and the position of Registrar was advertised locally and internationally. The non-renewal of Alexander’s contract drew the ire of the University of Guyana Students’ Society (UGSS) in addition to the University of Guyana Senior Staff Association (UGSSA) and the University of Guyana Workers Union (UGWU).
On Saturday, Alexander declined to comment on the status of his employment at the university. However, Stabroek News was reliably informed that Alexander was told about the intention to rehire him.
Vice President of the University of Guyana Senior Staff Association, Dr Melissa Ifill called the non-renewal of the contract for Alexander “suspicious” in a letter to this newspaper on February 8, 2012.
“The motivation behind the decision to advertise the position of Registrar, held by prominent opposition member Vincent Alexander, notwithstanding a positive performance evaluation, is viewed with suspicion,” said Ifill.
With reference to two other cases in which persons had their contracts at UG renewed, Ifill said in the letter that the disparate treatment of the three cases “has understandably aroused fears of ethnic and political discrimination among some at the university.”
She said in the letter that the demand of the UGSSA, UGSS and the University of Guyana Workers Union (UGWU) “is that either all the positions are advertised then filled or all are filled on the basis of a performance evaluation. Let us have fairness and parity in the treatment of our staff.”
While Deputy Registrar of the University of Guyana, Alexander was appointed Registrar with effect from April 1, 2009.
Alexander is said to have brought to his former post a wealth of experience and knowledge of the operations of the University, having worked at both the junior and senior administrative levels as well as the academic level of the institution.
Alexander joined the academic staff of the University of Guyana in 1988 as Research/Fellow Lecturer in the Institute of Development Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences. He served as Dean of the faculty from 1993 to 1994. In 1994 he was appointed the first Deputy Registrar of UG, a post he held until his appointment as Registrar.
Alexander is the recipient of numerous awards, among them the 20-year, long-service award in 2008 and the 40th Anniversary award for meritorious service to the university in 2003. The university in a release had stated that Alexander’s ability and application in the field of education has been recognised and lauded both locally and abroad.
