The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Guyana Police Force has launched an investigation into the operations of the Centre for Information Technology (CIT) of the University of Guyana (UG), following allegations of theft of equipment from the Centre and misconduct of staff members.
According to a press statement from UG, the investigation was launched at the request of Vice-Chancellor Professor Ivelaw Griffith and the Manager of the Centre and several employees have been sent on leave to facilitate the process.
In their absence the investigation into the alleged disappearance over the last month of a quantity of equipment including batteries and other computer accessories is expected to proceed without disruption of evidence while a safe, orderly, and professional work environment is preserved.
“A temporary manager has been identified to oversee the operations of the Centre during the conduct of the investigation,” the statement explained noting that in a meeting on Monday with the relevant CIT staff and CID officials Griffith committed to having the appropriate action taken by the Police after the investigation ends.
The statement further states that the Ministry of Public Telecommuni-cations has been asked to conduct a forensic audit of the CIT operations at the Turkeyen and Berbice campuses and the four centres of the Institute of Distance and Continuing Education located at Anna Regina, Georgetown, Linden and New Amsterdam.
The audit began yesterday.
Vice-Chancellor, Griffith has reportedly briefed the presidents of the two university unions and the students’ society, as well as relevant university leaders on the development and assured the university community that the Centre’s service to students and staff will be normal while the CID conducts its comprehensive investigation and the Ministry of Public Telecommuni-cations undertakes an institution-wide audit of the CIT, which has been plagued with multiple challenges for some time.
