Some 18 students of the University of Guyana (UG) were rewarded for their academic excellence some of whom were praised for overcoming hurdles such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to a release yesterday from the Department of Events, Conferences and Communication (DECC) of the university, the Faculty of Earth and Environmental Sciences (FEES), which it boasts as currently ranked number 5 in the world, recently hosted its annual awards and prize giving ceremony which saw several of the Faculty’s top performers being recognised for their outstanding performances for the 2022/2023 Academic Year.
Vice-Chancellor, Professor Paloma Mohamed-Martin, who addressed the simple ceremony held at the university’s Education Lecture Theatre, Turkeyen Campus, congratulated the awardees and said that she was “uplifted to see so many beautiful young people who are achieving great things, many of them doing so despite facing serious challenges.”
She told the awardees that no matter what challenges they faced personally, as a university, and as a country, they should always remember three things. “1) The challenge is as big as you make it; 2) you were not created to be weak, afraid, unable to survive; you are created beautifully, wonderfully and strong; and 3) these challenges are only momentary.”
The VC did not forget to thank the members of the faculty as well as other administrative staff for their valuable input and noted that it was due in part to their commitment that the students are able to achieve success.
Dean of FEES, Linda Johnson-Bhola, the release stated, congratulated the awardees for their exemplary performances and wished them well in their future endeavours. “I am especially proud of your outstanding personal achievement in every area for which you are receiving an award/prize, having recognised the difficulties experienced during your studies. We all are aware that during the COVID-19 pandemic, you have received instruction under modalities to which you were unaccustomed…you did not quit; you persevered, being fully aware that there is light at the end of the tunnel.”
She added, “In the case of continuing students, who are also receiving awards and prizes, congratulations too and continue to press on. I trust that today’s ceremony will be an inspiration as you proceed with your studies. You also have the opportunity to build upon what you have achieved so far.”
And Assistant Dean, Esan Hamer, posited that the awardees will serve as an inspiration to other students while taking the opportunity to inform that the faculty is undertaking a number of new initiatives to ensure that students have a wonderful and rewarding experience at the University.
The event’s keynote speaker, Chief Development Planner at the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA), Germene Stewart, who is also an alum of UG, reminded the awardees of the critical role of the earth and environmental sciences in shaping the world.
“Our understanding of the eco-systems and the environment equips us with knowledge and insight as we navigate the 21st century. Whether your paths lead you to careers in environmental management or urban planning or any field of geographical studies, try to be ambassadors of geographical knowledge.”
“As we celebrate your achievements, let us reflect on the immense of potential that lies within you. You stand on the cusp of a new chapter in your life, the skills you have honed are the building blocks of informed decision-making and social change,” she further encouraged.
Those awarded are as follows:
The Faculty of Earth & Environmental Sciences Award: for the best-graduating student who achieved an overall GPA of 2.7 and above – Nirvana Persaud (GPA 3.95)
The Leyann Brewster Memorial Award: for the Most Improved Geography Student, who has shown great improvement in his/her academic performance, having attained a minimum GPA of3.0 during his/her studies in the Department of Geography, the Faculty of Earth and Environmental Sciences (FEES) – Jamacie Victorine (GPA 3.23)
The Deryck M. Bernard Memorial Award: for the Best Graduating BSc. Geography Student, who has obtained the highest Grade Point Average (GPA) in his/her studies in the Department of Geography, (FEES) – Nirvana Persaud (GPA 3.95)
The Deryck M. Bernard Memorial Award: for the Best Graduating Student of the MSc in Urban& Regional Planning Programme, who has obtained the highest Grade Point Average (GPA) in his/her studies in the Department of Geography, (FEES) – Dulcie Abraham (GPA 3.83)
Continuing Students’ Awards/Prizes
The Faculty of Earth & Environmental Sciences Prizes: for the best First, Second- and Third-Year students who achieved a GPA of 2.7 and above and who did not fail a course in the year of the award.
First Year – Ariel Yong (GPA 3.7); Second Year – Sakinah Ghannie (GPA 3.9); Third Year – Sarah Reid (GPA 4.0)
FEES’ Best Undergraduate Research Project – Nelson Shonnella (86.1%); FEES’ Best Graduating MSc. Student – Dulcie Abraham (GPA 3.8); and FEES’ Best Graduating All-Round Student – Hema Persaud (GPA 3.5)
FEES Volunteer Awards for students from each year: 1st year – Rahul Chunga and Nazema Sattar; 2nd year – Charldon Greaves and Ruth Patterson; 3rd year – Nishida Persaud and Jasmine Crawford; and 4th year – Nirvana Persaud and Gamaliel McGarrel.
The release also informed that persons wishing to view the awards ceremony can do so at
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AJjbB5ezSNU0AMZZs7RQRuoULreOuyyr/view?usp=sharing
