For many Guyanese students studying at the University of the West Indies (UWI) in Trinidad and Tobago, the experience of living in a foreign country can be both exciting and challenging. To help ease the transition and foster a sense of belonging, a group of them came together several years ago to create the Guyana Student Association in Trinidad and Tobago (GUYSATT).
GUYSATT’s Vice President, Naresh Jagnanan, a UWI student, explained that the association was founded to provide a “home away from home” for Guyanese students. GUYSATT’s mission is to create a supportive environment where students can thrive both academically and socially. According to Jagnanan, the group organizes study sessions, mentorship programmes, and workshops aimed at helping members succeed in their studies. Additionally, social events provide opportunities for students to build friendships, share experiences, and maintain connections to their Guyanese culture. The association also regularly hosts cultural events, showcasing Guyanese traditions, festivals, and heritage.
Jagnanan emphasized that GUYSATT serves as a bridge between students and the Guyanese Consulate in Trinidad, led by Consul General (Ag) Vonetta S. Victor. The association assists with immigration-related matters.
Celebrating Guyanese culture
GUYSATT takes pride in its efforts to promote Guyanese culture, and in Trinidad, Jagnanan highlighted the significance of Amerindian Heritage Month, where the association brought the cultural traditions of Guyana’s Indigenous peoples to life for a Trinidadian audience. The event featured traditional craft, clothing, and food, giving students and locals alike a deeper appreciation for the richness of Amerindian heritage. According to Jagnanan, the association also celebrates Guyanese festivals such as Phagwah and Diwali. Jagnanan described the joy these celebrations bring, noting how the vibrant colours of Holi and the beautiful rangoli and diyas of Diwali evoke a strong sense of home for the students. Jagnanan says these events allow Guyanese students to maintain their cultural identity while sharing it with their peers from other countries, fostering cultural exchange and unity.
Jagnanan shared that GUYSATT has its roots in the International Affairs Committee of the Guild of Students at UWI, which led to the creation of island associations in 2015. It was out of this initiative, Jagnanan says that GUYSATT was formally established to serve the growing number of Guyanese students, not just at UWI but also at other institutions like the Hugh Wooding Law School, the University of Trinidad and Tobago, and the University of the Southern Caribbean. Since its inception, Jagnanan noted GUYSATT has grown into a vital resource for Guyanese students in Trinidad. One of the association’s earliest milestones was hosting its first major event in 2016 to celebrate Guyana’s 46th Republic Anniversary. This event, which featured music, dance, and Guyanese cuisine, marked a turning point in bringing students together to celebrate their heritage and build a sense of pride and unity.
As GUYSATT continues to grow, Jagnanan says the association is reaching out to the wider community for support. Jagnanan urges anyone interested in contributing, whether through materials, craft, or financial assistance, to help sustain the group’s efforts. Contributions will support cultural displays, events, and activities that bring Guyanese students together and strengthen their bonds with home. GUYSATT can be contacted at guysatt592@gmail.com for those wishing to lend their support.
Through its ongoing activities and outreach, Jagnanan says that GUYSATT ensures that no matter how far from home they are, Guyanese students always have a place where they belong. With a focus on unity, academic excellence, and cultural pride, Jagnanan says GUYSATT remains dedicated to its motto: “Onward, Upward, May We Ever Go.”
Jagnanan is originally from Wakenaam Island in Region Three, and was one of the top performers in the 2023 Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE). He attended Essequibo Islands Secondary and later Queen’s College, where he excelled as the top CSEC business student in 2021 and the most outstanding CAPE Business Student in 2023.
