– in address on 180th anniversary
Referencing themes of humility, tolerance, and social conscience, President Irfaan Ali, in an address at the Special General Assembly for Queen’s College’s 180th Anniversary yesterday urged alumni, educators and students to honour what the institution stands for and its contributions to cultivating leadership and excellence in the nation.
Highlighting the crucial link between our past, present, and future in building a brighter, stronger Guyana, President Ali said, “I recognize all the distinguished men and women who sit before me… I want to also acknowledge the tremendous contribution this school would have made in producing some of our finest sons and daughters in service to our country and a global family.”
He challenged the audience at the National Cultural Centre to reflect on the interconnectedness of society, spotlighting the commitment of the school’s teachers. Speaking of the current staff, he noted, “Of your 56 plus teachers, save and accept the four student teachers, none of them attended QC. What is the lesson of this? … [It is] that the service you will give does not depend on where your starting point is. It depends on some characteristics that are important; it requires a certain commitment.”