Guyana’s most prominent industrialist Yesu Persaud, the Chairman of Deme-rara Distillers Limited, will be granted an honorary doctorate by the University of Warwick in July. Warwick is a UK ‘Top Five’ University an academic institution of world renown. `Dr’Persaud was honoured for his work in the helping the restoration of democracy in Guyana in 1993 plus his skills as a businessman in making ‘El Dorado’ into a quality world brand and the creation of the Institute for Private Enterprise Development. I caught up with him not long after he had received the good news.

How do you feel about this award?

I feel really honoured to be bestowed with the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters of the University of Warwick, one of the most prestigious Universities in the United Kingdom.

What does it mean to you?

Never in my wildest dreams had I anticipated that such a prestigious University would be honouring me with an Honorary Doctorate. Whatever I’ve had to do over the years I did it with passion and a sense of professionalism. I’ve been through some difficult times making difficult decisions but I was able to ride the tide despite the obstacles in the way.

The ‘mother country’ where you qualified as an accountant is honouring you. Does this please you?

It really pleases me a great deal. While I was studying and living in London I really enjoyed it and had reached the stage where I was offered a partnership with the firm I worked with but I decided it was best to return home to Guyana.

What is your relationship to the University of Warwick now and in the future? This is a world class University – does that make the honour any more special?

I have been an Associate Fellow of the University of Warwick for almost a decade and I am associated with a continuing lecture programme at Warwick; the most recent being a lecture on Faith and Politics in a diverse society done by my fellow Guyanese Baroness Valerie Amos (Former Leader of the House of Lords). on October 18th 2007.

Yes, indeed the honour is more than special coming from such a prestigious institution as the University of Warwick.

Will you now want to be addressed as “Dr. Persaud”?

Your humble servant is not interested in titles. If it is prudent to use it then I surely will.