Thirty-nine Cuban scholarship graduates including 20 engineers returned to the country yesterday. A statement from the Government Information Agency (GINA) said that the 39 plus 65 medical students who have another year to go were welcomed at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri by Public Service Minister, Dr Jennifer Westford.

Public Service Minister Dr Jennifer Westford (right) speaking with some of the students. (GINA photo)

The Minister told GINA that several agencies had been contacting her as they were eagerly awaiting the arrival and she indicated that they will be informed of where the graduates will be stationed on August 25.

Jim Ramjay, an engineer said “As soon as I get a job with the government I plan to serve the contract… It was worth it, it’s a sacrifice you make for the country and it makes us become more patriotic.” Ramnarace Sukhna, who studied agronomy and received a gold medal for his performance told GINA, “It was very satisfactory, six long years of very hard work… I would like to thank the government for giving us the opportunity of completing our studies as we plan to make Guyana a better place.”

The 39 include  20 engineers, seven veterinary medicine/zoo technologists and seven agronomists.

Government secured assistance from Cuba during a visit to that country by President Bharrat Jagdeo and a team in 2006. Among the assistance was the offer of 715 scholarships for Guyanese to pursue medicine in Cuba over the next five years, as well as 250 in the disciplines of agriculture and engineering.