President Bharrat Jagdeo yesterday charged Government of Guyana/Cuban Scholarship Awardees for the academic year 2008-2009 to study hard and to maintain a social conscience.

President Jagdeo with the awardees of the Cuban Scholarship.

Speaking at an orientation seminar at State House, the President said that Guyana needed the input of everyone inclusive of well-trained young people to assure the future of this country. This is why, he posited, such a large investment was being made in tertiary education especially scholarships abroad. “I think at this time in our whole history, we have the largest number of students on scholarship studying abroad.”

Jagdeo commented that there was a careful selection of the areas of study, taking into consideration where there would be great demand in the future and “we hope that you will use the opportunity in Cuba to ensure that you become as good as you can be.”

The President posited that Guyana has a lot of promise and for one reason or another, it was yet to be realized, but could happen through hard work, honesty and commitment.

The head of state said that “we have an obligation to ensure that very generation has a better life than the past one and that awardees upon their return will be tasked with helping to shape that future.”

He added, “I hope you remain, regardless of the discipline that you are in that you keep a broad perspective on all issues… of national development, world politics and world economy because these help you to be better professionals in the areas in which you are going to serve in a core fashion. It is not good enough to just be a doctor and be narrowly focused only on medicine because medicine relates to a whole range of things.”

The President noted that there might be hardships but such obstacles must be faced with courage, as this was part of the steeling process. He added that the people who overcome the difficulties they have when they study make better professionals because they learn the value of hard work and sacrifice.

Students were also charged by Mr F.A Marchante, ambassador of the Republic of Cuba and Minister of Public service Dr Jennifer Westford.

Westford urged the students to make the most of the experience that could be of a great educational value with regard to a unique cultural environment.