-President tells returning scholars
Scholars from various scholarship programmes received their certificates at a graduation ceremony yesterday and were urged to work towards the development of the country.
Some of the graduates pose with President Bharrat Jagdeo (right, in suit) at the National Cultural Centre yesterday.
Thirty-one persons, who completed studies under the Cuban Scholarship Programme, six graduates who studied through Organisation of American States Scholarships, 14 who had received Commonwealth Scholarships and two others who studied through scholarships in China and Indonesia received their certificates at the ceremony held at the National Cultural Centre.
President Bharrat Jagdeo, in delivering the charge, told the graduates now that they were back in the country, they would have to face the reality of life as they enter the world of work and raise families. Noting that the challenges to the country are huge and the human, financial and technical resources in Guyana are inadequate, he said that this can be changed by hard work.
In this light, the president said that the political culture of the country must be changed. “We have to work to change the political culture of the land”, he declared adding that Guyana has too much promise and potential to remain unfulfilled. He said that the culture must be changed to one where people can have differences but resolve these in a “civilized manner”.
The president urged the graduates to look at value for money and productivity in what they do. He noted that they would feel hardships and there would be times when they would be frustrated and stressed that they must remain positive. He commented that he hoped that the graduates remain humble and people friendly stating that this is one of the things that bother him, noting that in some agencies, junior officials treat people in a manner that he would not do as President.
“Go beyond the obvious”, he urged the graduates stating that they must not let the newspapers and television and the people who fashion the programmes think for them. He stated that if they allow this, they would be led by the nose.
The graduates studied in several fields including medicine, agronomy, sports, forestry engineering, veterinary medicine, economics and computer science, among others.
Medical Doctor, Zelda Luke, went on a scholarship to Cuba in 2001 and graduated this year. She told Stabroek News that she felt very proud noting that she had worked hard and had accomplished her dream.
Clyde and Anne Dodson, the parents of Ozaye Dodson said that they felt very proud of their eldest son, who is now a doctor of veterinary medicine. As they awaited their son, who was posing for photographs with friends, they related that he had gone to Cuba in 2001 and it was six years of “long and hard study”. Ozaye is now attached to the Ministry of Agriculture.
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Grayson Halley, went to Cuba on a partial scholarship and completed his studies two years ago. He is attached to the Ministry of Agriculture and said that while work is challenging, he gets to travel to various parts of the country.
Public Service Minister, Jennifer Westford earlier had noted that “most importantly” the scholars had returned to serve their country and thanked the Cuban government. Also present at the ceremony was Acting Cuban ambassador, Mercedes Martinez Herrera, who urged the graduates to serve their country with dignity.
Head of the Public Service, Dr. Nanda Gopaul, chaired the ceremony which also saw the presence of other government officials, including Prime Minister Samuel Hinds.
That is an excellent charge by the president. Very often the public opinion is shaped by the media. The media should be responsible and report news and facts and not present opinion as fact. Media houses owe this to the youths and to the development of our nation.
President Jagdeo is in the best position to ‘ change the culture ‘ by example and nurturing optimism. He should move forward and press for transparency and accountability in governance; establish the Procurement Commission, pass the Freedom of Information Bill, Broadcasting Legislation to facilitate private broadcasting, appoint The Police Commissioner, strenghten the judiciary, professionalise the Police Force and make it accountable to parliament etc; etc.
Otherwise, this will be another event of ‘ hot air ‘ and cynicism and, it is a ‘ guyanese secret ‘, that preparations are already underway, for many of these young people to seek greener pastures in the USA, Canada and other countries.
Unless, the political leaders of the administration, ‘ change the culture ‘ by example, by genuinely moving foward with the neccessay reforms, they can expect little or nothing from these new graduates.
I’d like to extend warmest congratulations to all those bright young graduates. It does my heart good to see the children of a few of my old friends do so well. While we all hope and pray that they stay and serve Guyana well, we must not kid ourselves. They are human too and have needs and wants just like anyone else. Mr. President and cabinet, please treat them right.