Dear Editor,
The University of Guyana wishes to thank you, and all the media, for the coverage of the institution’s 42nd Convo-cation exercises, and notes with appreciation, the support you have always given to the university.
The firm consensus is that it was a particularly successful convocation, especially considering the constraints occasioned by the shift of venue from the Turkeyen Campus to the National Cultural Centre. It is regrettable, however, that in your coverage, you chose to highlight the one blemish caused by this change over all the positive achievements that enhanced the occasion.
You repeated in two different issues, thus giving it special focus, a report that several persons were shut out of the building and “later on,” a screen was set up in the foyer to show the graduation proceedings. This was not only less than fair, but inaccurate. The following are the facts.
The switch to the cultural centre was forced upon the university by the continuous inclement weather, which made it impossible to stage the event on the Turkeyen Campus. Unfortunately, this meant more constricted space and far fewer seats for guests. The university immediately arranged for extra seating in both the upper and lower foyers of the cultural centre. Plans were also put in place for two large screens to be set up in both foyers to beam the proceedings for those who had to be outside. The screens were in place before the start of the convocation.
The university regrets the inconvenience and the disappointment that must have resulted from these forced contingencies. The institution appreciates the continued support and understanding shown by students, graduands, their families, friends and guests, and once again congratulates those who braved the demanding course to final graduation.
Yours faithfully,
Al Creighton
On behalf of University
of Guyana Public Relations
Editor’s note
Whatever the reason, it was the case that persons could not get into the National Cultural Centre for the convocation, and it constituted perfectly legitimate reporting to say so. As far as the screens were concerned, when our reporter went into the cultural centre there were no arrangements in place for persons to view the relayed proceedings, even if the screens were already in the foyer. When she left, however, seats had been arranged and a number of people were sitting watching the convocation.
