A phased integration of UG into UWI needs re-examination

Dear Editor,

Harry Hergash in Saturday’s issue of SN drew attention to the Report of President Cheddi Jagan’s Commission on the University of Guyana (‘The firing of Kissoon can only serve to embarrass the PPP and the President’). It is important to draw attention to the existence of well considered and documented proposals for improvement of the university. A few years earlier in 1992, a commission set up by then Chancellor, Sir Shridath Ramphal, with eminent international, Caribbean and local membership under Sir Roy Augier, also provided a comprehensive report with major recommendations on governance, with particular attention to the composition of the Council, calling in fact for a reconstitution, and substantial involvement in it of high level people from the wider community.

Unfortunately these reports were not widely discussed or subjected to a sustained follow-up process. Guyana had substantial involvement in leading this work, not only on a consultative basis but also more directly, with  participation in the Commissions by  Prof Ewart Thomas in the first, Prof Clive Thomas in the second and myself in both.

The existing build-up of problems together with continuing questionable tertiary education standards, calls now for a major technical review set up by the President in consultation with other political leaders and by the Chancellor, drawing on these reports, wide consultation and comparative experience. One issue considered by the 1992 Commission was a phased integration of UG into UWI. This idea needs reviving and re-examination. It is perhaps more feasible now than in 1992 because Guyana is in a better position to afford upgrading. Although the President’s

Commission met with much resistance to the idea of integration from staff, partly for reasons of immediate self-interest in fearing higher demands, and more widely for reasons of nationalism and politics, in resistance to the idea of diluting the notion of a Dr Jagan’s or a Guyana creation.

But improvement of standards is much more important for all concerned and for Guyana’s  development and standing, and recognition of the university and its certification and  harmonious regional mutual recognition. And these would be much more easily and quickly achieved by closer association with UWI. Currently the prospect is for stagnation or retrogression. There is already some collaboration with UWI, but this needs major enhancement. The nationalism point could be tempered by recognising that there is increasing autonomy in the various campuses of UWI with each developing its own character and financing.

Yours faithfully,
Bishnodat Persaud