Vice-Chancellor of the University of Guyana, Professor Lawrence Carrington, on Friday emphasized the importance of Social Sciences in grappling with local and global problems, as Republic Bank (Guyana) Limited’s held its University of Guyana awards ceremony.
Carrington, speaking in the marketing conference room of the company’s head office, New Market Street, said Social Sciences could help countries especially Guyana grapple with political and economic problems like those facing the Euro zone and Euro currency.
The professor cited countries where people were rising up against governments globally even those that are democratically elected.
The Vice-Chancellor said people are continuing to be mesmerized by Science and Technology but at the end of the day it is Social Sciences that have to help find solutions to problems facing many nations.
As such he urged the authorities to place greater emphasis on Social Sciences to help cultivate a cadre of leaders who would help this country in developing sustainably.
The honoured recipients were Steve Singh, an employee with the Gafsons Group of Companies and Ravina Ramesar of Associated Industries Limited (Ainlim). The two University of Guyana Academic Achievement awards scholars received crystal plaques and $150,000 and $125,000 respectively.
Managing Director of RBL, John Alves in his remarks said that the awards were significant for his company since they afford the opportunity to acknowledge the achievements of and reward top performers in the faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Guyana.
He said that under the company’s ‘Power to make a difference’ community outreach initiative much support is given to social investment in Guyana.
Ramesar the best graduating student with a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work said she was pleasantly surprised when the bank contacted her to tell her of the award. She said that while achieving her degree she enjoyed, especially community work. It was her love for her discipline of study, she said, that helped in her achieving top honours.
Honoree Singh, proudly holding his newborn son, told Stabroek News that his award for Best Graduating student with a Diploma in Banking and Finance, did not come easily. He said he endured many gruelling nights of study as he worked to provide for himself and new family. However, he said, with perseverance and the dream to succeed he was reaping just rewards.
