Dear Editor,
It is true that the purpose stated in the Act establishing the University of Guyana (UG), reads: “…To provide a place of education, learning and research of a standard required and expected of a university of the highest standard…” But, to date not all the stated expectations have been realized. Among the several important reasons why, after nearly fifty years, this institution is still struggling to become a university, is the fact that since its inception in 1963, it has been seriously underfunded. Given the foregoing, I, with the utmost courtesy, suggest that the reasons given by the ‘Governing Council’ of UG for Mr Kissoon’s dismissal (SN, Feb 4), are inappropriate, and most definitely not valid.
I see no need to discuss the issue of age, since numerous precedents exist at UG.
As the only public university in Guyana (the significance and implications of this fact are not sufficiently appreciated), the institution struggled to be all things to all people. As far as I am aware, the question of instruction, research, public service, and in what proportion, was never formally addressed at UG, but was left up to the individual faculty member to decide. Again, to the best of my knowledge, there are no policy directives, or stated goals with regard to research at the University of Guyana. ‘Publish or perish‘ is simply not part of the institution’s ethos. Therefore, it is difficult to conceive how “the need for published academic research,” can be cited as one of “the university’s criteria” for retention.
Further, there is abundant evidence that suggests that some organizational structures, policies and practices at UG, and the resulting institutional climate act as constraints on the research capabilities of faculty members.
Good quality research by faculty members depends on a number of factors. Not only must the faculty members be adequately qualified, but they must be given all possible encouragement, opportunities and the necessary resources (time, money and supplies) to conduct research. This does not happen at UG. Because of the numerous committees in existence, many faculty members are overworked, and all are grossly underpaid.
Usually advanced training in research, that is the research degree (PhD/EdD) is indicative of commitment to research. Research productivity is the outcome of a combination of the faculty member’s interest in research, and the quality and extent of his/her interaction with colleagues who are engaged in research. The reality of the situation is, that because of the absence of these factors, not much research has taken place at UG during the past three decades.
At the time when Mr Kissoon joined the staff at UG, some deans of faculty and heads of department were not necessarily appointed because of their intellectual and administrative abilities, devotion to education and research, and qualities of leadership (Handbook for guidance of Academic and Administrative Staff/UG). Hence, their ability to create environments conducive to a dynamic intellectual life within their departments may well have been limited. Further, the criteria for the appointment and tenure of deans and heads of department bore little relationship to tasks and responsibilities they were expected to perform. The question is, who mentored and socialized Mr Kissoon into research activity when he was recruited? Judging from the Vice-Chancellor’s farewell address to the university community, it would appear that conditions have been worsening for quite some time
What has been taking place at UG since its inception is to a large measure a reflection of the need for our parliamentarians, leaders and their advisors, to have a better understanding of higher education and the role of the university within the wider Guyanese society. Such intellectual traditions together with the required political maturity, are often absent in developing societies. The concept that critical masses of intellectual entrepreneurs (mind power), at every level and every sector of the academic enterprise are necessary for the realization of the university’s potential, is yet to be recognized, and acknowledged by our respective governments.
Consequently, UG councillors need to understand that the deficiency lies not with Mr Freddie Kissoon, but with the persons we have elected to serve Guyanese and Guyana. Now that they have been made more aware of the reasons why research at the University of Guyana is such a rarity, they ought, with the utmost speed, to do two things.
First, the UG councillors ought to do the only honourable and correct thing – rescind Mr Kissoon’s wrongful dismissal. Second, they should use their energies to persuade their caucus to do whatever is necessary to enable the University of Guyana, Turkeyen, to access the US$10 million that faculty members worked so zealously to secure from the World Bank, and which the institution desperately needs to become more effective in responding to the needs of its students, its staff and the wider Guyanese society.
Yours faithfully
Clarence O Perry
