University of Guyana

Introduction

The University of Guyana is in the process of appointing a new Vice Chancellor. Compared with past appointments, it would seem like this hire is more in line with modern procedures pertaining to the employment of academics. In the US or Canada, for instance, a professor or senior administrator is required to compete by undergoing interviews and perform a job talk. The nation’s only university faces many challenges, which I do not think are insurmountable. Many of the wounds are self-inflicted by politicians, students and faculty. Several politicians on the UG Council are there mainly for satisfying the political goals of the political party. Most times party objectives do not coincide with what is best for the university or Guyana.

Some Problems

UG’s main medium term financial trouble stems from the fact that revenues are tied to an old G$/US$ exchange rate of 124, while its