OIL Expo, Education
Many including this Columnist have been regularly communicating, encouraging, and explaining the huge benefits for a FOCUS on EDUCATION in Guyana, by His Excellency President Dr. Ali and his administration, now in its 26 th. of the last 31 years in Government. Our continuing advocacies for FREE EDUCATION AT UG; Past Debts Write Offs; UG Campus in Linden & Essequibo; UG’s Full Remote Internet accesses to all 10 Regions and Diaspora for ONLINE Education Classes; GOAL to be a DIVISION of UG; and Improved ACCREDITATIONS at UG for Bachelors, Masters & Doctorates, Degrees.
At OIL EXPO this week, World Bank Resident Representative for Guyana, and Suriname, Diletta Doretti, said “ Guyana needs to step up education to address technical skills deficit.” Hopefully, this comment will motivate PPPC for immediate action, without further delays, promises and procrastinations. https://www.stabroeknews.com/2023/02/15/news/guyana/guyana-needs-to-step-up-education-to-address-technical-skills-deficit/
OIL Expo, missed opportunities.
Huge, missed opportunities at OPENING DAY, by ABSENCES from High School’s Students, Technical Institutes’ Students, Opposition Parties’ Leaders, Civil Society Leaders, and Media Representatives to interface with all the visiting dignitaries, for conversations, with questions and answers of high interest to both Guyanese and Investors.
- “EDUCATION is ONE of the KEY DRIVERS to SUCCESS for Individuals and a Nation as a Whole, as EDUCATION is a very CRITICAL Social Protection MEASURE and a MEANS of ESCAPING POVERTY.”
- “EDUCATION is PIVOTAL and opens the door to FREEDOM, with a Path to Possibilities.”
- “A Society without Education is a Society without Knowledge, which can never be Independent.”
“John Barnett Hess Library at UG?” A NEW Modern Library?
Do recommend UG’s Leadership, for their URGENT REACH OUT to CEO John Barnett Hess for his support to UG for a NEW Library with Modern Technological Facilities, Staff Training, and for UG Library to be the “John Barnett Hess Library at UG.” CEO John Barnett Hess could be one of the 60th. Anniversary in 2023, Commencement Speakers, by a HARVARD University Business Graduate, coupled with the recognition of a UG’s Honorary Degree, in appreciation for his Global and Guyana’s sterling assistance in Health, Oil and Education. CEO Hess holds a bachelor’s degree 1975, from Harvard College and an MBA, 1977, from the Harvard Business School. A member of the Board of Dean’s Advisors at Harvard Business School, he was also Chairman of the Harvard Business School Campaign.
UNIVERSITY of GUYANA from KUWAIT UNIVERSITY
Whilst serving as Ambassador to KUWAIT August 2016-July 2020, approached Kuwait University (KU) for assistance to UG and KU asked for UG’s Financials and few other key details for their review. 10th. VC Dr Ivelaw Griffith, August 22, 2017, Email said, for Deputy VC to assist. That Deputy VC was arrogant, did not understand or cared to understand, Arabic Culture, Education and Business Styles, was not helpful and DID NOT SEND ANY of the requested UG’s details. UG VC sent an invitation for Commencement Speaker to the President of Kuwait University, with the invitation being hand delivered, but was immediately declined. Kuwait University was not pleased that NONE of their requested information was submitted. So, Ambassador Dr. Shamir could not move forward. Looking back, VC’s DIRECT in place of DELEGATION, would have achieved a better OUTCOME.
EXAMPLE of DIRECT versus DELEGATION in Kuwait for success with 67% USD $51M DEBT WRITE OFF: 1st Ambassador to Kuwait 2011 to 2014 Dr. Ishmael, and subsequently, the First Secretary chosen by President Jagdeo, from CIOG for Kuwait 2014 to 2016, and BOTH, COULD NOT SECURE A Meeting in Kuwait, for Debt Reduction Discussions, as stated by Guyana Ministry of Finance, Head of Debt Management in 2016. Had Ambassador Dr. Shamir delegated this responsibility to the First Secretary at the Embassy, Guyana would not have secured in March 2019, 67 % of DEBT WRITE OFF for USD $50.7 Million. The Remaining 33 % for USD $24.9 Million to be repaid in a combination of cash payments and debt swaps. WE actively tried for 100% WRITE OFF, but had to be mindful of precedents, as 67 Nations of the 112 Embassies in Kuwait, OWE Kuwait. Herculean Efforts with Senior Minister of Finance Hon. Winston Jordan and MoF HEAD of Debt Management Ms. Donna Yearwood, for the debt write off.
UNIVERSITY of GUYANA from QATAR UNIVERSITY
Whilst serving as Ambassador to KUWAIT 2016-2020, approached QATAR UNIVERSITY (QU) for assistances to UG. Kuwait first Ambassador Dr. Mohamed Ali Odeen Ishmael was also NON-Resident Ambassador to Qatar. Amb. Ishmael left Kuwait in 2014 and DIED in Florida Jan 5, 2019. Dr Ishmael’s name was still in Qatar’s records thru August 11, 2020, when Dr. Shamir’s departure from Kuwait. Qatar sent 7 Note Verbales Reminders, to Guyana Embassy in Kuwait, with NO RESPONSES from Guyana Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Dr. Shamir was unable to proceed but does remain committed to assistance for UG from the GCC countries when the opportunity arises.
8 Donation of BOOKS to UG LIBRARY from Dr. Shamir Ally, USD $95,557:
On May 7, 2015, Dr. Shamir with UG’s 9th. Vice Chancellor Dr. Jacob Opadeyi, PhD., MBA, FRICS, declared the “Dr. Shamir Ally READING CORNER at University of GUYANA LIBRARY”, at our 8th, Donation presentation. 8 Donations starting in 2003, from Pennsylvania, USA, via New York, totaling 1,458 NEW USA Textbooks, CD-ROM’s & Videos, in the subjects of Accounting, Management, Economics, Project Management, Strategic Management, Leadership, Entrepreneurship, Business, Languages, and Health. Actively worked with Dr. Prem Misir, 7th VC Dr. James Rose, 8th. VC Professor Dr. Lawrence Carrington, 9th. VC Dr. Jacob Opadeyi, Dr. Marlene Cox, and Chief Librarian Mrs. Gwyneth George.
May 7, 2015, UG’s media press release from Chief Librarian Mrs. Gwyneth George said, “As the University celebrates its Golden Jubilee, the University wishes to thank one of the library’s most outstanding and consistent donors and friend of the Library, and a son of the soil who is dedicated to giving back to his country.” Among the many PRIVATE Corporate Donors to UG are the GAFOORS Group, BEHARRYS Group, and KISSOONS Group.
Dr. Shamir Ally, READING CORNER at UG Library from 2015.
Dr. Shamir Ally, books presentation to Professor Dr. Lawrence Deighton DeLacy Carrington 8th. Vice Chancellor & Principal at UG.
