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Walking the University of Guyana’s graduation stage is a very humbling, rewarding and extremely special experience for many graduates. This is even more special when you are the first in your family to graduate from a university. This special group of first-time graduates featured below are among over three thousand – the largest in the sixty-year history of the University – who graduated when the country’s premier tertiary educational institution hosted its 57th Convocation Ceremonies from November 9 to 11, 2023 at the National Cultural Centre in Georgetown. The ceremony for the UG Berbice Campus will be held on November 18, 2023 at the University Lawns, Tain Settlement.
Delon Northe, a resident of New Amsterdam, graduated with a Diploma in Public Management. He is the first in this family to acquire a university education. “I am overwhelmed with gratitude, I am now able to further develop myself and better serve my country,” he said.
Northe explained that his academic journey was not always a smooth ride as he was forced to cope with many challenges along the way. “I faced many challenging times, but I endured. This is quite an accomplishment and I am grateful for all the support I received from my family, friends, lectures and many others who have contributed to my success,” he said.
Northe explained that he is passionate about continuing his studies and is now in his third year pursuing a Bachelor of Social Science in Public Management.
Keyola McQueen, Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science
Keyola McQueen was conferred with the Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science on November 10, 2023. She aspires to become a pathologist. She was among the batch of students who began the programme the year before the COVID-19 pandemic struck and noted the great challenge of seeing her class size minimize because others could not handle the pressures of the pandemic, regular life and university studies all at once. However, she explained that what kept her going was the encouragement of her mother, a single parent and supportive lecturers.
The first in her family to graduate from university, McQueen said the loss of her grandmother due to a rare form of cancer a few years ago was tough for her to deal with, but helped her in the decision she made to go after a career in pathology as she initially wanted to do Medicine. “Now that I have my degree, I can explore all the options before me to further develop myself”.
Abdul Subhan, Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering
Abdul Subhan, who hails from Bushlot, West Coast Berbice, graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. He said: “Being the first in my family to graduate from the University of Guyana is a wonderful accomplishment. I was given the opportunity that my parents didn’t get and I am very grateful. It’s an honour to set a standard for future generations in my family, and I hope to inspire them to pursue their educational goals and strive for success.”
The 21-year-old pledged that he will use the knowledge and new qualification gained to make a positive difference in his family and community.
He added that in addition to being thankful to his family and friends, he is also very grateful to UG, as the institution has not only provided him with a strong academic foundation but has also instilled in him “good qualities of resilience, adaptability, and a commitment to lifelong learning.”
According to Subhan, there is a misconception that “campus life at UG is solely focused on academics, but in reality, it offers a vibrant and diverse community with opportunities for social engagement, networking and extracurricular activities.”
Trevor Thomas, Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy
Trevor Thomas, who hails from Kamarang, Upper Mazaruni, in Region 7 graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy on Friday, November 10, 2023.
The 36-year-old who is the first in his family to graduate from a university recalled that he always wanted to excel in his academic endeavours for he was sure, that it is only by acquiring a good education, he will be able to achieve his career dreams.
Thomas, a proud father of two, started his academic journey at UG in 2018. He explained that the road to academic success was not always easy, but with the support of many persons, including his family, friends and lecturers, he was able to successfully complete his studies in spite of all the odds he faced.
Thomas is currently undertaking a Pharmacy Internship at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) and is expected to be granted his licence to practice upon completion of his attachment. “Becoming qualified in this field is what I’ve always wanted, I am now better able to work and develop myself,” he said.
Miles J. Munroe, Bachelor in Business Management
Miles J. Munroe, 25, graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management on Friday, November 10, 2023. Munroe is the eldest of four siblings and the father of one daughter.
The first-time graduate in his family explained that his academic journey at UG taught him how to persevere in spite of facing severe obstacles. “As I entered my last year, I became a father, which was a joyous experience and it really increased my drive to succeed. I had planned to take a year off, but my young child gave me the motivation and fortitude to finish my journey in order to make her proud.”
Munroe who serves as a legal clerk at the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) said that he intends to keep on furthering his studies so that he will be the best he can be in his professional career.
Nickeshia Sampson graduated with a Bachelor of Social Science in Public Management on Saturday, November 11, 2023. The 28-year-old mother of one who is currently a staff of the University of Guyana said that her biggest motivation was her desire to qualify herself so that she would be able to excel at her career. She recalled that her academic journey at UG was very tough as she was forced to grapple with work and studying at the same time. However, she added that she took advantage of every opportunity that came her way to develop herself.
“My experience at the University has shaped the way I communicate with those at different academic and professional levels. Additionally, I can now sit in a room filled with persons of all walks of life and know that I deserve to be there and have an opinion. My degree enhanced my self-confidence academically,” she said.
Sampson added: “As a student, I battled with self-confidence in the beginning, when I wrote an essay or term paper I was scared that it wouldn’t be enough. Now I have the confidence that I can be anything I want to be. I will use the exposure at UG and try my best to make a positive difference in my workplace and my country as a whole.”
This year’s Convocation ceremonies also saw several new academic programmes producing graduates for the first time, these include; Bachelor of Science in Food Science (Faculty of Natural Sciences) Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Engineering (Faculty of Engineering and Technology); Masters in Communication (Faculty of Social Sciences); Master of Education in Early Childhood Development (Faculty of Education and Humanities); and Masters in Strategic Development Studies which has already won the 2023 Perry US Centre Award for Excellence in Security Studies (Institute for Human Resilience, Strategic Security, and The Future), among others..
The University also conferred Honorary Doctoral Degrees on some outstanding Guyanese in various areas of expertise; these include; Baroness Dr Valerie Amos, world-renowned award-winning actress Dr. CCH Pounder, Guyana-based visual artist Dr Bernadette Persaud, flautist and folklorist, Dr. Keith Waite, renowned Caribbean linguist duo; Dr Jeanette and the late Dr Richard Allsopp, internationally-acclaimed Karateka Shotokan Dr Frank Woon-A-Tai, international shipping magnate and UG alumnus, Dr Kenneth Singh and manufacturing and construction tzar and philanthropist, Dr Abdool Sattaur Gafoor. Veteran sports commentator Joseph “Reds” Perreira and legendary Test Cricketer Rohan Kanhai will also be conferred soon.
This year’s Convocation Ceremonies are extremely special as the University is proudly celebrating its Sixtieth Anniversary under the theme “Consistently We Rise, Changing the World in Infinite Ways”. (Feature by the Department of Events, Conferences and Communication (DECC), Office of the Vice-Chancellor.