Sherwin Nicholson, a young teacher at the Berbice Educational Institute (BEI), has been named the University of Guyana Berbice Campus’ (UGBC) Best Graduating Student for the academic year 2023/24. Sherwin, 34, along with several other graduates who have won special awards and prizes, will be formally recognised for their exceptional performances when UGBC hosts its 23rd Convocation exercise later today (November 16, 2024) at the Tain Campus.
A resident of Glasgow Housing Scheme, East Bank Berbice, Sherwin successfully completed the requirements for a Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary Education with a concentration in Mathematics, achieving a perfect GPA of 4.0 to win the coveted best graduating student prize.
However, like many other graduates, Sherwin’s success did not come easily. He faced several challenges along the way. When he sat for his first CSEC Mathematics exam, he never imagined that he would fail. The harsh reality of scoring below expectations was a tough blow, especially for a young man whose parents had made significant sacrifices for their children’s education.
After failing Mathematics in his first sitting of the CSEC exams, Sherwin encountered a major setback. However, rather than allowing this failure to define him, he saw it as an opportunity for growth. “While this was initially a setback, it served as a turning point in my life. Instead of seeing it as a failure, I viewed it as an opportunity to learn, reflect, and push myself harder,” he explained.
Determined to prove himself, he retook the exam, ultimately achieving better results. “What matters most is not how many times we fall, but how we rise and continue moving forward,” he said with pride.
Sherwin’s passion for teaching and his desire to make a difference in the lives of students led him to pursue tertiary education at UGBC. For him, the campus offered the perfect blend of accessibility and quality. “The campus’s proximity was an invaluable factor, allowing me to better manage my personal and professional commitments. This was especially important as I navigated the responsibilities of being newly married,” he said.
The young teacher noted that balancing online lectures, assessments, teaching responsibilities, and the new role of being married required meticulous time management and strong support systems. He explained that there were moments when the weight of these commitments felt overwhelming. “There were definitely moments when I felt like giving up, especially when the pressure of preparing lessons, grading students’ assessments, studying for exams, or completing my own assignments and attending online lectures became intense,” he shared.
In those tough moments, Sherwin drew strength from the people around him. “The thought of my long-term goals served as a powerful motivator. Additionally, the continuous support from my wife, family, and friends provided a steady foundation that kept me grounded,” he said.
“Being recognised as the best graduating student from the Berbice Campus is an overwhelming and humbling experience. It fills me with an immense sense of pride, not only for the personal accomplishment but also for the recognition of the hard work, sacrifices, and dedication that have gone into this journey. For my family, it symbolises the realisation of a shared dream and the belief that sacrifices, hard work, and perseverance can yield extraordinary results,” he added with gratitude.
Sherwin offered special thanks to all those who supported him along his academic journey, including his family, friends, colleagues, and the faculty and staff of UGBC.
A number of other students from the University of Guyana’s Berbice Campus will also be receiving awards for their exceptional performances at the graduation ceremony later today.
Please see the full list of awardees below:
OPEN PRIZES
- The award for the Second Best Graduating Student – for the student who has completed a Bachelor’s Degree with the second highest GPA: Ashmini Prashad
- The award for the Best Graduating Student – in the Diploma/Certificate/Associate Degree programmes, who has attained the highest GPA: Yadram Totaram
- The Director, UGBC Award for the Best graduating student with a Bachelor’s Degree who has attained at least a Pass with Credit and has made the greatest contribution in other areas of University activities: Manisha Sagadaya
DIVISIONAL PRIZES
Agriculture
- The award for the Best Graduating Student in the Bachelor of Science (Agriculture), other than the Best and Second-Best Bachelor’s Degree Graduating Students, who has attained the highest GPA: Roschelle Ann Maria Campbell
Education & Humanities
- The award for the Best Graduating student in the Bachelor of Education Secondary – Agriculture, other than the Best and Second-Best Bachelor’s Degree Graduating Students, who has attained the highest GPA: Tinesha Onika Carmichael
- The award for the Best Graduating student in the Bachelor of Education – Early Childhood Education, other than the Best and Second-Best Bachelor’s Degree Graduating Students, who has attained the highest GPA: Savitri Devi Balram
- The award for the Best Graduating student in the Bachelor of Education (Primary), other than the Best and Second-Best Bachelor’s Degree Graduating Students, who has attained the highest GPA: Devishwar Bahadur
- The award for the Best Graduating student in the Bachelor of Education Secondary-(Social Studies), other than the Best and Second-Best Bachelor’s Degree Graduating Students, who has attained the highest GPA: Denisha Andrea Simone Jack
- The award for the Best Graduating student in the Bachelor of Education Secondary-(English), other than the Best and Second-Best Bachelor’s Degree Graduating Students, who has attained the highest GPA: Andrea Ramnauth
- The award for the Best Graduating student in the Bachelor of Education Secondary (Mathematics Concentration), other than the Best and Second-Best Bachelor’s Degree Graduating Students, who has attained the highest GPA: Pitamber Persaud
- The award for the Best Graduating student in the Bachelor of Education Secondary (Science Education), other than the Best and Second-Best Bachelor’s Degree Graduating Students, who has attained the highest GPA: Nyanza Hadra Moses-Peters
- The award for the Best Graduating student in the Bachelor of Education (Administration), other than the Best and Second-Best Bachelor’s Degree Graduating Students, who has attained the highest GPA: Kamla Boodhoo
Natural Sciences
- The award for the Best Graduating student in the Bachelor of Science (Biology), other than the Best and Second-Best Graduating Bachelor’s degree Students, who has attained the highest GPA: Nicholas Sagadaya
- The award for the Best Graduating student in the Associate of Science (Biology), other than the best graduating student in the Diploma/Certificate/Associate Degree programmes, who has attained the highest GPA: Alex Loy
- The award for the Best Graduating Student in the Associate of Science (Computer Science), other than the best graduating student in the Diploma/Certificate/Associate Degree programmes, who has attained the highest GPA: Morisha Devi Rabindranauth
- The award for the Best Graduating student in the Associate of Science (Physics), other than the best graduating student in the Diploma/Certificate/Associate Degree programmes, who has attained the highest GPA: David Junior Budhram
College of Medical Sciences
- The award for the Best Graduating Student in the Bachelor of Science (Nursing), other than the Best and Second-Best Bachelor’s degree Graduating students, who has attained the highest GPA: Veronica Sawh
Social Sciences
- The award for Best Graduating Student in the Bachelor of Social Science (Public Management), other than the Best and Second-Best Graduating Bachelor’s degree Students, who has attained the highest GPA: Keon Shelroy Schwiers
- The award for the best graduating student in the Bachelor of Social Science (Social Work), other than the Best and Second-Best Graduating Bachelor’s degree Students, who has attained the highest GPA: Moneesa Balgobin
- The award for the Best Graduating Student in the Diploma in Public Management, other than the best graduating student in the Diploma/Certificate/Associate Degree programmes, who has attained the highest GPA: Keisha Kerri Alexander
- The award for the Best Graduating Student in the Associate of Social Science (Social Work), other than the best graduating student in the Diploma/Certificate/Associate Degree programmes, who has attained the highest GPA: Sanjay Chandardeo
Entrepreneurship & Business Innovation
- The award for Best Graduating Student in the Bachelor of Science (Management), other than the Best and Second-Best Graduating Bachelor’s degree Students, who has attained the highest GPA: Manisha Sagadaya
- The award for the Best Graduating student in the Diploma in Accountancy, other than the best graduating student in the Diploma/Certificate/Associate Degree programmes, who has attained the highest GPA: Mallisa Singh
- The award for the Best Graduating Student in the Diploma in Marketing, other than the best graduating student in the Diploma/Certificate/Associate Degree programmes, who has attained the highest GPA: Tylena Premsook
UG in Brief
The University of Guyana, the national University of Guyana, now in its 61st year, was founded in October 1963, three years before Guyana became independent. “UG” as it is fondly referred to offers over 171 distinct programmes in over 70 disciplines from Certificates, Diplomas, associate degrees, bachelor’s Degrees, Master’s Degrees to Ph.D.’s. These programmes are offered online, face-to-face or in blended formats. UG delivers through a system of eight campuses. This includes its 37-year-old community-based Institute for Distance and Continuing Education (IDCE) and the second major campus at Tain in Berbice celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2025. The University of Guyana’s student population is over 11,500.
Through its 8 academic divisions and 10 Research Institutes and Centers, including an accredited College of Medical Sciences, School of Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation and the Faculty of Earth and Environmental Sciences which has been ranked # 5 globally, “UG” has provided education, training and research for over 64,000 alumni over its 61-year history with significant national and global impact. Key faculties include the Faculty of Engineering and Technology, the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, the Faculty of Natural Sciences, the College of Behavioural Sciences and Research, the Faculty of Education and Humanities and the Faculty of Social Sciences.
The University is also home to 10 Research Institutes including the recently launched Institute for Marine and Riverine Ecologies and Economies (IMAREE), the internationally important Centre for Biodiversity, the Institute for Food and Nutrition Security, the Institute for Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, the Institute for Energy Diplomacy, the Green Institute, the Institute for Human Resiliency, Strategic Security and the Future, and the International Centre for Excellence in Early Childhood Education.
The mission of the University of Guyana is to discover, generate, disseminate and apply knowledge of the highest standard for the advancement of communities, the nation, and mankind within an atmosphere of academic freedom, transparent accountability, pragmatic innovation and universal respect.
UG’s forward-thinking Blueprint 2040 is currently setting the course for the University’s future design and institutional response to the changing needs of Guyana, the region and the world. UG is currently celebrating its 60th anniversary with a renewed focus on becoming the leading teaching and research University in Guyana. Visit UG at www.uog.edu.gy. (University of Guyana Release)
