Twenty-one-year-old Khadija Fyffe, one of the University of Guyana’s (UG) most active and well-rounded students, is among the 3600 students set to graduate in November when the institution hosts its series of convocation ceremonies. Khadija, who will leave her mark on the University through her involvement in numerous extracurricular activities and international engagements, will be graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics.
Known for her very bubbly personality and willingness to be of service to the university student community, Khadija expressed gratitude to the University for providing life-changing opportunities for her which noted will always be cherished as she moves to another chapter in her academic journey.
Khadija was more than just a student striving for good grades, she was a trailblazer in her own right. During her time at UG, in addition to being actively involved in sports, she served as Junior Vice-President of the University of Guyana Students’ Society (UGSS) and as a Faculty Representative for the Faculty of Social Sciences. She also volunteered with the Confucius Institute, where she began studying Mandarin in 2022 and went on to win first place in the local Chinese Bridge Competition. Additionally, she served as an intern with the UG’s Department of Events, Conferences and Communication (DECC) where she provided much needed support to the successful hosting of the university’s 2023 and 2024 Open Day and Job Fair.
Reflecting on her journey, Khadija expressed both relief and pride at completing her four-year programme, which began in 2021 after she graduated from The Bishops’ High School. “I feel so relieved. It has been a tough four years. Honestly, I really need a break,” she said with a sigh of relief. She explained that her decision to pursue economics stemmed from her passion for statistics, international trade, and development. “I loved economics because of how broad it is. I really liked the maths in economics at first. I was attracted to the use of statistics; it wasn’t as repetitive as accounting. I liked how every trend in society could be explained not only by numbers but also by theoretical evidence,” she said.
However, her four-year journey was not without challenges. Transitioning directly from high school to university during the COVID-19 pandemic, Khadija said she had to learn self-discipline and independence. She shared that there was a point in her journey when she experienced burnout and her grades began to drop, but she persevered with the support of her mother.
Khadija admitted that she also struggled at times with self-doubt and uncertainty about her chosen field. “I was having a bit of a conflict, questioning if I chose the right degree or if I really liked it. I’ve also found that I was dealing with some personal matters, like who I am as an individual. So, I would say that impacted me in a certain way, like finding myself, who I am as an adult,” she said.
Fortunately, with the help of the campus counsellor and support from her mother, she was able to overcome those struggles and regain focus. As she grew more confident, Khadija increased her involvement in campus life, running for UGSS presidency with the goal of strengthening the relationship between students and the University administration following the challenges of online learning.
Under the UGSS Council, Khadija and her team organised events such as karaoke nights, mystery hunts, and sanitary pad distributions. “I was so happy to be a part of that, seeing our University, our campus life, go from something that was not really buzzing at that time, to something that is lively. Students being on campus, playing games and these things. That was one of the things I wanted and now we have that happening,” she said.
Khadija reflected that her time at UG shaped her into the confident and mature young woman she is today. “It has made me more rounded, not only focusing on academics. Coming from secondary school, I always had this childish mentality. I would think that I am too small to do things. But I slowly realised that my age is not a factor in the things I can do or how mature I can be when it comes to having certain conversations. University definitely brought out that side in me. I am now ready to face the next chapter of my life,” she explained.
With her Bachelor’s Degree completed, Khadija now plans to pursue a Master’s in International Trade in China. Her goal is to further bridge the relationship between China and Guyana, particularly in trade, with hopes of being an effective contributor to her country’s development. She hopes to work with international organisations to help realise this vision. As she prepares to walk the graduation stage in November, she celebrates not only her academic success but also the growth, confidence, and purpose she has gained along the way.
The public is invited to celebrate with the University of Guyana at this year’s very special graduation events which will be streamed live on the University’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/uniofguyana and UG Broadcasting Service at https://broadcasting.uog.edu.gy/. The ceremonies will also be covered by local and international media.
The University of Guyana has produced upwards of 70,000 graduates in its 62-year existence – many of whom have gone on to serve at the highest levels in both the private and public sectors nationally and internationally. (Feature by the Department of Events of Events, Conferences and Communication (DECC), Office of the Vice-Chancellor, University of Guyana)
