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UG Press Release - Reunion Gold Corporation Awards 10 budding Geologists from UG – In Honour of Corporation's Board Member Marian Moroney

Tuesday, November 8, 2022 - 14:08

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

University of Guyana / Greater Georgetown / Guyana / Tuesday, November 8, 2022

Reunion Gold Corporation Awards 10 budding Geologists from UG – In Honour of Corporation's Board Member Marian Moroney

Ten geology students from the University of Guyana’s Faculty of Engineering and Technology were recently awarded one-year scholarships which will allow them to continue their studies at the University of Guyana. 

The scholarship funds which will benefit students from years 2 to 4, were handed over by officials from the Reunion Gold Corporation in the office of the University of Guyana’s Vice-Chancellor during a simple but significant ceremony at the Turkeyen Campus.  The scholarships are being offered in honour of Reunion Gold Corporation's Board Member, Ms. Marian Moroney. 

University of Guyana’s Vice-Chancellor, XI, Prof. Paloma Mohamed Martin expressed her sincere appreciation to the company for the generous support to the students. The VC underlined the significant contributions made by Ms. Moroney, noting that she would be proud of the initiative.  She also expressed special thanks to Mr. David A. Fennel, Chairman of Reunion Gold Corporation for being the key impetus behind the awards. 

According to the VC, the awardees of the scholarships, even though very deserving, should consider themselves fortunate “because this is not a scholarship that is given to any and every student, there were some stipulations, students had to be of very high sterling quality of 3.6 and above grade point average (GPA).”

Additionally, Prof. Mohamed Martin noted, Ms. Moroney will be pleased to see female geology students being well represented in the selection process. “As I looked through the profiles, I saw quite a few young ladies; and I was so glad to see that as this field is mostly dominated by men. I am also happy to see the young men as we do not want our young men to fall behind, but we want you to be equal,” the Vice-Chancellor expressed.

Managing Director of VNK Logistics, the company that provides logistical services to Reunion Gold Corporation, Ms. Glenis Beaton noted that Reunion Gold is always willing to give back to society. 

Vice-President of Reunion Gold Corporation, Justin Vandertorn highlighted that the Corporation is very keen to support the geology industry in Guyana. Mr. Vandertorn said: “Getting good geologists in our industry is what we do well because we like to do events like this, and we like to support the University. We like to support students and we want people to understand what they are getting into when they come into an exploration career because an exploration career can be very rewarding.” 

Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Ms. Verlyn Klass explained that the students were selected from the 2nd, 3rd and 4th years of her Faculty. She said: “We allowed all of our students to know of the offer and we encouraged them to apply. We looked at their GPA and we would have awarded those with the highest GPAs.”

“I, therefore, extend my congratulations to all of them for getting these scholarship awards. I understand someone shouted when they got the call, so, I know they are all grateful and we are very grateful to Reunion Gold for this offer,” Dean Klass added. 

Industrial Intern Officer, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Mr. Anil James also expressed thanks to Reunion Gold Corporation for providing the scholarships to the students.  

Responding on behalf of the students, one beneficiary, Garvin Douglas said: "I was very excited when I received the call because honestly, I would have never expected to get an opportunity like this; it is quite spectacular because it inspires me, and I am sure it inspires other persons here to push until the end.”

The students who were awarded the scholarships are: Claire Ceres, Chantel Setal, Sherri Ann Welcome, Fonda Major, Luanna Boodie, Shyon Niles, Hendricks Fernandes, Talissa Rawlins, Garvin Douglas, and Judiah Jomaine.

Also present at the ceremony were the Assistant Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Mr. Basheer Khan and other University officials.

To view the ceremony kindly click here: https://youtu.be/Xp52Oi9FsUs 

To view the photographs kindly click here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Ivt-K96BHxG7mgQjV0ZIwB2UtOuK51ky?usp=sharing

 

Vice-Chancellor, XI, Prof. Paloma Mohamed Martin

 

Managing Director of VNK Logistics, Glenis Beaton

 

Exploration Vice-President of Reunion Gold, Justin Vandertorn

 

Dean of UG’s Faculty of Engineering and Technology Verlyn Klass

 

Faculty of Engineering and Technology Industrial Intern Officer, Anil James

 

Garvin Douglas, student

 

Ten University of Guyana, Faculty of Engineering and Technology Geology Students receive scholarships from Reunion Gold Corporation

 

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UG IN BRIEF

The University of Guyana, now in its 59th year, was founded in October 1963. “UG” as it is fondly referred to offers 150 programmes in over 60 disciplines in online, face-to-face or blended formats. UG delivers in a Guyana-based system across eight campuses. It is the largest, oldest, most advanced and only state University in Guyana with a student population of over 10,000. “UG” has provided education, training and research for over 50,000 alumni over its 59-year history. UG’s national and global impact and footprint are significant. Its graduates have risen to populate the commanding heights of national, regional and international organisations of repute in over 150 different disciplines. The mission of the University is to discover, generate, disseminate and apply knowledge of the highest standard for the service of the community, the nation, and all mankind within an atmosphere of academic freedom, 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 will celebrate its 60th anniversary in 2023 and is stepping up its focus on becoming one of the leading and most sought-after educational institutions in the world for both staff and students.

Contact:     

Ms. Krest Cummings

Public Relations Officer

Department of Events Conferences and Communications (DECC)

592-623-5104