UG’s Faculty of Education and Humanities Honours Outstanding Performers for 2023

The University of Guyana's Faculty of Education and Humanities (FEH) recently hosted its Annual Awards and Prize-giving Ceremony to honour outstanding performers across various fields within the faculty. The event which was held at the University's George Walcott Lecture Theatre (GWLT), Turkeyen Campus, saw over 100 students who have secured a GPA of 3.7 and above earning a place on the prestigious Dean’s Honour Roll.

UG’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Paloma Mohamed Martin, delivered an inspiring message, urging students to continue striving to achieve greatness in everything they set out to do. "I just wanted to say to you that while you are where you are now, you are to aspire always to the highest of heights, and I know you're doing it already."

Several staff members of the faculty who acquired their Doctoral degrees between 2020 and 2024 were also recognised for their exemplary work. The VC emphasised the significance of these achievements, not only in elevating UG's global ranking but also in enhancing the quality of education provided to all Guyanese. “To be ranked higher on the international scale of education has to do with the number of people in your faculty who have appropriate terminal degrees. And so just having this many more added to the faculty, will increase UG’s world ranking, its delivery to students and its commitment to quality education to all Guyanese,” Professor Mohamed Martin added.

Among those faculty members being applauded for the successful completion of their doctoral degrees are: Dr Estherine Adams, Dr. Claudette Austin, Dr. Romona Bennett, Dr.Tamashwar Budhoo, Dr. Carolyn Cummings, Dr. Nequesha Dalrymple, Dr. Volda Elliott, Dr. Yassanne Garraway-Lashley, Dr. Adrian Gomes, Dr. Winifred James Kippins, Dr. Lidon Lashley, Dr. André Lewis, Dr. Kara Lord, Dr. Mark McGowan, Dr. Gentian Miller, Dr. Penelope Monfort, Dr Jeremy Peretz, and Dr. Pamela Rose.

Dean of the Faculty of Education and Humanities, Dr Roslin Khan, in delivering the charge to the students who have earned a spot on the Dean’s Honour Roll, said that the students have shown that they have the determination and drive to achieve academic excellence, many of them doing so despite facing significant challenges.

More than 20 graduating and continuing students from the 2022/2023 academic year received awards across various categories, showcasing their dedication and talent. These accolades, ranging from The Vice-Chancellor’s Special Award to the Denise Jourdain Award, symbolise not only academic excellence but also the spirit of determination and resilience.

Deputy Chief Education Officer at the Ministry of Education, Mr. Martin DeSouza, in delivering remarks, emphasised the importance of commitment and community engagement. He encouraged awardees to seize every opportunity for growth and education, regardless of their circumstances, highlighting the transformative power of knowledge.

Meanwhile, speaking on behalf of the undergraduates inducted into the Dean’s Honour Roll, Ms Nazima Raghubir urged her colleagues to utilise their time spent at UG wisely and to do all that they can to inspire positive change in their communities and country as a whole. She further urged all students to rally around UG and show their support for its continued advancement as the nation’s premier tertiary institution.

Similarly, Mr. Raynell Gordon, representing the postgraduate inductees, thanked the lecturers for their dedication and encouraged awardees to become agents of change, committed to improving the lives of those around them.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Paloma Mohamed Martin (first, right, standing) along with FEH staff  and students at the Awards and Prize-giving ceremony.

Please see the full list of awards for Academic Year 2022/23 below:

Humanities Programmes

Trichell Williams: The Vice-Chancellor Special Award: for the best graduating student other than the winner of the President’s Medal or the Chancellor’s Medal in the Faculty of Education and Humanities.

Renee James: The Joyce Alder Literature Prize: for the best graduating student in Literature

Trichell Williams: The Lilian Dewar Prize: for the best-graduating student in the Department of Language & Cultural Studies – English programme:

Nalissa Mathoo: The Denise Jourdain Award: for the best graduating student in the Bachelor of Youth and Community Development program.

Education Programmes

Jaime Koulasar:  The Vice-Chancellor’s Special Award: for the best graduating student (other than the winner of the President’s or the Chancellor‘s Medal) in the Faculty of Education and Humanities

The Guyana Teachers’ Union Awards:

for the Best Graduating Student in the Bachelor of Education:

Jaime Koulasar: Best Graduating Student in the Bachelor of Education (Mathematics)

Wenola Liverpool: Best Graduating Student in the Bachelor of Education (Home Economics)

Raynell Gordon: Best Graduating Student in the Post-Graduate Diploma in Education

Ornetta Waldron: Best Runner-up Graduating Student in the Post-Graduate Diploma in Education

Two Education Prizes:

Anoushka Ramnarine: Best Graduating Student in the Practice of Education in the Post-Graduate Diploma in Education Programme.

Tayana Thom-Fernandes: Best Runner-up Graduating Student in the Practice of Education in the Post-Graduate Diploma in Education Programme.

CONTINUING STUDENTS

Humanities Programmes

University of Guyana Awards: Students in the Humanities programmes, who have obtained a GPA of not less than 2.7

First Year:

· Christina Edwards

Second Year:

· Tahirih Gerrard

· Raymond Yusuf

Third Year:

· Kavita Persaud

· Tamari Bowen

Education Programmes

University of Guyana Awards:

Outstanding performance at the Annual University Examinations. This was awarded to two students per Programme Year in the Faculty of Education and Humanities - Education Programmes:

First Year:

· Surojinie Netram

· Esther Farier

Second Year:

· Vinicia Khan

· Daniela Gibbs

The Department of History Prize:

Somawattie Mahadeo: Best First Year student majoring in History.

The Eusi Kwayana Award

For two first year Bachelor of Education students, who are proceeding to the second year of the programme, having completed year one in the normal period of time, with a GPA of not less than 3.0 and with no failed grades.

·  Surojinie Netram

·  Esther Farier

Additionally, several staff members who received promotions were honoured, these include:

Charmine Lewis, Stefani Parris, Vashti Racktoo – promoted to secretary

Amrita Narine promoted to Personal Assistant to the Dean

Lecturers promoted to Senior Lecturer (between 2020 to 2024) included: Dr Tamirnd Nnena De Lisser: Dr Lidon Lashley, Dr Michelle Semple McBean, Dr Mark Tumbridge

The University of Guyana in Brief

The University of Guyana, the national University of Guyana, now in its 60th year, was founded in October 1963, three years before Guyana became independent. “UG”, as it is fondly referred to, offers over 160 distinct programmes in over 60 disciplines, from certificates, 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 Guyana-based system across eight campuses. This includes its 35-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 11,000.

Through its eight (8) Faculties, including an accredited College of Medical Sciences, School for Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation and the Faculty of Earth and Environmental Sciences which is ranked # 5 globally. “UG” has provided education, training and research for over 60,000 alumni over its 60-year history with significant national and global impact. Other 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 ten (10) Research Institutes including the internationally important Centre for Biodiversity, the Institute for Food and Nutrition Security, the Institute for Innovation, Research 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 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