FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Georgetown /Guyana/ University of Guyana/ February 24, 2024

UG’s Faculty of Earth and Environmental Sciences honours top achievers

VC says extremely delighted to see students achieving great things despite facing serious challenges

The University of Guyana’s Faculty of Earth and Environmental Sciences (FEES), currently ranked number 5 in the world, recently hosted its annual awards and prize giving ceremony which saw several of the Faculty’s top performers being recognised for their outstanding performances for the 2022/2023 Academic Year.

At a simple ceremony held at the University’s Education Lecture Theatre, Turkeyen Campus, Vice-Chancellor, Professor Paloma Mohamed Martin congratulated the awardees and said that she was “uplifted to see so many beautiful young people who are achieving great things, many of them doing so despite facing serious challenges.”

Speaking directly to the awardees, the VC said: “No matter what challenges you face personally, and we face as a university and as a country, always remember three things - 1. The challenge is as big as you make it; 2. You were not created to be weak, afraid, unable to survive; you are created beautifully, wonderfully and strong; and 3. These challenges are only momentary.”!image.png|thumbnail!

Vice-Chancellor Professor Paloma Mohamed Martin, (4th from right, front row), Dean of FEES Mrs Linda Johnson Bhola (on VC’s right) and other officials of the Faculty pose with the awardees for a photo op.

Professor Mohamed Martin also thanked the leadership of the Faculty and other administrative staff for the work they are doing and noted that it is also due to this level of commitment from many persons at the University that the students are able to achieve success.

Dean of FEES, Mrs. Linda Johnson-Bhola congratulated the awardees for their exemplary performances and wished them well in their future endeavours. “I am especially proud of your outstanding personal achievement in every area for which you are receiving an award/prize, having recognised the difficulties experienced during your studies. We all are aware that during the COVID-19 pandemic, you have received instruction under modalities to which you were unaccustomed…you did not quit; you persevered, being fully aware that there is light at the end of the tunnel.”

“In the case of continuing students, who are also receiving awards and prizes, congratulations too and continue to press on. I trust that today’s ceremony will be an inspiration as you proceed with your studies. You also have the opportunity to build upon what you have achieved so far,” Mrs. Johnson-Bhola added.

Assistant Dean, Mr. Esan Hamer also praised the awardees for their excellent performances and noted that they will serve as an inspiration to other students. He said that the Faculty is undertaking a number of new initiatives to ensure that students have a wonderful and rewarding experience at the University.

The event’s Keynote speaker, Ms. Germene Stewart, who serves as the Chief Development Planner at the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA) reminded the awardees of the critical role of the earth and environmental sciences in shaping the world around us.

Ms. Stewart, who is also an alum of UG said: “Our understanding of the eco-systems and the environment equips us with knowledge and insight as we navigate the 21st century. Whether your paths lead you to careers in environmental management or urban planning or any field of geographical studies, try to be ambassadors of geographical knowledge.”

“As we celebrate your achievements, let us reflect on the immense potential that lies within you. You stand on the cusp of a new chapter in your life, the skills you have honed are the building blocks of informed decision-making and social change,” she further encouraged.

Please see full list of awards below:

The Faculty of Earth & Environmental Sciences Award: for the best-graduating student who achieved an overall GPA of 2.7 and above - Nirvana Persaud (GPA 3.95)

The Leyann Brewster Memorial Award: for the Most Improved Geography Student, who has shown great improvement in his/her academic performance, having attained a minimum GPA of 3.0 during his/her studies in the Department of Geography, the Faculty of Earth and Environmental Sciences (FEES) - Jamacie Victorine (GPA 3.23)

The Deryck M. Bernard Memorial Award: for the Best Graduating BSc. Geography Student, who has obtained the highest Grade Point Average (GPA) in his/her studies in the Department of Geography, (FEES) - Nirvana Persaud (GPA 3.95)

The Deryck M. Bernard Memorial Award: for the Best Graduating Student of the MSc in Urban & Regional Planning Programme, who has obtained the highest Grade Point Average (GPA) in his/her studies in the Department of Geography, (FEES) - Dulcie Abraham (GPA 3.83)

Continuing Students’ Awards/Prizes

The Faculty of Earth & Environmental Sciences Prizes: for the best First, Second- and Third-Year students who achieved a GPA of 2.7 and above and who did not fail a course in the year of the award.

First Year - Ariel Yong (GPA 3.7)

Second Year – Sakinah Ghannie (GPA 3.9)

Third Year - Sarah Reid (GPA 4.0)

FEES’ Best Undergraduate Research Project - Nelson Shonnella (86.1%)

FEES’ Best Graduating MSc. Student - Dulcie Abraham (GPA 3.8)

FEES’ Best Graduating All-Round Student - Hema Persaud (GPA 3.5)

8 FEES Volunteer Awards for students from each year:

1st year: Rahul Chunga

1st year: Nazema Sattar

2nd year: Charldon Greaves

2nd year: Ruth Patterson

3rd year: Nishida Persaud

3rd Year: Jasmine Crawford

4th year: Nirvana Persaud

4th year: Gamaliel McGarrel

Please view the awards ceremony here:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AJjbB5ezSNU0AMZZs7RQRuoULreOuyyr/view?…

Visit the UG’s website to explore the programme offerings and application process: www.uog.edu.gy.

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 though 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 8 Faculties, including an accredited College of Medical Sciences, School for Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation and the School for 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 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 renewed focus on becoming the leading teaching and research University in Guyana. Visit UG at www.uog.edu.gy