Year: 2013

Newly-appointed principal sets out plan for UG’s advancement

TIMES INT'L

Newly-appointed University of Guyana (UG) Vice Chancellor Dr Jacob Opadeyi has revealed several plans aimed at revolutionising the present system and improving the quality of services to students at the university. Dr Opadeyi, a Nigerian national, who has aroused public ire for his announced tuition increase proposal, said the administration is in the process of rebranding the university to international standards. The vice chancellor stated that the upgrade would be based on the transformational process of three pillars – to improve the offerings, relations with the community and build strong…

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Power plays

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The “AFC gaze” Post-modernists speak of various ‘gazes’. They mean that certain groups with power are able to shape the views of various ‘others’, based on their own (obviously subjective) perspective. So we have the ‘imperial gaze’ of the British defining us as ‘ugly natives’ who are incapable of accomplishing anything. One of the AFC main advisors (and close friend of its leader Ramjattan) Freddie Kissoon is one of those ‘natives’ who’s accepted that description of himself. He projects that onto other Guyanese who, he accuses of never measuring up…

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Businessman and wife in ganja bust remanded

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A businessman and his reputed wife were remanded to prison on Tuesday when they appeared before acting Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry for the marijuana found in the trunks of Madza RX8 cars last week. 41-year-old Kurt Brown and 34-year-old Rushelle Gordon of Lot 45 Norton Street, Lodge, Georgetown, both pleaded not guilty to the possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking charge. The charge alleged that on March 9 at the above address, they were in possession of 158 pounds of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking. Superintendent of…

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Woman to give birth while serving prison term in Guyana

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A pregnant woman who was arrested for attempting to take ganja into the New Amsterdam Prison in Guyana, has been sentenced for one year behind bars by Magistrate Adela Nagamootoo. Venan McDonald of Angoys Avenue had in January pleaded guilty at the Sisters Magistrate’s Court to a charge of taking narcotics to the prison, but was to be sentenced on February 7. She was attempting to take 13.9 grams of cannabis into the prison. In February, she complained of having a tummy ache and the sentencing was postponed. The woman…

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Man jailed for 70 years, brother freed for 2009 Mon Repos murder

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It was an atmosphere of mixed emotions among family members of the Rampersaud brothers in court last Thursday, as one of them was freed while the other was sentenced to years for the murder of a man at Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara back in 2008. Brothers, Lloyd “Lloydee” and Roy “Roy Patrick” or “Royee” Rampersaud were indicted with the murder of 41-year-old Munilall Mangru called “Boy” between February 22 and 24, 2009 at the Mon Repos/Triumph Bridge, East Coast Demerara. Mangru, called “Boyo” of Lot 134 Mon Repos, was…

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Marriott contractor eyes August 2014 for hotel opening

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Managers of the rapidly rising Georgetown Marriott at Kingston told President Donald Ramotar on Wednesday that they are aiming to complete the structure of the hotel by April month-end and the project would be ready for commissioning by August 2014. President Ramotar was amazed at the rate of progress of construction since his last site visit three months ago, the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported. The president toured the 10-storey facility in the company of Chinese Ambassador to Guyana, Zhang Limin; Shanghai Construction Group (SCG) officials and their local counterparts,…

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It seems like UG will see some positive changes under the new vice chancellor

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Dear Editor, Maybe an education revolution is about to take place, according to the University of Guyana (UG) vice chancellor. Earning a post-secondary degree or credential is no longer just a pathway to opportunity for the talented few. Rather, it is a prerequisite for the growing jobs of the new world order. In recent years, employment in jobs requiring education beyond a high school diploma has grown, and this is ever increasing. All of the fastest growing occupations require post secondary education. With the average earnings of college graduates at…

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Men and women are equal beings

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Dear Editor, The chair of the Women and Gender Equality Commission believes that men should be included in national discussions in order to bring an end to violence against women. I do agree, but this is easier said than done. Men are conditioned into a superior mode and to correct this fallacy is really a Herculean task. Even as Guyana joined the rest of the world in observing International Women’s Day, it is time for action to end violence against women. However, my concern is that of the mindset –…

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Guyanese in the diaspora are concerned about police brutality

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Dear Editor, For the past 15 years, I have been visiting Guyana on a regular basis and have always enjoyed the beautiful weather, the delicious food, the numerous fruits and the warm reception of the Guyanese people. I am quite proud of the country having six races with their diverse cultures and how they normally live in harmony. While visits to countries in the south are very relaxing, after experiencing cold weather in North America, nothing beats heading home and spending several weeks with relatives and friends – something I…

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Tullow Oil looking for new exploration opportunities in Guyana

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London-based oil and gas exploration company, Tullow Oil has signalled its continued interest in Guyana’s offshore even amid a decision not to continue the pursuit under the joint venture Georgetown licence. South America Business and Exploration Manager John McKenna on Tuesday apprised President Donald Ramotar of the company’s new intentions during talks attended by Natural Resources and the Environment Minister Robert Persaud and British High Commissioner to Guyana Andrew Ayre. Tullow Oil’s endeavours in Guyana have the backing of the British government, Commissioner Ayre said in an invited comment to…

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