The main opposition, the People’s National Congress Islahat (PNCR), pilloried the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Government’s effort to take control of the University of Guyana Council.
According to the June 27th 2024 Official Gazette the Minister of Education can now appoint (i) six persons, up from the three, who in the minister’s opinion, can contribute significantly to the University in the field of medicine, law, ICT, and other fields; and (ii) five persons, up from four from non-governmental organisations. The new composition gives the Government over 50 percent control of the 32-members Council, which is the decision-making body of the university. Its role and importance are now in jeopardy.
The PNCR warned under this new configuration the role and importance of the Council is now in jeopardy. Outlining the gravity of the situation, PNCR said the PPP will now have control over such matters as the appointments of the Vice-Chancellor, Deputy Vice Chancellors and academic staff, as well as over the planning, budget and financial expenditure of the university.
The PNCR sees the change in number not only as an attempt to undermine the independence of Guyana’s only state-owned university but also opportunity to place political hacks on the Council.
According to the Party under the new arrangement the “Federation of Independent Trade Unions in Guyana (FITUG), a known PPP affiliated entity, is now entitled to name a representative. Similarly, Christian, Muslim and Hindu organisations can now each make a nomination to the council.”
See full statement below:
PNCR CONDEMNS THE PPP’S RECENT NAKED ACTS TO HIJACK THE UG COUNCIL
Guyanese must condemn the recent blatant moves by the Government of Guyana, through the Ministry of Education, to grab control of the Council of the University of Guyana, the highest governing body of the university. The PNCR pledges here and now that, as the next government, we will reverse or neutralize these and all other measures that subvert the administrative and academic independence of the university.
The measures in question involve changes to the composition of the University Council, where the PPP and its allies will now have a majority on the council by increasing their nominees and appointees by eight and reducing the number of nominees by the Chancellor of the University from six to four.
As spelt out in the Official Gazette of 27th June 2024, the Minister of Education can now appoint (i) SIX persons, instead of the previous THREE who, in the Minister’s opinion, can contribute significantly to the University in the field of medicine, law, ICT, and other fields; and (ii) FIVE persons, instead of the previous FOUR, from non-governmental organizations.
In addition, the Federation of Independent Trade Unions in Guyana (FITUG), a known PPP affiliated entity, is now entitled to name a representative. Similarly, Christian, Muslim and Hindu organisations can now each make a nomination to the council. As Guyanese know from repeated experiences, the PPP manipulates these organisations to ensure the selection of political acolytes and yes-men. All told, along with the FOURTEEN persons the Minister of Education and the PPP party can directly handpick, the PPP now commands over 50% of the votes on the 32-person UG Council.
As a result, the PPP government, through this expanded UG Council, will now have full control over such matters as the appointments of the Vice-Chancellor, Deputy Vice Chancellors and academic staff, as well as over the planning, budget and financial expenditure of the university. Given the PPP’s known incompetence, arrogance, and vindictiveness, the university now faces a crisis. Its role and importance are now in jeopardy.
As we stated earlier, a PNCR government will reverse the impact of these amendments—and we will do so within the first few months in office. For us, the university must remain an independent body. As part of the next government, we will transform the University of Guyana to be one of the best centers of knowledge in the region. We will thus substantially increase funding to the university with a focus on promoting applied research and teaching and on enhancing physical assets and other critical elements of faculty and student life. Staff must be paid competitive wages, and we should strive to attract the best talent from across the globe.
In our vision, the University of Guyana can and will be the beating heart of knowledge creation and knowledge application in Guyana. We see our academic community as a key catalyst of social and economic advancement. To this end, the next coalition government will engage the university administration in discussions on reshaping its role and increasing its impact. UG, for instance, will be one of our main go-to institutions for research to inform our policymaking, to conduct situation analyses, and to measure progress, outcomes and impacts. In addition, we will invite the university to serve on as many State Boards and commissions as possible. This is part of our CONTRACT with the University of Guyana and the people of Guyana.
Meanwhile, let us all resist this new naked act of aggression against the university by the PPP. 7th July 2024