UG sit-in suspended

Feb 13, 2012 News

…Unions to meet Vice-Chancellor today

The sit-in by University of Guyana (UG) staff, which started last week, disrupting classes, has been suspended for two days, commencing today.
However, further actions by staff and the future of the University hinge on the outcome of today’s meeting between the Vice-Chancellor (Ag), Dr. Marlene Cox, and representatives of the three Unions involved in “Operation Rescue UG”.
According to Dr. Mellissa Ifill, President, of University of Guyana Senior Staff Association (UGSSA), pressing issues such as Government’s control of the institution, meager remuneration for staff, deplorable condition of the campus and ill-equipped laboratories are on the agenda for today’s meeting.
Dr. Ifill related that she and another member of UGSSA, the Presidents and representatives of the University Guyana Workers’ Union and University of Guyana Student Society would be meeting Dr. Cox. This is the first time that all three Unions would be collaborating to achieve a common goal, she added.
Dr. Ifill, who is also a lecturer at the University, stated that the Unions would be outlining their demands in anticipation that swift and appropriate actions would be taken. She noted that everyone is concerned about the disruption of classes but indicated that the quality of education being delivered at Guyana’s highest learning institution needs enhancement.
The lecturer stressed that while resources are required to improve the delivery of education, students’ campus life in relation to social activities is dormant.
She stated that for too long the University has been criticized by the Private and Public Sectors but they need to recognize the limitations which lecturers, staff and students have to operate with. Dr. Ifill said that many studies were conducted on the University and the issues being raised are in those studies.
She noted that while the University does not object to Government’s input because it is a national institution, the administration’s control that is hovering over the body is being rejected by staff and students.
Dr. Ifill said that it is very unlikely that today’s meeting could provide a solution to that particular challenge. This is not the first time the University is facing political control by the ruling Administration.
Meanwhile, several issues affecting students directly, including the termination of Frederick Kissoon, who lectured Political courses, would be raised by representatives of the University of Guyana Student Society (UGSS).
UGSS President, Duane Edwards noted that Kissoon was dismissed before this semester began and though there were talks that a qualified lecturer would have replaced him, it is already three weeks into the semester and students are still waiting for the new lecturer.
He stressed that any reasonable person could see that the move to terminate Kissoon’s contract only benefited the self-interest of a few while the students are suffering.