Latest update April 19th, 2024 12:59 AM
Jul 02, 2012 News
Education Minister Priya Manickchand said even after the University of Guyana’s Council agreed to give former Chancellor Compton Bourne another term, he declined, citing that the condition under which he once worked was not conducive.
During a media briefing last Thursday, Minister Manickchand said that she saw correspondence about his resignation.
According to the Minister, Bourne’s contract was up as of the 30th June but based on his outstanding work, a decision was taken to offer him another term.
“The Council had agreed to extend his term for three years having been satisfied by his performance and being enthused by his plans and vision, and so that would have come into place after the 30th but because of what I consider to be very nasty attack on his person, he says he does not believe he is suited for that kind of environment,” Minister Manickchand said.
The Minister further advised that the action of name calling and nasty remarks about the former Chancellor is unhealthy for Guyana as a whole.
“Here we have a country that is developing and a country which is clamoring for development and we have a lack of human resources and we have someone who is renowned and distinguished internationally and who is willing to come here and serve and we have some idiots running around not engaging in healthy conversation and persons who are prepared to vilify this man.”
The subject Minister further pointed out that she is disappointed over the fact that what should have been talks about policies and programmes for a better University turned out to be a ‘nasty’ name calling episode.
When questioned about the issues raised by the University of Guyana Senior Staff Association, Minister Manickchand said all of the issues raised could have been addressed and dealt with. “I was also disappointed to see the way how the media allowed itself to be used to defame this man (Professor Bourne) who came back here to serve. Some of the persons who are talking I believe can’t police his shoes.”
The Minister however pointed out that she does not have a problem with anyone taking up the position as Chancellor once the right process is followed without the attack on one’s character. Manickchand however acknowledged the fact that the Union has a right to make demands and to expect their demands to be met.
Over the past weeks the UGSSA has been involved in a number of protest actions with the most recent one being held at the Office of the Pro Chancellor and at the Parliament Building.
The actions were calling for Bourne’s resignation and the removal of the council. The UGSSA has also made a call to all parliamentary parties to look into the affairs of the University with the aim of bettering the institution.
The UGSSA upon learning of Bourne’s resignation said they saw it as a victory as they claimed he was incompetent in running the affairs of the university.
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