Transformation Task Force approved to fix university issues — says Chancellor

Nov 19, 2015 News

The University of Guyana Council has approved the creation of a transformation task force to develop a credible plan to fix some of UG issues, Chancellor Nigel Harris said.

UG Chancellor
Nigel Harris

Speaking at the 49th Convocation Ceremony of the University on Saturday, the newly appointed Chancellor said that in order for Guyana to move forward as a nation, it must address “decisively” some of the challenges faced at UG.
He said that the Council approved the formation of the task force last Friday and will be collaborating with all sectors of the nation to devise a reliable plan to address some of the “chronic governance, resource and other problems” faced.
Indicating that the development of the university was not only a government and management and staff responsibility, Harris opined that it is critical that all sections of the nation be more engaged to carry the institution to the next level “for our sake and for the sake of generations to come”.
He said issues of an underfunded institution, non-competitive staff salaries and gaps in capacities to undertake some teaching and research programme inadequate infrastructure, and different views about how to address these issues had created difficulties for both managers and staff at the university.
Nevertheless, he thanked Vice-Chancellor Jacob Opadeyi for his efforts to improve the institution. He lauded him for the enhancement of the university’s financial and management system, the reduction of the university arrears by initiating additional government funding, facilitating the promotion of a number of faculty members, while working to ensure that a greater percentage of academic staff can gain degrees.
However, Opadeyi has had his fair share of opposition from the UG student body and its workers’ union during his tenure. There have been a number of staff and student strikes, the last leading to a total shut-down of the university earlier this year.
Opadeyi’s contract as Vice-Chancellor will come to an end on February 16, 2016 and he has since signalled his intentions not to have it renewed.
A source stated that a management committee will take over until there is a new Vice-Chancellor.