Guyana needs students with depth and skill to lead us forward

Dec 09, 2023 Letters

Dear Editor,

Almost every Guyanese, males in particular, has all of a sudden become an international relations specialist sharing expertise on the border controversy in which the western neighbor is claiming almost two thirds of Guyana’s territory. They advise what Guyana should do. I wonder if they know the difference between International Relations, International Politics, International Law, Foreign Policy, and International Diplomacy. I wonder if they know what the World Court is, and how it works or makes decisions.

It is amazing that many who never finished high school, didn’t go to college but claim all kinds of diploma degrees including doctorates (PhD), and are voicing expertise on the subject. Some never read a book on politics or visited a college. Yet some of them unashamedly claim diplomas from unheard universities or colleges and from never heard before places, somewhere beyond God’s back.  I wonder if they know what the degree stands for. This can only happen in Guyana and among Guyanese. Who are they trying to fool or impress, we don’t know.I wonder if some of them actually know how a college degree is obtained. Do they really know that it takes four years of full-time studies for a Bachelor’s degree, an additional two years of full time studies for a Master’s degree, and a further two or three years of full time studies for PhD. Do they know the rigors involved of pursuing a serious course of studies?

Part-time studies would take more than twice that period of time. Exceptional students could take a little less time than above to complete each of those degree programs. Of course, it would require completion of a course of studies (high school curriculum) to meet eligibility requirements for entrance into a Bachelor’s program. But then Guyanese are exceptional students; some don’t need CXC or GCE or even to finish high school for entrance to college. They are extremely bright; they get admitted to colleges without attending or completing high school to get admission in universities. God bless them! I wish I were so bright as them! I would have finished all my degree studies within a few months and not required to be in university for many years to obtain a PhD to become a specialist in IR.

I look forward for the views of the experts on international relations issues especially on the claim being made by Venezuela on our country’s territory. We need real experts to offer practical solutions not those who never studied IR.

Yours truly,

Vishnu Bisram

• Foreign Policy, Guyana, international law, International Politics, Vishnu Bisram, World Court is