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New IT centre `tangible demonstration’ of Government’s
commitment to UG
`…we have every hope and intention that we can return at graduation to recruit the best and brightest among them so that they can join GT&T in our quest to make telecommunications in Guyana second to none.’ GT&T CEO, Ms Sonita Jagan A
MULTI-million Technology Centre was formally handed over Friday to the
University of Guyana (UG) Turkeyen Campus amidst calls for the
institution’s development in keeping with the technological era. As part
of efforts to ensure such development, President Bharrat Jagdeo announced
at the function a $600M injection for, among other things, modernised
science laboratories. The
University also got an undertaking from the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph
Limited (GT&T) for the provision of technical facilities as well as
opportunities for recruitment for the best and brightest among UG
graduates. The IT
Centre, which is located at the University’s north-western end and was
constructed at a cost of more than $100M, is being operated in
collaboration with the University and GT&T. GT&T and Nortel
Networks installed an Internet facility in the upper floor of the
two-storey building. The
telecommunication firm’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Ms. Sonita Jagan,
in her address at the opening ceremony noted that GT&T’s contribution
to the IT Centre includes the provision of 57 Dell Pentium-4 computers, a
Dell Server, and a high speed laser printer and scanner to the tune of
some $10M. “More
than all of that is the provision of the high speed internet access which
translates to a monthly cost of $1.2M which GT&T will continue to
provide.
Ms Jagan
added that GT&T intends to keep a close watch on the students of the
University of Guyana “because we have every hope and intention that we can
return at graduation to recruit the best and brightest among them so that
they can join GT&T in our quest to make telecommunications in Guyana
second to none.” The CEO
recalled a public lecture she delivered recently as part of UG’s 40th
anniversary celebrations, and in which she noted that “it is self evident
that while a modern telecommunication network is necessary for
participation and integration into the global economy, it is far from
sufficient.” “Without
access to modern telecommunications network that provides reliable and
reasonably priced services, both a nation and its people are destined for
marginalisation. That GT&T recognises this reality is demonstrated by
the investments it has made, the investment priorities we are following
and the lengths that we have gone to expand that telecommunications
network to increase access to all Guyanese,” she stated. She
said, too, that in this technologically advanced global village,
information is indispensable for economic and social activities and access
to modern telecommunications networks has become a crucial link in the
chain of the development process. “Failure
to modernise the telecommunication network and failure to universalise
access to these networks will consign a country to backwardness and social
and economic deterioration and consign its people to the limited economic
opportunities, unemployment and poverty,” she asserted. “Today,
access to modern telecommunications network means access to a vast array
of information and communication technology and opportunities to enhance
education, health and indeed job processes,” Ms. Jagan
added. President Jagdeo told the gathering that his administration
supports the development of the University and the commitment of the $600M
is “just the beginning. “…Before
the end of this year, we would have a loan that we are negotiating with
the CDB that will provide to the University of Guyana another $600M to use
for further development of information technology here on the campus,” the
President announced. “I am
pleased to be here to associate myself and my Government with the opening
of this wonderful facility. It is a dream come through for some students
and maybe some people on the campus and it may be that it’s a promise
kept, but for me it represents something a little different because this
facility and much more that will take place, will serve to erode some
suspicions that may be harboured in some quarters,” the President
asserted. The
President dismissed criticisms about the government’s perceived lack of
commitment to the university’ development, and pointed out that the IT
Centre’s opening is one of the tangible demonstrations of interest and
commitment to the institution’s improvement. Government has put some $200M
towards the construction and outfitting of the Centre. The
Guyanese leader recalled that the PPP/C Government’s decision to construct
another campus for the university in Berbice was met with accusations
along racial and political lines. According to Mr. Jagdeo, these accusations totally ignored the fact
that several administrations, including the PNC administration, had
thought about building a UG campus in Berbice. “They
never accomplished this, but they thought about building the campus (in
Berbice) and studies were done to that effect,” President Jagdeo
stated. Mr.
Jagdeo also indicated that from time to time his administration has been,
and would continue to be, critical of various aspects of the University
but pointed out that these have and will always be constructive criticisms
aimed at the betterment of the institution. “We are
critical because we care, because we want to see the University succeed.
No country can develop without preparing cadres and the University of
Guyana has been doing this well for several years and we want it to do
better,” President Jagdeo posited. According to him, the Government’s criticism surrounds the need for
more external examiners, the need for a fair appeal for students, tenure
of lecturers, insufficient publications by staff and management related
issues, among others. Also making presentations at the ceremony were Vice-Chancellor, Dr. James Rose; United States Ambassador, Mr. Roland Bullen; and Regional Director of Nortel Networks, Mr. Barry Nugent. Among those present were Pro-Chancellor of UG, Dr. Prem Misir; Education Minister, Dr. Henry Jeffrey; several senior Government functionaries; members of the Diplomatic Community and special invitees. Deputy Vice Chancellor of UG, Mr. Al Creighton, chaired the function. (Mark Ramotar) |
