Message from Ambassador Michael Ten-Pow for the UG Gala Commemorative Journal

As an alumnus myself of the University (Class of 75), I commend the commitment of the non-profit Alumni & Friends of the University of Guyana (AFOUG) and of the Education Resource Ambassadors (ERAs) to the University and their contribution to its renaissance.

While Guyana is among the select group of countries that spends a significant proportion of their GDP on education, much remains to be done to ensure that the training provided by our educational institutions matches the needs of our society and economy. UG alumni have an important role to play in retooling the University to make it more fit for the high purpose which it is called upon to serve. The University is fortunate at this critical juncture to have a Vice-Chancellor and a leadership that have the vision, creativity and drive to devise innovative solutions to the resource and multiple other challenges faced by the institution. But they cannot do this alone. They need the thousands of alumni who have benefited over the years from the solid academic foundation with which UG has equipped them and who in many cases have gone on to outstanding professional accomplishments both within and outside of Guyana.

Whether in the form of material resources, your time and expertise, or your ideas and suggestions, the contribution of each of us will go a long way towards helping the University to realize its full potential as an incubator of the trained professionals that Guyana so sorely needs. I urge you all to get engaged and to stay engaged in this vitally important task of rebuilding our national university.