The Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA) conducted its 52nd Graduation Exercise consisting of its biggest batch of 156 students, on Friday at the School’s Campus in Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara.
From Left: Paul White, Jamaul Wilson, Anisa Mancey, Tanisha Thompson and Rabindranauth Mohal
Attendees at the graduation consisted of the school’s Principal, Dindyal Permaul, Chief Executive Officer Brian Greenidge, director Dexter Allen, chairman of the board of directors and Chief Education Officer of the Ministry of Education Olatto Sam, as well as Minister of Agriculture Noel Holder, among other board members, academic staff and the graduating students.
Speaking to the students the Minister of Agriculture congratulated them for having successfully completed their studies, and offered words of advice as the graduating class of 2016 moves on to other endeavours.
“As you go on to higher and better things, I hope you carry a positive mindset. Your thoughts are yours and must be controlled. It is perhaps one of the most important resources you have,” Holder said.
Holder further advised them to take control of their future and pursue jobs that would enable them to become independent, highlighting that there will be considerations of GSA providing assistance to graduates who may find it difficult in acquiring a job. He asserted that this may be done through the establishment of internship programmes within partnering entities.
“Seize the opportunity with open arms and commit to the task at hand…The youth unemployment rate across the Caribbean averages 25 per cent, while here in Guyana this rate has been hovering close to 40 per cent. It is clear that we can turn to our agriculture sector for aid in tackling this problem. Additionally, for the industry to attain sustainability, it must address the aging farming population by promoting greater involvement of our youths in agriculture.”
The Graduating Class of 2016 consisted of 84 pupils who completed their Diploma in Agriculture, 15 acquired a Certificate in Agriculture, 10 graduated with a Diploma in Animal Health and Veterinary Public Health, 36 received a Certificate in Forestry and 11 acquired a Certificate in Agro-Processing.
Receiving the Chief Executive Officer Prize was Rabindranauth Mohal, who also acquired the spot of Best Performance in Agronomy, Experimental Methods, Veterinary Science, and Diploma in Agriculture Class.
Following him was Jamaul Wilson, who received the Chairman’s Prize, and also copped the position of Outstanding Performance in Forest Resource Management, Timber Harvesting, and Forestry Class.
Anisa Mancey was awarded prizes for Best Performance in Veterinary Pathology and Veterinary Public Health, Animal Physiology and Veterinary Anatomy, Animal Nutrition, Surgery, Animal Breeding and Reproductive Physiology, Pharmacology, and Best Overall Performance in Animal Health and Veterinary Public Health Class.
