1628 students graduate from UG

UG Graduation 2016

In what was history in the making, a student from the Faculty of Health Sciences secured the valedictorian spot at the 50th Convocation of the University of Guyana (UG).
Kibwey Peterkin, 23, who read for his Bachelor’s Degree in medicine, garnered the President’s Medal for Best Graduating student at this year’s graduation ceremony on the university’s tarmac on Saturday evening. Peterkin was one of 1628 students who successfully completed Degrees, Diplomas and Certificates in programmes across faculties.
Peterkin, in a blue tie that matched his dyed hair colour, credited his success to the devotion that his mother and family gave throughout his period of study. He told his fellow graduates that as they are embarking on a new chapter, they should bask in their success.
“We will make Guyana great again…graduates, congratulations; we must bask in this moment. We have finally completed a chapter that we started five years ago; today we now embark on a new and exciting chapter. Even as we drink in the nostalgia of our memories made here, although our future may be uncertain, although we may not know what tomorrow holds [but] a famous street poet said: it’s time for us the conquer the world,” the jubilant young man posited.
“Commit to your craft, we have to write new chapters of innovation,” Peterkin further encouraged.
He told his colleagues that they should strive to be the best version of themselves.
“Be the best version of us that we can be, we have to devote ourselves each and every day to doing things great,” he opined.
Peterkin encouraged the class of 2016 by referencing a social media post which stated: “If Donald can do it, so can you”.
Being this year’s Valedictorian, he garnered Best Graduating Student in the Health Sciences Faculty, and Moderator and Registrar of the University, Dr Nigel Gravesande remarked that this was the first time that this has ever occurred. (Shemuel Fanfair)