Shaquan Gill, a third year Bachelor of Social Science (Communications Studies) major has been installed as the President of the University of Guyana Students’ Society (UGSS).
He, along with members of the body’s Executive Council took the oath of office in December 2022, administered by the university’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Paloma Mohamed-Martin in
According to information posted on the UGSS’s official Facebook page, Gill, 20, is a passionate young leader, who is in his third year at the institution.
Members of the University of Guyana Students’ Society (UGSS) Executive Council with the university’s Vice Chancellor Paloma Mohamed Martin and Chancellor Edward Greene (UGSS photo)
For five years, he served as a Youth Ambassador, participating in and facilitating workshops on youth empowerment and professional development. Gill also served as a mentor for three consecutive National Youth Parliament Sittings, himself being a Youth Parliamentarian in 2018.
He is also the captain of the university’s U21 basketball team, leading them to two championships in 2022. He is employed as a Communications Officer at the Department of Public Information (DPI).
The UGSS’s Senior Vice President is 25-year-old Malika Russell. She is reading for her master’s degree in Agro-Technology and Business. Russell is a national youth debater, a regional youth ambassador, and she served as the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition at Youth Parliament in 2021-2022.
She strongly believes that people can all inspire each other, and she does this by helping with organisations like Empower Guyana and the youth group Small Steps Big Impact, which works to inspire change across Guyana. She is enthusiastic about mental health, human rights, and youth empowerment.
She shares Nelson Mandela’s philosophy that “What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived; it is what difference we have to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead”. Russell is eager to do her best to represent UG students wisely and to the best of her ability.
Jamaal Kaunda Thornhill, the UGSS’s Junior Vice President is a Police Officer by profession, a businessman and a junior at the University of Guyana majoring in Public Management.
He was described as an organised, analytical and competitive professional with approximately more than seven years of youth advocacy in areas of natural justice, fundamental rights and youth development in financial literacy and financial discipline.
With an immense admiration for the words of President J. F. Kennedy, “…Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what can you do for your country”, Thornhill stands resolute to use his office to incorporate his skills and knowledge to alleviate the burning issues the students’ population face.
and continue to bridge a student-lecturer relationship that will see academic improvements in students and an institution that provides the best of service to all students.
Selene Ramrattan, a 20-year-old second-year student in the Medical Laboratory Science program, is the UGSS’s Secretary. This young woman holds an executive position as the Assistant Secretary/ Treasurer in the Medical Laboratory Science Students’ Association at UG.
Ramrattan believes that every student at UG has a right for their voices to be heard and they deserve to receive quality education.
Manisha Sagadaya, UGSS’s Assistant Secretary, is a vibrant 20-year-old and is in her third year of pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Management while attached to UG’s Berbice Campus.
She has a passionate drive and willingness to assist colleagues, coupled with her growing interest in literature writing and graphics designing.
She has been elected as the Third-Year Representative within the School of Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation (SEBI) Club and continues to be an advocate for voicing the concerns of her peers.
With the exemplary skills she has acquired, Sagadaya intends to ensure equal representation for all students at the University of Guyana, regardless of their campus affiliations, while serving on UGSS’s Administrative and Executive Body.
Akeem Stoby, the student body’s Treasurer, has been a Youth Advocate for more than five years. He is a third year Accountancy Major at UG where he currently serves as the President of the School of Entrepreneurial and Business Innovation Mentorship Club (SEBIMC).
Stoby also serves as the Chairman of the Youth Committee for International Decade for People of African Descent Assembly Guyana (IDPADA-G). He has been a strong advocate for being a voice for the voiceless. With these abilities and traits, he hopes to collaborate with the other executives in establishing a better learning environment for all university students.
The Assistant Treasurer, Laurianne Lewis, is an active youth leader, who is in her fourth year of Medical Laboratory Science at UG’s Turkeyen Campus. Ms. Lewis also serves as Treasurer for the Medical Laboratory Science Student Association (MLSSA).
She has also previously served as Vice President. Lewis was also the Secretary and Vice President of the Interact Club at School of the Nations and is the proprietor of a local Guyana store.
Nonetheless, via her acts of service to every student body of which she has been a member, Lewis seeks to effect good change for everybody. This Bible scripture serves as guidance for her. Matt. 20:26 “If you want to be great, you must serve everyone else”.
Beverly Sills is the UGSS’s Public Relations Officer.
She is a first year Petroleum Engineering student under the Faculty of Engineering and Technology. As a member of the Executive Council, she is looking forward to creating a better experience for all students through effective communication and hospitality services.
Jaeda Curtis is an international student hailing from the island of Jamaica, currently in her fourth year of pursuing her MBBS degree. She is the Chairman of the UGSS’s Public Relations Committee.
From an early age, advocacy has played an important role in her personal development and nurturing her passion to put service above self.
She would have served as Secretary/Public Relations Officer for the National Secondary Students’ Council. Currently, Curtis serves as Treasurer for UG’s Medical Students’ Association.
She strives to make an impact wherever she is placed.
Curtis is led by the word of God, not by the world, a scripture that resonates with her is 2 Chronicles 15:7–“But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.”
Christopher Francisco, Chairman of the student body’s Games Committee, is a first-year Psychology major who is passionate about mental health and its effects on the younger population.
He is eager to contribute to its eradication. He is very enthusiastic about his new role and would like to put both psychology and games (sports) together to impact the students mentally and physically.
In addition, he believes that this would enable students to become actively involved in real-world activities after this type of engagement was subsequently neglected because of the COVID-19 pandemic. “Let’s play the mental games and get physically involved,” he said.(G1)
