“Make use of free education” – 1st-year UG students urged to seize opportunities as new academic year begins

The 2026 intake of students at the University of Guyana (UG) is being urged to make the most of the opportunity they have been given, particularly given the fact that they are benefiting from free tertiary education.
“We are Guyana’s premier tertiary institution… As the university dedicated to educating our future contributors and leaders, let us constantly acknowledge that we are fortunate to be the beneficiaries of free education. Let us make use of that,” Registrar of the University of Guyana, Dr Nigel Gravesande, declared while addressing first-year students during the Ceremonial Opening of the 2026/2027 Academic Year on Friday.

Free tuition was introduced at UG from January 2025 for all new and continuing students in the Diploma, Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD programmes. This was a commitment made by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) in its 2020 Elections Manifesto.
In addition to free education, the Dr Irfaan Ali-led PPP/C Administration also moved to write off an estimated $11 billion in student loan debt for over 13,000 past and present students.
Through these interventions, the Government is hoping to alleviate the financial burden on students while also empowering Guyanese and providing them with the opportunities to participate in nation-building.
Also highlighting this unique opportunity that students are presented with was Chairman of UG’s Transitional Management Team, Professor Stafford Griffith, who delivered the keynote address during Friday’s opening ceremony.
“Guyanese students in particular attending this university have the good fortune of a tuition-free education. I urge you to respect that and make the best of it. You are being provided with an opportunity to obtain a university education in a chosen area of specialisation at a much lower personal cost than those who came before you,” he stated.

Griffith, who was put in charge of UG’s operations until a new Vice Chancellor was appointed, said a university education provides significant benefits, including access to more extensive career opportunities as well as opportunities for personal growth and development.
It also provides an opportunity to contribute to and benefit from the development of the country, but more importantly, he noted, a university qualification leads to a more fulfilling life.
Against this backdrop, the UG official further told the new university students that they are among the privileged few in the world who will benefit from an advanced education.
“You are on the road to becoming a trained professional in a specialisation of your choice. And this cannot be accomplished without the hard work, sometimes the gruelling work that is required. Success in your university education requires persistence,” he stated.
Meanwhile, Professor Griffith also joined with the student representative, President of the UG Student Society (UGSS) Tirishatha Semple, to encourage the freshman students to not only attend all their classes and complete their assignments but also partake in extracurricular activities. Both speakers emphasised that this is important not just to create well-rounded individuals but also to balance their academic lives.
According to Semple, “Don’t just come to the university and just go home… Education is key, but you must have a balance… We have the clubs. Everything is available for you as students, so don’t just come to UG, attend classes, and go home. Let UG pass through you as well [and] leave a mark.”
The UGSS President further told the first-year students that while their tertiary journey will be challenging, they can accomplish whatever they set their minds to as long as they put in the work. Semple further underscored that education leads to a brighter future and that UG is the stepping stone to get there.
Meanwhile, classes for the first semester of the 2026/2027 academic year are set to commence on Monday, September 7. Approximately 5000 new students have enrolled for the new academic year and will join more than 10,000 continuing students pursuing programmes across a wide range of academic disciplines.
Prior to Friday’s opening ceremony, the first-year students participated in faculty-specific orientation sessions during which they were introduced to the university’s academic and administrative systems, policies, personnel, facilities, and support services.
Students enrolled in online and blended programmes also receive guidance to help them navigate the university’s digital learning environment.