“No matter our beginnings, have the strength to rise” – MP Charlie

…graduates as UEMB valedictorian

Member of Parliament, Alister Charlie recently graduated as valedictorian at the University of Excellence, Management and Business (UEMB), with a Master’s Degree in General Business Administration.
In his valedictorian speech, the parliamentarian representing the governing Peoples Progressive Party (PPP) Administration spoke about his humble beginnings and his dedication to achieve greatness.
“As I look back on my journey, I am reminded of my humble beginnings growing up in the hinterland of Guyana. Like many hinterland children, I attended school barefoot, dressed in my little khaki pants and a white school shirt, with my exercise books carried in a plastic bag. Resources were few, and my family couldn’t afford much, but what they gave me was priceless. My parents, though they had little, always encouraged me to take my education seriously, to dream big, and to work hard for a better future,” Charlie noted.
He also recalled that from a young age, he was also athletic, and one race in particular stands out in his memory.

“I remember running with everything I had and finishing first. But in another race, I stumbled and fell. I could have stayed down, but instead, I got back up and kept running. I didn’t come in first, but I finished. That experience taught me a lesson I carry with me today: success isn’t just about winning. It’s about resilience, about the strength to rise after a fall, and about the courage to finish what I start,” he explained.
As he achieves yet another academic milestone, the MP said he feels the fulfillment of his journey that began with those humble steps in the hinterland.
“My journey hasn’t always been easy, but it has been worth every step,” he added.
Speaking to his fellow graduates, Charlie acknowledged that “some of us, like myself, came from humble beginnings, but we chose to rise, to keep pushing forward, and to reach for more.”
He noted that, “the journey is not always easy, and there will be obstacles, but I encourage each of you to keep pursuing your education, no matter the challenges. Education is the key to transforming our lives, and it opens doors to opportunities we may never have imagined.”
“Let us remember that no matter our beginnings, no matter the obstacles, we have the strength to rise and the courage to finish our race. Just like I learned as a child, even if we fall, we must get back up and keep going. Let our lives be a testament to what is possible through hard work, humility, and an unwavering commitment to our goals,” Charlie further expressed.
Charlie, who achieved a GPA – 4.0 (A+ Distinction), says he now plans on pursuing a PHD as the next step in his academic career.