Venezuelan shines as UG valedictorian

…inspires graduates with story of perseverance, dreams fulfilled

Shaneeza Persaud’s journey to becoming the University of Guyana’s 2024 Valedictorian is a tale of resilience, sacrifice, and the unbreakable bond of family.

Born to a Venezuelan mother and a Guyanese father, Shaneeza’s childhood was spent in Venezuela, yet she always felt a longing for the roots she had in Guyana. When it came time to choose where she would study, her heart led her to Guyana, a decision she knew would bring both challenges and growth.

Her path to a Bachelor of Science in Marketing at the University of Guyana’s School of Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation (SEBI) was far from easy. The early days of her degree were spent online due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and she logged into classes from her mother’s old laptop in Venezuela.

After moving to Guyana in 2023, she faced a fresh wave of challenges: living alone for the first time, adjusting to a new culture, balancing a demanding academic schedule, and managing all of this without the immediate presence of her family.

“This was one of the hardest, most challenging periods of my life. I was alone in a country I hadn’t been in for years…There were days when I wouldn’t eat in order to get everything done on time…Believing in myself, believing I could handle the stress and pressure, was something I struggled with during the entire four years of my degree,” she recalled.

But go on she did, embracing every moment of university life and transforming obstacles into opportunities for growth. Shaneeza took on leadership roles as a faculty representative and an active member of the University of Guyana Student Society (UGSS), where she found strength in building a community around her. It was these experiences that gave her the resilience to persevere through her toughest days; and in a remarkable turn of events, her hard work culminated in the honour of being named Valedictorian.

“When I received the call from my professor, it was 12 a.m. here in China…I was genuinely speechless for a few seconds, processing the information,” she recalled.
Her first thought was to share the good news with her parents, despite the miles between them.

“There was nothing I would’ve wanted more than to be able to tell them in person and share this beautiful moment with them,” she shared.
For Shaneeza, the valedictorian title goes beyond recognition; it represents “a journey of growth, resilience, and perseverance.”

Sacrifices
Currently in China for a language programme to perfect her Mandarin — a skill she hopes would expand her horizons — Shaneeza expressed how much she wished she could have been in Guyana to accept the honour in person.

“The sacrifices my parents made for me to be able to attend university in Guyana…there will never be enough words to showcase my gratitude to them. This achievement is for them. If there were ever moments when I wanted to give up, my parents would always come to mind, leading me to start over with more vigour and renewed courage. From my days of logging into class on my mom’s laptop back in Venezuela, to leaning on them from afar while I was in Guyana, I owe this milestone to them,” she proudly said.

Looking ahead, Shaneeza is preparing to pursue a master’s degree with dreams of giving back to her community. “With a degree in Marketing, I’m excited to leverage the power of effective communication to positively impact my community and field,” she shared.
Her ultimate goal is to use her skills to help small businesses in Guyana thrive.
As she reflects on her journey, Shaneeza cannot help but express deep gratitude to the people who supported her. Once a shy individual, she now steps forward with confidence, ready to face new challenges and continue making her family, friends, and community proud.
She also credits her success to the close-knit friendships she made in Guyana, describing her friends as her “family away from home.”
“They were there through every late-night study session, every moment of homesickness. They made me feel like I belonged, even when I was so far from my roots,” she explained.
Shaneeza’s story is not just about academic success, it’s about the courage to pursue a dream across borders, the power of community, and the love that fuels perseverance. From her days as a shy student in Venezuela to being a confident valedictorian with a clear vision for the future, Shaneeza’s journey is an inspiration to all who dare to chase their dreams, no matter the distance or difficulty.

Testimonies & transformed lives
Following Thursday’s 2024 convocation ceremony for graduates of the University’s Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown campus, several students shared testimonials about how UG transformed their lives, while some have reflected on overcoming challenges.
Rockell Stephens, who graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies, shared that she is thrilled to finish, proving to herself that she is capable of fulfilling her dreams.
“I’m really happy to be graduating. I was already looking forward to this in my second year, and now I’m thrilled to finish and move on to the next stage. I completed a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies. Initially, I wanted to pursue pharmacy, but I didn’t get into that programme, so I chose Environmental Studies mainly because of my interest in conservation,” Stephens shared.
Another graduate, Eli Inniss who secured a Certificate in Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing, shared, “I am very excited! It was tough, but I was able to graduate with a distinction. I chose this area of study because I work at the Civil Defence Commission. I think this is the way forward as it relates to fighting disasters.”
Buzzing with joy, Tanoop Persaud said, “I feel really happy about graduating, but it has been a bittersweet moment, because I’m embracing all the emotions leading up to this. It’s been a challenge, but I accept challenges, and I am ready to grow and develop as a civil engineer going forward, and as a human being as well. I lost a mentor, Mr Maxwell Jackson; may his soul rest in peace. He has been a mentor to me since my first year up to my final step. He’s watching from above, and even if his presence won’t be felt physically, I know he’s there. I would tell other aspiring engineers to go for it. I know for some it can be very difficult in terms of finances and so on. My advice is to go forward. Accept the challenge and grow with it. Grow with the lessons learned from the challenges.”
Anjali Alima Jameer acquired a Bachelor’s of Science in Electrical Engineering. She shared similar sentiments: “I’m excited! I’m just happy to be the first of my family to graduate, so it’s a big deal. I came from the interior, Lethem, so all the way to town was a big challenge for me. But again, the challenge, you have to overcome it; and I did, and I’m here. My journey at the University of Guyana taught me perseverance and faith. Despite self-doubt and obstacles, I focused on my passion for geology and relied on God for strength.”
“Embrace your challenges. Every step forward brings you closer to your dreams. You are not alone — trust in yourself, your faith, and keep moving forward,” Jaheem Simpson, who secured a Bachelor’s in Applied and Exploration Geology, has said.
Marcelina Budburgh hails from the Amerindian village of Moraikobai. She gained a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry. “I’m from Moraikobai, the only Amerindian village in Region Five. I’m very excited, pleased, and happy to be graduating. Growing up in a small family that faced many struggles, I actually made it out, and I’m glad to be here today. I chose this field of study because of my passion for chemistry and my love of understanding how things work — how reactants come together to form a product, and how we can improve lives across Guyana through chemistry,” she said.
Meanwhile, Rakin McDonald, who gained an Associate of Science in Information Technology, stated, “I’m feeling a bit nervous, but the stress of preparing for today has eased. I can’t wait for the day to end! I chose this programme because I enjoy coding, and I believe information technology offers many career opportunities. As the world increasingly embraces digital transformation, IT provides flexibility — if one path doesn’t work out, there’s always a plan B, or even a plan C.”
Moreover, Ariel Perry who copped a Diploma in Biology, said, “It’s a privilege to graduate from the University of Guyana. I’m incredibly grateful, because I’ve worked hard for the past two years, and it’s rewarding to see that hard work pay off. I chose this programme because I have a strong passion for science; it allows me to understand the world from a unique perspective. I knew I wanted to pursue something in the field of science, so I chose biology.”