Consultations on increasing UG’s Tuition fees to commence tomorrow

By Tracey Khan – Drakes

[www.inewsguyana.com] – The University of Guyana will officially begin its four day consultation tomorrow [Tuesday, June 24)] with students as it tries to convince stakeholders to support its plans to increase tuition fees at the University. 

Vice Chancellor of the University, Dr Jacob Opadeyi said in order for the institution to be free of political intervention, it has to be self sustained and this is one of the ways it can do this.

The Vice Chancellor also argued that the University can be allowed to continue along its current path or make necessary improvement to make it internationally competitive.

Stakeholders will be allowed to have an input and make recommendations, but the University is hoping to have them buy into the idea of increased tuition.

It was noted that the institution is only providing a service to Guyanese instead of quality education at this high level and this can no longer continue to occur. They are hoping this will be a national decision and embraced by all.

The consultations will give stakeholders the opportunity to seek clarity on a number of issues and the University will be able to explain its rationale behind wanting to increase.

The University also wants to implement a new policy where the minimum qualification to lecture will be a masters degree and plans are also underway to improve its infrastructure so as to attract international students.  

De Opadeyi said the tuition fee will not come as an increase initially, but as an adjustment over a period of time.

Many believe the University is scrambling a little too late to implement the increase for the new academic year in September and this will not give students enough time to transition.