That was 10 years ago! Students and staff, joined by the Guyanese population as a whole, demonstrated for five long weeks to obtain a fully-fledged university in French Guyana. Now, as the University of Guyana celebrates its tenth anniversary, it has organised a meeting on 10 November to look back on this tumultuous journey, celebrate the successes and reflect on the challenges that have been overcome.
L t this commemorative evening, the university community and the Guyanese population had the opportunity to reflect on the ten years of existence of the University of Guyana. The evening was punctuated by poignant testimonies from former students, members of the inter-union and staff. The university's three successive presidents shared their vision, detailing how their terms of office have unfolded and the reasons behind the desire for an independent university.
November 2013: an inevitable split
After 40 years of marriage with the University of the West Indies, the divorce was finalized on 11 November 2013. The signing of the memorandum of understanding on 11 November 2013 marked the beginning of a new era, that of the University of French Guiana, which officially came into being on 1 January 2015. This independence was the result of an unprecedented mobilisation of students, staff and representatives of the Guyanese community.
Why this revolt? Some say it's years of frustration, others say it's "the straw that broke the camel's back"... but all agree that things had to change.
On 8 October 2013, the opening of a new bachelor's degree was delayed. Students, lecturers and administrative staff then decided to mobilise, demanding more resources, more lecturers, the opening of a library and, above all, their independence from the University of the West Indies. It was the start of five weeks of fighting and an inevitable break-up.
As it enters its second decade, the University of Guyana is proud of its history, which is made up of the struggles and passions that forged its independence. Thanks to the people who have fought and worked to make it grow over the past decade, the UG has become much more than just a university. It embodies the determination and resilience of a community united to provide quality education in French Guyana. These are the values on which the University of Guyana was built. Today, the University of Guyana is ready to write the next chapters of its next decades.
