THE University of Guyana (AS) has recorded a number of ‘firsts’ among the 2021 graduating class, including a PhD in Bio-diversity, a Master of Medicine in Diagnostic Radiology, a Master of Agro-Technology and Business, a Bachelor of Mathematics (online.) And Higher Postgraduate Diploma in Education.
The first graduates with any PhD from AS will be those of the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Biodiversity, an intercultural research program offered jointly by the faculties of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Sciences Natural, and Agriculture and Forestry.
The two PhD graduates, Dr. Cecil Boston and Dr. Rajini Kurup, among the first set of graduates to walk the virtual graduation stage at the first of five graduation ceremonies held on Friday, March 19. Dr Boston’s doctoral dissertation focused on: “A study on the use of medicinal plants in the treatment and management of Diabetes mellitus in Guyana with a case study from Pakuri (St Cuthbert’s Mission) on selected indigenous herbal treatment for diabetes. ”
Dr. Boston to defend his PhD thesis on June 1, 2020. His earlier degrees include a Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology, a Postgraduate Diploma in Education and a Master of Science in Environmental Management.
“I’m glad I was able to complete this program,” said Dr. Boston, currently Dean of the College of Medical Sciences at the University of Guyana.
On the other hand, Dr.’s doctoral research was. Kurup focuses on microbial diversity and knowledge and practices among diabetic foot patients in Guyana.
She successfully completed and defended her research thesis on May 28, 2020. The young woman has a degree in Zoology and a Master of Microbiology.
The proud graduate said: “I am happy and grateful to have achieved this milestone. Of course, it is important to know and plan someone’s research that would help or benefit humanity and the country. “This program could help more towards the benefit or improvement of the country’s environmental sustainability. I am grateful to everyone involved in the success of this program, thank you for your words of encouragement and thank you to the University of Guyana for providing this opportunity. “
Dr. Elroy Charles, one of the three persons responsible for developing the PhD program while Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry and who continued as a faculty representative on the committee, said he was proud of the success of Boston and Kurup as well several others expected to march in the 2020/2021 rating later this year.
He noted that the program is essential because Guyana is 80 percent of forests with a high level of flora and fauna biodiversity, of which little is known by science. According to Charles, there is a great deal of work, especially on taxonomic diversity that needs to be done.
The academic explained: “Quite often, the Guiana Shield is represented as the last remaining base of biodiversity that remains largely untouched. For this reason, the work of the graduates is important as it addresses and contributes to the body of knowledge necessary for the development of Guyana and the region. Doctoral program graduates will enliven the Guyanese public and academia and the program will gain the recognition it deserves.
“When we go abroad to study, most of the study focuses on issues that are relevant to that country. By having our own PhD program, we are able to tackle our local issues and thereby enrich our body of knowledge of native biodiversity. ”
The AS PhD in Biodiversity (UGDB) is a world-class doctoral program for doctoral research training. It also seeks to address management issues of significance for the future of biodiversity, its ecosystems and services for Guyana, the Guiana Shield, the Caribbean and the world. The mission of the program is to produce basic and innovative knowledge in the complex field of biodiversity.
Nearly 2,500 students have graduated from the University of Guyana’s Turkeyen and Berbice Campuses, and from the Institute of Distance and Continuing Education’s programs for 2021.