New UGSS President promises to lead with empathy, authenticity 

Tirishatha Semple was sworn in on Monday as President of the University of Guyana’s Students’ Society for the academic year 2024/2025, along with the rest of the members making up the Executive Council.

The formal installation ceremony was held at UG’s Education Lecture Theatre at Turkeyen Campus, East Coast Demerara.

The election for the president and three representatives for each faculty to form the executive council was held last September 25 for students of all UG campuses.

Replacing outgoing president Shaquawn Gill, Semple is the third woman to take the oath of office in the history of the university.

Semple is hoping to contribute towards the establishment of a universal prayer room for students of all religious backgrounds, better food options, discount cards, and a UG Steel Orchestra, among other initiatives.

“I never saw myself as merely a candidate. I saw myself as a representative of your hopes and dreams; as someone who can lead with authenticity, empathy, and purpose,” she expressed after taking the oath of office.

UG Vice Chancellor, Dr Paloma Mohamed-Martin urged the students to rethink their decision to be on the executive body if their only intentions are to have access to power and resources and to be able to order people around.

“The job of representing the number of students in the university, their interest and the number of things that have to be done, the number of complaints you get, the number of navigations that you have to help students to do, the number of events, so many things that you would have to do, is going to undermine this idea that any kind of resources that you will get in return is going to be worth the effort,” she said.

“This is about work and service,” she reminded them, as she encouraged them to balance the duties that they have to perform as representatives and their school work. “We don’t want people to be failing because they are taking on student work,” she said.

Addressing the new president, she observed: “When you are a woman who is leading, you have to be careful not to lead only for women. You are a leader for everyone, for the good of everyone. And that fairness, balance and focus needs to stay with you. Otherwise, you are not going to be very effective.”

Registrar Dr. Nigel Gravesande urged the students to build confidence with the student population which he said requires self-belief and positive thinking. “Good leaders should be good orators,” he said, as he encouraged them to improve their communication skills.

“Seek intentionally to understand the perspectives of others, even if they are diametrically opposed to yours. Strive to be truthful in your dealings with the administration and with your fellow students. Build trust. Trust is earned by people through constant, honest conduct. Consider the ethical ramifications for the choices you make,” he advised.