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As the University of Guyana (UG) prepares to celebrate its 2025 graduation ceremonies this November, a few extraordinary families are preparing for a moment of shared pride. Among the 3,600 graduands set to cross the stage are three sets of siblings whose stories reflect the power of unity, love, and resilience in the face of adversity.

From Ann’s Grove on the East Coast of Demerara to Betsy Ground in East Canje, these families have weathered hardship, loss, and sacrifice to achieve a collective dream — a university education and a brighter future.

The Jarvis Brothers: Faith Through Grief

For the Jarvis brothers — Jerron, Justin, and Andrew — graduation marks not just academic success but the fulfilment of a promise to their late mother, Nurse Penelope Sertimer-Jarvis.

At 25, Jerron Jarvis will graduate with a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degree. His journey was defined by immense loss, including the death of a sibling, a close friend, and finally, his mother — just two months before his graduation.
“She always told me I’d be a doctor one day,” Jerron said. “I wanted to work alongside her—doctor and nurse, mother and son. Though she isn’t here, I know she’s proud.”

His brother, Andrew Jarvis, 33, who has worked as an auto electrician with the Ministry of Public Works for 15 years, will earn a Bachelor of Arts in Occupational Health and Safety. Balancing work, studies, and family, Andrew credits his faith for his success. “It was hard juggling everything, especially after losing our mother, but with God’s mercy, I pulled through,” he said.

Together, the Jarvis brothers’ achievement is a testament to perseverance through pain — proof that faith and family can sustain even the most broken hearts.

The Bakhsh Siblings: Determined to Succeed

Siblings Amelia and Julio Bakhsh will be graduating with Bachelor of Science in General Psychology and a Bachelor of Science in Applied and Exploration Geology respectively.

For Julio and Amelia Bakhsh, their graduation is a crowning moment not just for themselves but for their large family of seven. The siblings, who grew up on the East Coast of Demerara, will both graduate this November — Julio with a Bachelor of Science in Applied and Exploration Geology, and Amelia with a Bachelor of Science in General Psychology.

“It’s a hallmark for our family,” Amelia shared. “Julio and I are the last two to finish our degrees, and it means so much given where we came from and where we are now.”

Julio, who works with the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), managed to balance work and fatherhood, graduating top of his programme with a 3.8 GPA. Amelia, a full-time teacher who earned a government scholarship in 2022, will graduate with a 3.7 GPA. “The road wasn’t easy, but faith and family got us here,” she said.

The Baljit Sisters: From Village Dreams to University Reality

Sisters Devika and Nandani Baljit will be graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science and a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy respectively.

In Betsy Ground Village, East Canje, sisters Devika and Nandani Baljit have made family history as the first to graduate from university.

Devika, 23, will receive a Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science, and Nandani, 20, will graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy.
“This moment feels like a dream we all shared,” Devika said, while Nandani added, “Our parents made countless sacrifices, and this achievement belongs to all of us.”

Their studies began amid the COVID-19 pandemic, where online learning, frequent power outages, and poor connectivity tested their determination. When in-person classes resumed, Devika moved to Georgetown dorms while Nandani continued her studies from Berbice. The sisters remained each other’s motivation, sharing schedules and encouragement across the miles.

Now, Devika hopes to work at the New Amsterdam Hospital Laboratory and advocate for better healthcare in her community, while Nandani plans to become a certified professional accountant and inspire others to pursue higher education.

Across every story, one message resonates — that success is sweeter when it’s shared. As these siblings cross the stage this November, their caps will soar individually, but their victories will rise together.

The University of Guyana, celebrating its 62nd anniversary this year, continues to stand as a beacon of transformation. With over 11,500 students, 9 faculties, and 10 research institutes, UG has produced more than 71,000 alumni — each contributing to Guyana’s growing legacy of knowledge, resilience, and excellence.

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Drowning has been confirmed as the cause of death for two security guards who perished after their boat capsized in the Puruni River, Middle Mazaruni, earlier this week.

The deceased have been identified as 37-year-old Jerwayne Grimmond of Anna Catherina, West Coast Demerara, and 35-year-old Kevis Robin of No. 30 Village, West Coast Berbice. Post-mortem examinations conducted by Government Pathologist Dr. Nehaul Singh at the Memorial Gardens Funeral Home determined that both men died by drowning.

According to initial police reports, the incident occurred on Wednesday afternoon when an aluminium boat carrying four men was travelling from Surie Mouth Backdam to Puruni Landing. The vessel reportedly overturned mid-river, throwing all occupants into the water. Two men, including the boat’s captain, managed to swim to safety, while Grimmond and Robin were swept away by strong currents.

Search operations led by police were immediately launched. Grimmond’s body was found later that same day, while Robin’s body was recovered the following morning, on November 6. Investigators also retrieved two firearms—a shotgun and an AR-15–style rifle—along with ammunition belonging to the security company that employed the men.

Police confirmed that there were no visible marks of violence on either body. The recovered weapons and ammunition have been lodged as the investigation into the fatal incident continues.

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Acting President and Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips has urged public officials and persons of influence to lead by example and stop meddling in the work of traffic ranks, warning that such interference weakens efforts to make the country’s roads safer.

He was speaking on Friday at the official opening of Road Safety Month 2025, where he reminded that accountability and respect for law enforcement must begin at the top.

According to the Acting President, a key obstacle to safer roads is the tendency of influential figures to pressure police officers into releasing traffic offenders. “We cannot expect discipline in our streets if we keep undermining the people enforcing the law,” he cautioned.

Phillips shared that he is often contacted by friends and relatives who seek his intervention after being stopped by police officers for breaking traffic rules, but he refuses to entertain such requests.

“I get the calls, but I tell them no. The police have their job to do,” he said, noting that he recently had to remind a younger family member that officers have full authority to act as they see fit in such cases.

He recounted that when that relative attempted to hand the phone to the officer, he took the opportunity to encourage the rank directly: “I told him, don’t be intimidated. Handle the matter as you think best.”

The Prime Minister said he intends to keep sending that message clearly and consistently. “People know how I operate, don’t call me for that. If you break the law, face the consequence.”

He went on to challenge his colleagues in high office and other leaders in society to adopt a similar approach. “When those in power refuse to interfere, it sends the right signal and strengthens road discipline,” he stated.

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Some 1,345 new teachers graduated from the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) on Friday after successfully completing training in different fields; it marks one of the largest graduating cohort in the country’s history.

Held under the theme, “Empowering Educators, Inspiring Futures: A Legacy of Excellence,” the ceremony which was kept at the Providence National Stadium, celebrated the resilience and dedication of a new generation of educators — those who endured the challenges of the pandemic and emerged ready to transform classrooms across the country.

Minister of Education Sonia Parag, delivering the keynote address, praised the graduates for their perseverance and reaffirmed government’s commitment to ensuring that a trained teacher staffs every classroom.

“After this graduation, the percentage of trained teachers in the hinterland will be close to 92 per cent,” Parag said to loud applause.

New teachers at the graduation ceremony

Parag reminded the new teachers that education is the foundation of national development.

“The country cannot transform without our human capital transforming with it. Being a teacher means being a lifelong learner, constantly seeking new ways to inspire and engage your students.”

This year’s graduating cohort include 388 in Early Childhood Education, 384 in Primary Education, 303 in Secondary (TVET, GTE, and TTE), and 35 in other specializations.

“I implore on you that as you step out of this college to take with you every ounce of training, experience and impart it in a manner in which delivery will not be momentous but impactful in the classroom,” Parag urged the new teachers.

CPCE also recorded an impressive 94.25 percent matriculation rate, a reflection of the institution’s strengthened training systems. Since 2020, more than 6,000 teachers have graduated from CPCE, while another 1,456 new students are currently enrolled across 20 satellite centers nationwide.

Delivering the charge to the graduates, Dr Kofi Dalrymple, Advisor to the Ministry of Education on Tertiary Reform, challenged the new educators to embrace their influence.

“Never underestimate the power you hold.

“In every classroom, under every tree, in every virtual lesson, you shape destinies. Education is not merely instruction It is transformation, the daily renewing of our minds,” Dr Dalrymple said.

He urged them to teach with compassion and courage. “Teach not what is written, but what is right. Go forth as teachers, as nation builders, as guardians of Guyana’s promise,” he said.

CPCE’s leadership, in its annual report, reaffirmed the college’s commitment to furnishing the nation’s schools with 100 percent trained teachers.

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Press Release from the National Sports Commission

The National Sports Commission (NSC) will on Saturday night (November 8) host its first-ever black-tie edition of the National Sports Awards, a landmark event that promises to elevate the prestige and presentation of Guyana’s top sporting honour.

The gala takes place from 19:00h at the Pegasus Suites and Corporate Centre, celebrating athletes, coaches, officials and associations for their outstanding achievements throughout 2024.

According to Director of Sport, Steve Ninvalle, the event signals a new era for the National Sports Awards, which date back to 1970.

Ninvalle described this year’s ceremony as a reflection of the government’s growing investment and appreciation for local sportsmen and women.

“This new approach adds to the many changes introduced under the leadership of Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr., and demonstrates our commitment to raising the standards of sport in every possible way,” Ninvalle said.

The NSC’s selection committee recently completed its deliberations following a detailed review of submissions from national federations.

Ninvalle commended the panel for what he called a “transparent and merit-based selection process”, ensuring that the most deserving individuals and organisations receive recognition.

“The committee has done an exceptional job in ensuring fairness and transparency. Their work guarantees that the winners truly represent the best of Guyana’s sporting talent,” Ninvalle added.

Leading this year’s line-up of honourees is national footballer Omari Glasgow, Guyana’s all-time leading goal scorer and a strong contender for Sportsman-of-the-Year.

Glasgow’s stellar run in the CONCACAF Nations League earned him both the Best Young Player Award and Top Scorer Award, as he propelled the Golden Jaguars to a historic promotion to League A.

The 21-year-old striker, who has notched 21 goals in 33 international appearances, is joined on the shortlist by bodybuilder Nicholas Albert, who earned his IFBB Pro Card in 2024, Olympian Emanuel Archibald, and national cricketer Ashmead Nedd.

The Junior Sportsman-of-the-Year category features four rising stars- track athletes Kaidon Persaud and Malachi Austin, swimmer Raekwon Noel, and chess prodigy Sachin Pitamber- each having achieved remarkable feats on both regional and international stages.

Among the women, the Sportswoman-of-the-Year award will see a strong contest between squash stars Nicholette Fernandes and Ashley Khalil, Taekwondo standout Ceili Peterson, and bodybuilding sensation Rosanna Fung, whose performances continue to elevate Guyana’s reputation on the world fitness stage.

For the Junior Sportswoman-of-the-Year, Athaleyah Hinckson is among the favourites after making history by winning Guyana’s first-ever gold medal in the CARIFTA Games U-17 women’s 100m, then following up with gold at the South American U-20 Championships.

She will face tough competition from Tianna Springer, the CARIFTA 400m champion, and other young talents.

The Coach-of-the-Year field includes Julian Edmonds of the Running Brave Track Club, who guided both Austin and Hinckson to success, alongside Ryan Hercules (cricket) and Joseph “Bill” Wilson (GDF Football Club), whose leadership shaped their teams’ winning performances.

Meanwhile, four associations- the Guyana Basketball Federation, Guyana Chess Association, Guyana Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation, and Guyana Golf Association- are vying for the Association of the Year title, recognising excellence in administration and development.

In the Sports Official of the Year category, GBF President Michael Singh, FIFA referee Shavin Greene, Vidish Sookram (bodybuilding), and Kerwyn Johnson headline the male nominees, while Natasha George, Denisha Isaacs, and Aileen Bowman-Joseph lead the female shortlist.

The Media Awards will see a tussle between top sports journalists Rawle Toney (Kaieteur News), Michelangelo Jacobus (Stabroek News), Jemima Holmes (Guyana Times), Akeem Greene (News Room), Avenash Ramzan (News Room) and Eric Collymore (NCN).

Additionally, NAMILCO, Ansa McAl, ENet, Bluewater Shipping, MVP Sports, ExxonMobil, Trophy Stall, and Sublime Security have been shortlisted for Corporate Sponsor of the Year, acknowledging their consistent support and investment in local sport.

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McLaren’s Lando Norris said taking pole position for Saturday’s sprint race was a “good start” to his Sao Paulo Grand Prix weekend.

The Briton said he was “confident” in dry conditions, but the sprint – which is due to start at 14:00 GMT, 11:00 in Sao Paulo – could be affected by an expected overnight storm.

“We have to prepare for both conditions,” said Norris, who starts two places ahead of team-mate and title rival Oscar Piastri.

“I expect the morning to be heavy rain and incredibly windy. Let’s wait and see what happens.”

Norris, who heads Piastri by one point in the championship after winning the Mexico City Grand Prix two weeks ago, beat Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli by 0.097 seconds in sprint qualifying, while Piastri was 0.185secs adrift of the Briton in third.

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, the only other realistic title contender at 36 points behind Norris, could manage only sixth, beaten by Mercedes’ George Russell and Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso.

Norris added: “Car has been performing well. Not nice enough that I’m happy about everything. Some things to improve on for qualifying. Sprint race, if I can cruise to victory that would be beautiful.”

Lewis Hamilton was knocked out in the second session and qualified 11th in his Ferrari, his final lap in the second session ruined when team-mate Charles Leclerc spun in front of him out of Turn 10.

Hamilton also faces an investigation for failing to slow sufficiently for the yellow flags waved when Leclerc lost control.

Norris’ result is the best possible start to the weekend and gives him the opportunity to build his championship lead – eight points are awarded to the winner of the sprint, seven for second and so on down to eighth place.

Norris topped all three sessions in sprint qualifying and had a comfortable advantage over Piastri throughout.

He said: “It was a little bit tougher than I would have liked. But we did the job we needed to do, which was to be fastest today.

“Qualifying is always one of the best things here. It’s difficulty, it’s bumpy, it’s tricky, always a joy, always puts a smile on your face.

“But a long weekend, another qualifying and another couple of races to go but a good start.” (BBC)

 

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In a sport defined by speed and silverware, the Top Power Racing team, led by Chief Mechanic Brian TenPow, continues to set an almost unreachable standard in Guyanese motorsport.

At the heart of this success is Shan Seejatan, who recently clinched a staggering eighth Group Two Championship, a feat that firmly cements his legacy as one of the country’s most successful drivers.

Yet, despite an undeniable track record, TenPow highlights a frustrating irony. As he noted in a comment, Seejatan’s brilliance is often met with unwarranted critique rather than the widespread celebration it warrants.

Seejatan’s dominance in the recent Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) Race of Champions was absolute, extending far beyond his signature Group 2 class.

• Group 2: Piloting the formidable Honda Civic prepared by TenPow and his crew, Seejatan was the outright favourite. He delivered with two wins from two races (the third was cancelled), but the accurate measure of their success was the team’s relentless pursuit of perfection. Seejatan unofficially shattered the class lap record, clocking a blistering 1:23.937, a significant improvement on the 1:24.681 set earlier in the year.

• Vitz Cup: Taking on the ultra-competitive Vitz Cup A class in a Toyota prepared by Balram Ramdeo’s team, Seejatan secured two wins and a second-place finish, engaging in thrilling, close-quarters battles with long-time rival Rameez Mohamed.

• Sport Tuner: The weekend started tough for the Sport Tuner class, with an unfortunate DNF in the opening race after contact. However, Seejatan demonstrated his championship mettle by fighting back in the stacked field. He clocked the fastest time of the second race (finishing second) and finally secured the elusive win in the final heat.

  The Group two Honda Civic that reset the lap record (PHOTO: Mike Gonsalves)

The team’s results weren’t confined to Seejatan’s efforts, with teammates Naresh Alves and Zachary Persaud also delivering strong performances:

• Naresh Alves proved a force in the highly competitive Street Tuner class, consistently demonstrating the performance potential of the Top Power-prepared machinery.
• Zachary Persaud also represented the team effectively in the Vitz Cup B category, showcasing the team’s depth across multiple classes.

Speaking after the Clash of Champions haul, Seejatan immediately deflected the praise, stressing the importance of the crew.

“I, of course, have to thank Balram (Ramdeo) and his team for putting together the Toyota Vitz…I think the work that went into that car to get it where it was on race day was amazing,” Seejatan commented on his Vitz Cup success.

On the Group 2 machine, he praised his Chief Mechanic: “We knew that coming into this weekend, we would have a target on our backs and a lot of guys would be gunning for us, so we couldn’t afford to get it wrong. And that’s where Brian (Ten-Pow) and his team came in. We were able to ensure that we bettered our lap record from earlier this year by close to half a second, which shows that we found improvements in the car.”

Crucially, he gave credit to the whole crew: “Rajiv Rajaram, my tuner for the cars, was able to root out some key issues, and the other guys Ravi, Stefan, Anthony, Bomber, all of them put their heads together and made sure that we came out on top at the end of the day and I owe it to those guys.”

TenPow, a veteran who has honed his craft working with prestigious names like the Pro Drive Works WRC Subaru rally cars in the United Kingdom, as well as teams across the US, Europe, and the UK, voiced his disappointment over the attitude towards their dominance, noting that their success should serve to inspire growth and competitiveness in the sport.

TenPow emphasised that the technical knowledge fuelling their machines is not a secret, deriving from years of personal learning, mentorship from his brothers Errol and Elson, friend Gord Bush, and global motor racing experience.

“The knowledge I use comes from what I’ve learned over the years. A lot of that information is out there, freely available to anyone willing to look, read, and learn,” he noted.

In a clear message to rivals and critics, Ten0Pow concluded: “We’ll continue to let our results speak for themselves. Racing has always been about passion, performance and pride.”

Seejatan and Top Power Racing were supported last weekend by Special Auto the Filter Shop, Trans Pacific Motor Spares, and Blue Springs Water.

 

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Guyanese batting trio- Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Tevin Imlach and Kevlon Anderson- is part of a West Indies high-performance camp in Antigua ahead of the Test series against New Zealand in December.

Below is the full text of a release issued by Cricket West Indies on Friday.

Cricket West Indies (CWI) has announced the start of a High-Performance preparation camp in Antigua, running from November 4-18, as part of the build-up to the December 2-22 three-match Test series leg of the West Indies Men’s tour to New Zealand.

The camp will feature a select group of senior and developing players identified for their potential to feature in the series and future international assignments. It will focus on technical and tactical refinement, match simulation, and mental readiness to adapt to New Zealand’s challenging conditions.

Training sessions will be held at the Coolidge Cricket Ground (CCG), with support from CWI’s High-Performance coaching and sports science teams. Players will also undergo structured load monitoring, wellness oversight and gym-based strength and conditioning programmes, all aligned with CWI’s High-Performance protocols.

The camp will be led by Ramesh Subasinghe, Head Coach of the West Indies Academy, and Rohan Nurse, Assistant Coach, who will oversee tactical and technical development. CWI’s Senior Talent Manager, Jamal Smith, along with developing pathway coach, Shane Dowrich, will provide additional coaching and coordination support over the two-week period.

CWI Director of Cricket Miles Bascombe commented: “This camp is designed to give players a focused opportunity to prepare for the specific challenges of playing in New Zealand. For the batsmen, it’s about targeted work on areas where they’ve shown vulnerability and adapting to the conditions they’ll face. For the bowlers, it’s about managing their workloads effectively and identifying the lengths and areas that have proven successful in New Zealand.”

“It’s a practical, purposeful camp — one that allows the group to refine key aspects of their game while building cohesion and clarity ahead of the tour. The goal is to make the most of this preparation window, so the players are ready to compete with confidence and intent.”

Participating in the camp will be recent Test match selectees Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Tevin Imlach, Anderson Phillip, Johann Layne, Kevlon Anderson and John Campbell, who scored his maiden century against India in the second Test at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Dehli on October 9.

Other participants include Ojay Shields, Kavem Hodge and veteran fast bowler Kemar Roach. (CWI)

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The Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) has expanded its curriculum to include several new specialised programmes aimed at strengthening teacher training and promoting inclusive education.

Minister of Education, Sonia Parag, announced on Friday during CPCE’s graduation ceremony held at the National Stadium, Providence, where 1,345 teachers graduated.

For the first time, CPCE will offer new subject-specific training for secondary school teachers in Geography, History, Chemistry, Physics, French, and Portuguese.

Additionally, the college has introduced a one-year Health and Family Life Education programme tailored for guidance and counselling officers, and a six-week training course for parents of children with special needs.

CPCE 2025 graduates

“These new programmes are part of our broader efforts to ensure that every classroom is equipped with well-trained, well-rounded teachers,” Minister Parag said, noting that approximately 68 percent of teachers nationwide are now trained, up from previous years.

The Minister emphasised that the new initiatives reflect government’s commitment to building a world-class education system.
“We are making strides, and we are most certain that we are moving towards world-class education,” she said.

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