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A historic moment unfolded at the National Cultural Centre as hundreds of scholars from Texila American University (TAU) graduated under the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) initiative. The event was honored by the presence of His Excellency, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, President of Guyana, who delivered a stirring & patriotic keynote address. The degree scrolls were officially conferred by Hon. Sonia Parag, Minister of Public Service, alongside Prof. Dr. Jacob Opadeyi, Director of the GOAL program.
Graduation Overview
A total of 150 students from Texila American University graduated across three Master’s programs:
- Master of Business Administration (MBA) – 96 graduates
(Female: 60, Male: 36) - Master of Public Health (MPH) – 49 graduates
(Female: 35, Male: 14) - Master of Science in Information Technology (MSIT) – 5 graduates
(Male: 3, Female: 2)
These students were part of the 2022 GOAL Scholarship cohort, and the graduation success rate stands impressively at 93.16%.
Welcome and Opening Remarks
The ceremony also featured welcome remarks by Prof. Dr. Jacob Opadeyi, Director of the GOAL program, and opening remarks from Hon. Dr. Ashni Singh, Senior Minister in the Office of the President for Finance., underscoring the government’s strong commitment to education and workforce development.
Keynote Address by Hon. President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali
President Ali, addressing a full house, hailed the graduates as “living proof of a revolution in education,” adding that the GOAL program has fundamentally changed how Guyana delivers equitable education.
“This is a revolution in education. And every one of you is living proof,” he declared.
He emphasized that graduation is not an endpoint but the beginning of responsibility.
“Your responsibility does not end here. In fact, it begins here.”
Dr. Ali urged graduates to translate their academic achievement into community leadership, ethical decision-making, and national development.
“The future of Guyana does not rest on buildings; it rests in the minds, the hearts, and the hands of people like you.”
President Ali also highlighted the deeper mission of the GOAL initiative:
“We were not just thinking about certificates. We were thinking about doors, about access, about thousands of talented Guyanese who had never been able to walk through the doors of higher learning.”
Since its inception in 2021, over 30,000 scholarships have been awarded, with more than 70% going to women, reinforcing Guyana’s push for inclusive and accessible education.
Source: https://dpi.gov.gy/guyanas-future-rests-in-you-president-ali-tells-goal-graduates/
Degrees Conferred by Hon. Minister. Sonia Parag
Minister of Public Service, Hon. Sonia Parag, formally presented the degree scrolls to the graduates of TAU’s MBA, MPH, and MSIT programs, reinforcing the government’s active role in nurturing a skilled workforce through public-private academic partnerships.
A Proud Moment for TAU and GOAL
During the ceremony, Mr. Saravanan K R, Academic Head at TAU, along with the graduates, had the privilege of capturing a moment with President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, symbolizing the strong collaboration and shared commitment between the university and the national vision for capacity building.
About the GOAL Program
The Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) was launched to democratize higher education, particularly for rural communities, single parents, and working professionals. With over G$12.5 billion invested so far, the program continues to drive Guyana’s human capital development.
Acknowledgements and Thanks
Texila American University extends its sincere gratitude to the Government of Guyana, the Ministry of Public Service, Prof.Dr.Jacob Opadeyi, Director of the GOAL, and his dedicated team for their unwavering support and commitment to advancing accessible higher education.
We also congratulate all the graduates for their hard work and dedication in reaching this significant milestone. Your success is a testament to the power of collaboration between education and government in building a brighter future for Guyana.
Authored by,
Saravanan K. R.
Academic Head, Texila American University