Shaneeza Persaud, this year’s University of Guyana Valedictorian, has a story that reflects resilience, hard work, and an inspiring journey of self-discovery. Her journey to achieving academic glory is one that many will find very interesting and inspiring. Born in Venezuela to a Venezuelan mother and a Guyanese father, Shaneeza’s connection to Guyana runs deep. Although she spent most of her childhood in Venezuela, her heart longed to return to the place she fondly calls “home.” So, when it was time to pursue her degree, she chose to study in Guyana, undeterred by the challenges that awaited her.
Shaneeza’s path to completing a Bachelor of Science in Marketing at UG’s School of Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation (SEBI) was anything but smooth. Initially, she faced the daunting task of adapting to a new country after many years of being away. Her early university days were spent online due to the pandemic, but when she finally moved to Guyana in 2023, she encountered a new wave of challenges. Living alone for the first time, she had to manage household responsibilities, find her way around a new environment, and tackle a demanding academic workload. Reflecting on the experience, she shared, “Believing in myself, believing I could handle the stress and pressure was something I struggled with during the entire four years of my degree.”
Shaneeza had to navigate life independently. “This was one of the hardest, most challenging periods of my life. I was alone in a country I hadn’t been in for years…There were days when I wouldn’t eat in order to get everything done on time,” she recalled. Despite these challenges, she persevered and immersed herself fully in university life. She took on the role of faculty representative and became active in the University of Guyana Student Society (UGSS), demonstrating her commitment to building a supportive community around her.
Shaneeza’s dedication and hard work culminated in her being named UG’s 2024 Valedictorian—a moment that came as a shock to her. “When I received the call from my professor, it was 12 a.m. here in China…I was genuinely speechless for a few seconds, processing the information,” she recalled. Her first thought was to share the good news with her parents, despite the miles between them. “There was nothing I would’ve wanted more than to be able to tell them in person and share this beautiful moment with them,” she shared. For Shaneeza, the valedictorian title goes beyond recognition; it represents “a journey of growth, resilience, and perseverance.”
Shaneeza’s achievements did not come without the support of her family and friends. Though they were physically distant, her family remained close in spirit. “The sacrifices my parents made for me to be able to attend university in Guyana…there will never be enough words to showcase my gratitude to them. This achievement is for them. If there were ever moments when I wanted to give up, my parents would always come to mind, leading me to start over with more vigour and renewed courage. From my days of logging into class on my mom’s laptop back in Venezuela to leaning on them from afar while I was in Guyana, I owe this milestone to them,” she proudly said.
The valedictorian added that her friends in Guyana became her “family away from home,” providing companionship, understanding, and a sense of belonging during challenging times. Additionally, she praised the valuable support provided by faculty and admin staff at the University of Guyana.
Shaneeza expressed that she would have liked to be in Guyana to accept the highly coveted prize in person; however, she is already enrolled in a language programme to perfect her Mandarin in China—a step she believes will broaden her horizons in both her personal and professional life.
Looking ahead, Shaneeza is preparing to pursue a master’s degree, with aspirations to make a meaningful impact in her field. “With a degree in Marketing, I’m excited to leverage the power of effective communication to positively impact my community and field,” she shared. Her vision is to help local businesses and organisations connect with audiences in ways that reflect the unique culture and values of Guyana.
As she looks back, Shaneeza sees her time at the University of Guyana as a transformative period that allowed her to grow in ways she never anticipated. Once a shy individual, she now steps forward with confidence, ready to face new challenges and continue making her family, friends, and community proud.
There are several other awards for Open Prizes for the Academic Year 2023/2024. These include:
1. The President’s Medal for Best Graduating Bachelor’s Degree Student
– Shaneeza Persaud (2024; Valedictorian), BSc Marketing, School of Entrepreneurship & Business Innovation.
2. Campus Award for Best Graduating Student at Each Campus Other than the Winner of the President’s Medal
– Sherwin Nicholson, BEd (Secondary) Concentration: (Mathematics Education) Division of Education and Humanities, UGBC.
3. The Chancellor’s Medal for The Second-Best Graduating Bachelor’s Degree Student
– Amisha Mohanlall, College of Medical Sciences, Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS).
4. The Prime Minister’s Award for the Best Graduating Student in the School of Medicine
– Amisha Mohanlall, College of Medical Sciences, Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS).
5. The Prime Minister’s Medal for the Best Graduating Student with the Degree in Public Management
– Adrian Mc Lean, Social Sciences, Bachelor of Social Science (Public Management).
6. The Pro-Chancellor’s Medal for the Best Graduating Law Student at the University of Guyana
– Phillipe Walker, Social Sciences, Bachelor of Laws.
7. The Council of The University Prize for the Graduating Student Who Has Attained At Least A ‘Pass With Credit’ And Has Made The Greatest Contribution In Other Areas Of University Activities
– Alicia Samaroo, Social Sciences, Bachelor of Social Science (Business Economics).
8. The University Students’ Society Awards for the Graduating Student (Other Than The Winner Of The Council’s Prize), Who Has Attained At Least A ‘Pass With Credit’ And Has Made An Outstanding Contribution In Other Areas Of University Activities
– Manisha Sagadaya, Division of SEBI, UGBC, Bachelor of Science (Management) and Shaquawn Gill, Social Sciences, Bachelor of Science (Communication Studies).
9. The K.A. Juman-Yassin Sport Award for a Graduating Student Who Has Participated at a Constantly High Standard in Sports
– Keon Schwiers, Division of Social Sciences, UGBC, Bachelor of Social Science (Public Management) and Shaquawn Gill, Social Sciences, Bachelor of Science (Communication Studies).
10. The Dennis Irvine Award for the Student Who Has Made The Greatest Contribution To The Cultural Life Of The University
– Nathan Prince, Natural Sciences, Bachelor of Science (Biology) and William Richmond, Social Sciences, Bachelor of Social Science (Social Work).
(University of Guyana Feature)
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