NCN

University council taking corrective actions to resolve the University of Guyana's controversy.

The issuance of illegal contracts to lecturers who have reached retirement age is deemed the genesis behind the current issue that currently plagues the university of Guyana and that has led to recent on campus protest actions.

This was disclosed today by the pro chancellor, law professor and attorney at law and council member of the university during a panned discussion.

Council member and attorney at law Bibi Shadeek, during the discussion, explained the procedure behind the non renewal of such contracts particularly that of lecturer Freddie Kissoon.

“At two different appointments meeting specifically to deal with these post retirement contracts we looked at all that were given out side of the statues all were deemed null and then we discussed each one the tradition is if you are a professor or reader or senior lecturer then it's kind of not automatic but accepted that a contract can be cuz when you reach that stage you have a certain something that you can offer to the university. “

Professor Calvin Eversley said the situation that now exists is the university’s council making every effort to take corrective actions after decisions was made by someone who has no legal authority to make such decisions.

“what we sought to do is correct that problem so as not to expose the university with legal action and so all of this hullabaloo has come about regarding that particular situation so in effect you were dealing with a set of contracts that were null and void because they were issued by someone who does have the authority so where in the statutes does that persons have that authority to issue those contracts and i was rather shocked that the situation had come about really it is not something we could have sat there and allow to pass. “ he said

Meanwhile, pro chancellor of the university Dr. Prem Misir also reiterated that the current situation, described as tumultuous, must be dealt with so that the business of the university can move forward.

“In any conflict situation the resolutions to it is  that we need to have some kind of dialogue but u\you cannot in trying to forge a dialogue you cannot set up conditions up front we have to meet put all the cards on teh table and let’s talk lets about the issues “ Dr. Misir

The council earlier in the week issued a statement refuting claims circulating in the media on its decision to terminate Kissoon's services stating that decisions are made in accordance with the university's act.

Following these decisions students held a number of protest exercises in disagreement with recent decisions as well as that of transparency, accountability, better salaries, improved conditions and additional staff.