In a remarkable journey from Venezuela to the podium as University of Guyana’s (UG) 2024 Valedictorian, Shaneeza Persaud’s story is one of resilience, self-discovery, and hard work. Born to a Venezuelan mother and a Guyanese father, Shaneeza’s connection to Guyana was always close to her heart, despite spending much of her childhood in Venezuela. When it came time to pursue her degree, Shaneeza made the bold decision to study in Guyana, the place she fondly calls “home,” embracing both the academic and personal challenges that awaited her.
Shaneeza’s path to earning a Bachelor of Science in Marketing at UG’s School of Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation (SEBI) was far from easy. Initially, she navigated her studies online due to the pandemic. When she finally moved to Guyana in 2023, Shaneeza faced the added challenge of adjusting to life in a new country on her own. Living independently for the first time, she took on household responsibilities, adapted to her surroundings, and juggled the demands of her coursework. Reflecting on her experience, she shared, “Believing in myself, believing I could handle the stress and pressure was something I struggled with throughout my degree.”
The struggles Shaneeza faced didn’t stop there. “This was one of the hardest, most challenging periods of my life,” she recalled. “There were days when I wouldn’t eat in order to get everything done on time.” Despite these hardships, Shaneeza persevered, immersing herself in university life and taking on leadership roles. She served as a faculty representative and became active in the University of Guyana Student Society (UGSS), dedicating herself to building a sense of community on campus.
Her hard work and dedication culminated in her selection as UG’s 2024 Valedictorian—a moment of disbelief and immense pride. “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 said. Her immediate thought was to share the news with her parents, whose support had been her anchor throughout the journey. “The sacrifices my parents made for me to attend university in Guyana… there will never be enough words to express my gratitude to them. This achievement is for them,” she added.
Shaneeza’s journey to becoming Valedictorian is a testament not only to her academic success but also to the strength she drew from family and friends, both near and far. While her family was physically distant, their encouragement was unwavering. In Guyana, her friends became her “family away from home,” providing the companionship and support she needed.
Currently in China to perfect her Mandarin in a language program, Shaneeza is unable to accept her valedictorian honors in person, but she is determined to use her degree to make a positive impact. “With a degree in Marketing, I’m excited to leverage the power of effective communication to positively impact my community and field,” she said. Looking forward, she plans to pursue a master’s degree, with aspirations to help businesses connect with audiences in meaningful ways that reflect Guyana’s unique culture and values.
As she reflects on her time at UG, Shaneeza sees it as a transformative period that prepared her for the future. Once shy, she now faces new challenges with confidence and is eager to make her family, friends, and community proud.
Other Top Honorees at UG’s 2024 Graduation
Shaneeza’s achievement is part of a broader celebration of excellence at the University of Guyana. Other awardees include Sherwin Nicholson, who won the Campus Award for Best Graduating Student at Berbice Campus; Amisha Mohanlall, who earned both the Chancellor’s Medal for Second-Best Graduating Student and the Prime Minister’s Award for Best Graduating Student in Medicine; and Adrian Mc Lean, who received the Prime Minister’s Medal for Best Graduating Student in Public Management.
The University of Guyana will host its graduation ceremonies from November 7–9 for Turkeyen graduands and on November 16 for Berbice graduands. The ceremonies will be blended, allowing both in-person and virtual attendance. The public is invited to join the celebrations, which will be streamed live on the University’s Facebook page. (Extracted and modified from the Universoty of Guyana.)
