By: Marvin Cato | HGP Nightly News |
A “transformative experience.”
That’s how Adonesse Francis, the Second Best Graduating Student of Texila American University Guyana, described her academic journey as the institution held its 17th Graduation Ceremony on Friday.
GOAL Director Urges Graduates to Write Their Own Story
Delivering the feature address, Dr. Jacob Opadeyi, Director of the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL), urged graduates to take control of their future narratives.
“The essence of this personal story is for you to start writing your own story. Don’t let friends, colleagues, or even your spouse write it for you,”
Dr. Opadeyi emphasized.
He reminded the 50-member graduating class to embrace innovation and change in their professional pursuits.
“Don’t start employment tomorrow and follow procedures that are 20 years old in your department. You must disrupt the market, disrupt the system, and bring the knowledge you have learned to the workplace,” he said.
Dr. Opadeyi congratulated the graduates — 38 from the field of medicine, 11 from business, and 1 from public health — while commending their persistence and resilience through late nights and sacrifices.
Texila Continues to Strengthen Its Academic Reputation
Dr. Dheeraj Bansal, Chief Academic Officer and Dean of the College of Medicine, acknowledged the determination of students who overcame academic and emotional hurdles throughout their studies.
“Our students made critical decisions under pressure, engaged with patients from diverse backgrounds, and developed the empathy needed to treat patients and their families,” Dr. Bansal stated.
He also announced key institutional advancements, including upgrades to the simulation lab and the acquisition of three new medical facilities, further strengthening the University’s commitment to hands-on medical education.
Since its establishment in 2012, Texila American University Guyana has achieved simultaneous accreditation from three separate international bodies, a milestone reflecting its academic growth and global recognition.
A Journey of Faith, Perseverance, and Transformation
Reflecting on her experience, Adonesse Francis described her journey as one that reshaped her both academically and personally.
“It wasn’t just a path of demanding studies — it was a deeply transformative experience. There were moments of challenge, countless late nights, and the relentless pressure of absorbing the vastness of human anatomy and disease,” Francis said.
The Chancellor’s Award and Best Graduating Student title were presented to Folayemi Iwaloye, who also delivered a heartfelt valedictory address highlighting the collective perseverance of the Class of 2025.
