For two pairs of siblings, this year’s graduation exercise at the University of Guyana marks an extraordinary moment of family pride and achievement. Nicholas and Manisha Sagadaya, along with Xavi and Jomaine Greenidge, are among those celebrating a unique milestone at UG: graduating side by side.
United by shared challenges, support, and the special experience of earning a degree alongside a sibling, they reflect on the bonds that carried them through, celebrating not only their academic achievements, but also the powerful connection that brought them here.
For Nicholas and Manisha Sagadaya, this graduation is the culmination of an academic journey that began in nursery school. Although Nicholas has always been a year behind his sister, this time, they’ll walk across the graduation stage together.
Reflecting on their shared journey, Nicholas has said, “Graduating together feels like reaching mutual ground. Manisha has always inspired me, pushing me to excel.”
Throughout their studies, the siblings leaned on each other, supporting each other through tough times and competing in ways that fuelled their ambition. From late-night study sessions to challenging each other’s ideas, they created a foundation of growth and respect.
“It was like iron sharpening iron,” Nicholas has said in describing their partnership.
Meanwhile, Manisha sees a gap year as the twist of fate that brought their journeys into sync. It allowed them to tackle challenges together, guided by their shared motto: ‘Put your best foot forward.’
For her, this achievement is more than a degree; it’s a tribute to the partnership they’ve developed along the way.
Balancing family responsibilities with school wasn’t easy for the duo, but they drew strength from their parents’ guidance. Their mother, who wasn’t able to finish high school, instilled in them a fierce dedication to education, while their father reinforced its value as “the ticket to independence.”
In the process, the siblings have come to admire different qualities in each other. Nicholas respects his sister’s structured approach to academics, while Manisha admires her brother’s natural ease with public speaking. Inspired by Nicholas, Manisha went on to establish the UGBC Orators’ Mastery Society, helping others find confidence in their voices.
Looking ahead, they both plan to continue their studies, with Nicholas pursuing a PhD in Biodiversity and Manisha aiming for an MSc in Procurement Management. They are eager to see what the future holds, knowing they’ll always be there to support each other through every new chapter. Manisha will be graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Management, while Nicholas will be graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology.
Journey of faith, family and fortitude
Graduating alongside his brother wasn’t something Xavi Greenidge had planned, but it quickly became a meaningful chapter in his life. Xavi recalls, “Graduating together is unbelievable, especially since my programme was initially my second choice.”
When Jomaine’s acceptance letter finally arrived, both brothers felt a surge of relief — they’d be starting this journey side by side. For Jomaine, the experience made graduation even more significant. “This wasn’t part of the plan, but going through it together turned it into the ultimate celebration.”
The Greenidge brothers faced their own unique challenges along the way. With only one high-speed laptop computer between them, completing assignments tested their patience and required careful coordination.
“My laptop was painfully slow, so we had to take turns with his gaming laptop to finish assignments on time,” Xavi has said with a laugh.
The duo also juggled part-time jobs, which required resilience and careful time management. But with faith as their anchor, they pushed through. “Knowing the other understood exactly what we were going through made it easier to keep going,” Jomaine has shared.
Their parents, who always encouraged prayer and perseverance, celebrated each of their victories, and constantly reminded them of their potential. For Xavi, graduating together “is as much a tribute to them as it is to our accomplishment.”
In this journey, both brothers learned important lessons from one another. For Jomaine, Xavi’s resilience served as a powerful reminder to keep pushing forward, no matter how tough things got. Xavi, on the other hand, values the steady support his brother has shown, seeing first-hand the strength that comes from family.
As they look to the future, Xavi and Jomaine feel a renewed sense of confidence, ready to face new challenges together.
Xavi and Jomaine will be graduating with a Bachelor of Engineering (Applied and Exploration Geology) from the Faculty of Engineering and Technology.
As Nicholas, Manisha, Xavi, and Jomaine prepare to walk the graduation stage, it’s not just the end of school—it’s a celebration of everything they’ve built together. From late-night study sessions to pep talks during tough times, these siblings have shared every step, helping each other reach dreams that once felt distant. They’ve shown that family is not only who stands by you, but also who pushes you forward. With degrees in hand, they’re ready for what’s next, knowing the bond that brought them here would carry them through, no matter where life leads. (Feature written by the Department of Events of Events, Conferences and Communication (DECC), Office of the Vice-Chancellor, University of Guyana)
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