AS GOVERNMENT works towards the digitisation of public records and the increased use of Information Communication Technology (ICT), an online application process for national scholarships is expected to be launched in 2018.

At the same time, while government pursues its “green agenda,” special considerations are being given to current applicants, who wish to pursue studies in fields relevant to the petroleum sector. According to a release from the Ministry of the Presidency , the Department of Public Service, which falls under its purview, is working to develop the digitization process, which it noted will work in tandem with the department’s efforts of improve the process and ensure public accountability and transparency.

Head of the Public Service and Permanent Secretary of the Department of Public Service, Reginald Brotherson, noted that the department is hoping to modernise its application system as soon as possible. He highlighted the transparent process, which he said is created and managed to afford Guyanese scholarship opportunities. On this note, he said a National Panel, the first in this regard, has been established to select applicants. The panel consists of professionals from the Education Ministry, private and other sectors, who have been tasked with shortlisting and interviewing applicants, the release said.

Current members of the panel include veteran educators, Ingrid Fung and Ms. Donna Chapman, Private Sector Commission (PSC) representative, Elizabeth Alleyne, Claudette Austin of the University of Guyana (UG) and Executive Director of the Public Service Staff College, Randolph Leitch. According to the release, the scholarship packages for local applicants cover all costs, including local field trips, tuition, facilities’ fees and final year projects, including the completion of the research paper.

Beneficiaries are also afforded a travel allowance and a book allowance among others. Scholarships at the University of Guyana are available for studies in several fields, including Forestry, Agriculture, Dentistry, Medicine, Environmental Health and Optometry.

Since July 2015 more than 500 applications have been processed, the release stated. The Department is currently supporting 186 students studying abroad and another 705, who are pursuing studies locally. As part of the requirements for scholarships, applicants must be 35 years or under and in good health to qualify. He/she must gain admission to the University they wish to attend and must have a valid Guyana passport.

Applicants who are already students must have a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.7 or above, while foreign students must have a 3.0 GPA or 75 percent. All applications are reviewed by the panel and applicants are shortlisted and invited for interviews. Applicants are graded on several areas, including relevance of scholarship, adaptability and their ability to cope in a different environment, experience in the field, maturity and knowledge of the field of studies. Once the points have been tallied from the interviews, the recommendations are then sent to the Permanent Secretary and the Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, who has responsibility for the Public Service sector.

Meanwhile, the report noted that while overseas-based awardees have their tuitions and airfares paid for by the host country in most cases, the Government of Guyana also provides some allowances. These include travel in the event of loss of parent or an emergency.

Brotherson said that strict adherence to the Public Service rules are undertaken for public servants, who are desirous of furthering their studies as well as the time necessary to do so.