RESEARCH grants totalling U.S.$248, 522 were awarded to nine qualified academic staff members of the University of Guyana (UG) by the Ministry of Education yesterday to pursue research in Low Carbon Development (LCD) areas. At a small press briefing staged at the Ministry of Education’s boardroom, Education Minister, Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine stressed the necessity of this undertaking as it will enable Guyana to combat issues on its own, rather than summoning foreign researchers.
The University of Guyana has been plagued by several issues over the years. Therefore, this undertaking, said the Minister, will prove as a positive venture for the university as research is necessary for the development of the institution.
“Guyana needs a university that is going to play its full part in terms of delivering the intellectual and research needs that we have; and we have lots of needs,” proclaimed Dr. Roopnaraine.
Dr. Roopnaraine referred to the slight relapse of Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) in combating climate change among other issues. In this regard, the Minister indicated that he is optimistic of this research team as they will aid in the progression of the LCD areas in Guyana.
The Minister reflected on his earlier days at UG when he received his grant, so he was thrilled to assist the university in gathering vital research for its improvement.
UG Vice Chancellor Professor Jacob Opadeyi, in his remarks, lauded the progress of the previous research team since the team has managed to develop medication from local fruits. The vice chancellor took the opportunity to credit the success of that team to the Ministry of Education for affording the team the resources necessary for the research.
Opadeyi said he was expecting the same results from this team to further enhance the operations of the university’s research team and improving the quality of science education through curriculum reform, among other measures.
The researchers will be exploring: the determination of aflatoxins in paddy, rice and rice by-products in Guyana; assessing prehistoric diet breadth and settlement to model a low-carbon life way; investigating the antimicrobial potential of azadirachtaindica and syzygiumcumini seeds against microbial pathogens in diabetics’ feet; examining the impact of mining on fish diversity and diet in coastal and inland rivers of Guyana; assessing the “Greenness” of the Guyanese population and its relation to green space; designing a Dual Approach Composite Material (DACM) filter for household water treatment; assessing the wind energy potential on Guyana’s coastland; examining architectural and urban adjustments for the effective harvesting of LCDS benefits; and exploring the integration of environmental education in the mathematics curriculum.
The Minister and the vice chancellor signed the agreement for the grants in the presence of the nine researchers yesterday. The researchers are a part of the University of Guyana’s Science and Technology Support Project (UGSTSP) that caters for distinct research in boosting the university’s standards.
***Photos found in graphics folder (UG grant_SM)
Photos by Samuel Maughn
5861- Minister of Education, Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine (centre) and Vice Chancellor of the University of Guyana, Professor Jacob Opadeyi (back) pose with the researchers after they received their grants yesterday