EIGHT research agreements were signed yesterday by academic staffers of the University of Guyana (UG) who were awarded grants by the Ministry of Education.The signing was to facilitate the stimulation of researching in low carbon development (LCD) areas through the UG Science and Technology Support Project (UGSTSP).
The objective of the progamme is to strengthen the four science and technology faculties at the institution, namely Agriculture and Forestry, Natural Sciences, Technology and School of Earth and Environmental Sciences.
The awards followed stipulated guidelines and procedures which commenced with the publication of a ‘Call for Proposals’ and culminated with the inking of the documentation yesterday.
Addressing the gathering was Minister of Education, Ms. Priya Manickchand, who acknowledged that the World Bank financed a loan for facilitating this programme.
She disclosed that the arrangements which envelope the LCD projects are estimated to cost some US$329,000 and said it is a manifestation of the Government’s commitment to improve education in the country.
The Minister pointed out that, through this initiative, Guyana will be producing people who have the potential to change the social and economical framework of the society for the better.
Talented students
“We have to provide the opportunity for the talented students to lead in these areas. Guyanese are talented and we always have the resources,” she said, while congratulating the awardees.
Vice-Chancellor, Professor Jacob Opadeyi also expressed the view that this is a milestone which seeks to transform the culture of UG.
He thanked the World Bank for its significant assistance and added that UG has a responsibility on its hand as the “process” of the project is vitally important.
Opadeyi explained that those who received the grants went through a competitive procedure of being analysed, locally and internationally, to fit the criteria necessary for approval.
It is expected that the result of the investigations will lead to the formulation of public policy recommendations and development of LCDS relevant services.
Overall, it is anticipated that a total of 40 grants will be funded under the scheme intended to provide the enabling environment for sustainable research and knowledge generation not only at the University but at the national level.
The undertaking is being funded with a US$10M loan from the World Bank secured by the Government of Guyana, in its efforts to enhance the quality of education provided at UG.