By Zena Henry

IN KEEPING with Guyana’s growing economy the University of Guyana (UG), is gearing towards the launch of its first ever business school come September.The announcement was made on Friday when the university held the launch of another one of its annual Career Day events.

University Registrar, Dr. Nigel Gravesande, told a gathering of primary and secondary school students, teachers, private and public company representatives, that the university is embarking on the launch of the business school to offer specially tailored content to the industry.

According to Gravesande, all efforts are being made to open the School of Business, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, which would increase the number of business owners and to improve the professional quality of those persons. It was stated that the school will focus on more than the academic aspect of the subject area; it will encourage students to build on their passions, talents and dreams. The content will focus on self-empowerment, the Registrar asserted.

“The intention is that the student must have an opportunity where they create their own business rather than to be employees. So entrepreneurship, business and innovation, it is to nurture that talent.” Gravesande continued that much work was placed in the consideration of the business school, noting that imperial research and analysis was placed into the idea. He said it is therefore, “based on the need to transform the Guyanese economy to deal with the opportunities presented as a result of globalization. “

The Registrar also pointed to the upcoming oil sector, stating that the raring of knowledgeable and professional persons in this field will help them to deal with whatever issues they may face in the business arena. Apart from the business school, the attendees were also told that the post-grad programmes to soon come will see the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry providing Master’s Degree in agro-technology and business. In the Faculty of Education and Humanity, a Doctorate in Philosophy, English literature, Linguistics, Comparative literature, education and History will be offered.

A Master’s Degree will also be available in the areas of Philosophy, Literature, Linguistics, History, early childhood development and education. The University’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Ivelaw Griffith, in his feature address drove home the idea of creating dreams and going after it. Fitting for the career day occasion, the VC told students that they should always dream big, but urged them that dreams and actions go hand in hand.

“Your success in crossing the educational sea, requires effort; it requires you to dream, but also requires you to do,” the VC stated. In his three tips for aspiring university students, he told them that they should always strive for excellence by pushing themselves to do better and overcome. He told the students “earn it yourself.” In that they make the effort to do for themselves rather than depending on others. The VC’s message also pertained to students displaying integrity by earning their stripes rather than depend on others or earning their achievements dishonestly.

The VC promised two lucky students scholarships and other benefits should they make it to the UG. The young ladies had partially answered questions posed to the audience for a prize of US$500. The VC received resounding applause for his generosity. Several companies also received certificates from the UG for their continuous participation in the school’s annual career day event. It was said that more than 50 companies participated in the event. Some of those agencies included the Guyana Power and Light, Guyana Geology and Mines Commission, Guyana Energy Agency, Revenue Authority, and commercial banks among many others.