For the first time in its 48 year history the Standard Officers (Cadet) Course of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) will receive a boost in its academic programme with the integration of an Associate Degree in General Studies from the University of Guyana (UG).
The new programme, it is hoped, will take on a transformative role and elevate the course at a level on par with similar international programmes.

The GDF and UG formally sealed the landmark collaboration on Thursday with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the Officers’ Mess Hall, Camp Ayangana. The programme which targets some 40 trainees will commence in November and will run for a two-year period. Lectures will take place at Camp Stephenson, Timehri. According to UG, the Associate Degree will be done in alignment with the course.
Chief of Staff (CoS) of the GDF, Brigadier Patrick West, said he was pleased to sign the academic collaboration which will enhance the academic programme of this and future Standard Officer’s Courses of the GDF. At the same time, he said it will develop the Agriculture Corp of UG.

“This is only part of our efforts towards the theme of effective transformation towards national defence”, West told the small gathering at the army’s headquarters.
The Cadet programme was established in 1969. It was after twelve years in that form that it evolved into the first Officer Cadet Training school within the Caribbean. It was named the Colonel Ulric Pilgrim Officer Cadet School (CUPOCS) in honour of Colonel Pilgrim, the first commander of the force. So far some 49 courses have been completed.
“The initiative will give us a more rounded and educated officer who is prepared to fulfill his role in promoting national defence,” Colonel West said.

“After graduation, students will not only receive their instruments of command, but also an associate degree from the University of Guyana.” UG’s Vice Chancellor Dr. Ivelaw Griffith said the two institutions have a critical role not only in enabling the nation with their respective individual mandates, of educating and defend. He said within those mandates, there are many elements and dynamics, some of which means that educational collaboration is critical and others which mean that other kinds of relationships are required.