…to make the administration of scholarship awarding more transparent

GUYANESE in need of scholarships to further their education both locally and abroad can look forward to much more accessible opportunities, following yesterday’s launching of the Department of Public Service’s scholarship website.

The site, designed only by Guyanese, caters for prospective scholars, current scholars and public servants, who will be able to access opportunities rendered by the government and other donor organisations.

The Public Service Department partnered with the Ministry of Education utilising its smart classroom at the National Centre for Education Resource Development (NCERD), to host the launching and to have demonstrations on use of the website.
The new site will allow individuals to: see the programmes available for scholarship; download, fill out and upload application forms; log in to personal profiles to receive and send information; and upload and update their qualifications. The site displays the number of persons studying overseas along with a host of other features.

Once an individual registers, any scholarship that becomes available to which an applicant meets the criteria. That individual will be notified immediately by means of email or phone and will not have to register once again.

Delivering opening remarks, Permanent Secretary of the Department of the Public Service and Ministry of the Presidency, Reginald Brotherson, said that the website will transform Guyana in the area of scholarship application and attainment.

He pointed out that Guyanese scholars, both past and present, have contributed to the local intellectual landscape and that this new systematic approach will open more opportunities for Guyanese, while transforming the former “poorly administered system” to one of “hope, inspiration and tremendous expectations.”

“The trajectory of Guyana’s overall development must allow our young, brilliant, intellectual minds the opportunity to further their education in other universities such as those in the West Indies, in North America and the United Kingdom at the full expense of the Government of Guyana though us taxpayers,”Brotherson said.

Data provided shows that within the last three years, prior to 2018, Guyanese were awarded scholarships for overseas training in 145 fields of study in 26 countries globally.
Over the years there were 52, 76 and 104 scholarships awarded respectively in 2015, 2016 and 2017 for overseas studies while locally, 232, 357 and 442 for the same years were awarded, bringing the three-year total to 1263 scholarships.

Locally, these scholarships were granted to institutions such as Air Services Limited, Carnegie School of Home Economics, Critchlow Labour College, the University of Guyana, Guyana School of Agriculture, Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, Texila American University and several others.

Brotherson announced that in 2018, Department of the Public Service will offer fully funded overseas scholarships to eligible Guyanese to Universities in the United Kingdom (UK) and the University of the West Indies (UWI)

“We do not [see] investment in the human resource development as burdensome, but rather a systematic approach and overall benefit transitioning our prized young people on a path to develop our economy to enjoy the good life,” he said.
Meanwhile, Adviser and Consultant to Minister of the Public Service, Vincent Alexander, delivered the feature address in the stead of Minister of Public Service, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine and said that the website and its accompanying handbook contribute to good governance, which will further help to foster social cohesion.

“What we’re seeing today being described as a launch of a website and handbook is part of a necessary movement if our country is to move forward. Not only does it take our country into the 21st century in terms of technology, but it takes our country further into the modern world in terms of governance,” Alexander said.
He added that the website would provide for greater transparency in government

operations, stating that:
“The website and handbook provide for greater transparency in what we do. It allows the nation at large to know what criteria are being applied when one seeks to obtain a scholarship…transparency does not work where there isn’t openness.”
Finally, Manager of Planning Analysis, Kandasia Kendall reported that the site, linked as ‘scholarships.dps.gov.gy’ will be constantly updated as the department aims to provide more Guyanese with equal opportunities to access scholarships.