WITH the help of local and international stakeholders, the University of Guyana (UG) is moving closer towards receiving international accreditation for the Faculty of Engineering and Technology (FET), which would ensure that Guyana’s engineering programmes are best suited to the high standards of the oil and gas sector.

A webinar, in collaboration with the United States (U.S.) Embassy and the University, was hosted, on Wednesday, to discuss these progressions and to share ideas for further development.

It saw discussions on the Accreditation Board for Engineering & Technology (ABET) process and was centred on the topic of ‘A University in Transition- Engineering Accreditation for a Sustainable Economy (EASE)’.

The ABET accreditation is recognised worldwide through international agreements and it provides assurance that programmes meet the global quality standards of the engineering profession.The local process is led by U.S. Fulbright Scholar, Professor Norman Munroe of Florida International University (FIU) who came to Guyana in 2019, along with members of the FET.

The Fulbright Programme is the U.S. government’s flagship international educational exchange programme. Meanwhile, Professor Munroe’s objective is to pursue accreditation of engineering programmes by ABET as part of a project to transition FET along a path of global excellence in engineering.

In brief remarks, U.S. Ambassador Sarah-Ann Lynch said that she is pleased by the work of Professor Monroe and team. She said that there is great value to come from accreditation from an internationally-recognized body such as ABET, and Guyana is well on the path towards achieving this.

“Achieving ABET accreditation for UG’s programmes will increase opportunities for international employment, advancement and prosperity for graduates and also allow Guyana to unlock the opportunities provided by the oil industry. Right now, there is only one ABET accredited institution in all of the Caribbean and I look forward to UG becoming the second,” Ambassador Lynch stated.

A UNIVERSITY IN TRANSITION

Meanwhile, UG Chancellor, Professor Edward Greene, said that the University of Guyana can eventually emerge as a premier Regional institution as it transitions from its current state to one which is relevant on the global scale.

To achieve this, he said that the University’s initiatives and innovations must directly contribute to the development agenda of the country in areas such as the Green State Development Strategy (GSDS) and the shaping of the national consensus on becoming an oil economy.

He added that the University must also play a critical role in CARICOM and embrace country partnerships in Regions further afield attracting renowned international scholars and diverse student groups.

Professor Greene also encouraged the embracing of bio-medical, agro-industrial on geotechnical engineering and building on Guyana’s rich Amerindian heritage in partnership with other universities in locations such as Canada and Belize.

“These are some sketches and scenarios within the natural landscape of Guyana on which a national University can build niches of transformation. If these sketches remain pipe dreams and unfulfilled aspiration, they must be grounded in a strategic plan of action,” he advised.

Meanwhile, giving her advice, Chair of the Transitional Management Committee, Professor Paloma Mohamed said that in the transitioning of the University, it is important that attention be given to quality service, what is necessary for the industry both now and in the future and what are the needs of students.

“This faculty is going to undergo a huge and tremendous transformation in the very near future and we are focusing not only on the questions of accreditation which are really, really important to us, but we’re also focusing on the questions of what exactly this faculty is going to do for this country,” she said.

MEET THE FUTURE’S NEEDS

Also, in remarks, ExxonMobil Guyana Country Manager, Rod Henson said that engineers are on the frontline of several important global endeavours and quality engineers are much needed in Guyana as the country embarks on unprecedent development.

He said that ExxonMobil Guyana’s affiliate is dependent on engineers around the world, including some educated at the University of Guyana, to safely operate its Floating Production Storage and Offloading Vessel, the Liza Destiny, as well as several drill ships and support vessels.

“The University has served the country well and is critical for the future of Guyana as well as the future of our oil and gas sector that all of the educational institutions in Guyana remain on the path of continuous improvement. Our support for the projects underway with the University and those to come reflects the critical role that it plays and our respect for their efforts,” he said.

Meanwhile, Professor Munroe spoke to the local ABET Committee which is working towards the said accreditation based on approximately 30 objectives over a two-year period. It began with a request to ABET for accreditation in 2019; the identifying of core courses within each programme followed by the collection of data.

The professor said that when Guyana completes its objectives it will submit a request for ABET evaluation via a visit from the Board. However, he noted that a SWOT analysis conducted by the Committee has thus far shown that without adequate funding and the infusion of resources, international accreditation will not be realised.

It was this information gleaned from the analysis that motivated the preparation of the EASE proposal — Engineering Accreditation for a Sustainable Economy, which identifies the existing needs to enable better securing of funding.