GUYANESE learners will now be afforded an extended opportunity to complete and enroll in even more of the free courses offered by Coursera.
On Thursday, scores of Guyanese learners received emails informing them of a three- month extension.

“Considering your sincere response, we are delighted to extend your scholarship for three extra months. You may enroll into any number of courses during this month, and complete on or before 31st of March 2021 to obtain your free certificates,” the email read.

It was clarified that the “scholarship” applies only to those who have already been registered, and not to new registrants.
So far, 51,503 persons have already registered for courses offered by a host of reputable universities, via Coursera. Some of these institutions include Yale University, Michigan State University, London University, John Hopkins University and many more.

Of the aforementioned figures, some 8, 054 persons have already graduated with certificates that are internationally recognised.
Following the protracted 2020 General and Regional Elections, the newly-elected People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government partnered with the Commonwealth of Learning to provide free online courses via Coursera.

The initiative, spearheaded by Minister of Education Priya Manickchand, has come in for numerous praises from Guyanese all across the country, since it addresses the unfortunate impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on Guyanese learners. Not only was the opportunities welcomed, but they were capitalised on fully.
During a virtual graduation ceremony, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Coursera, Jeff Maggioncalda had singled out Guyana as an exceptional participant of the courses offered.
“I must say to the leaders of Guyana, we saw 15,000 course enrolments. This is two per cent of the entire country, in just the first 10 days. I’ve never seen anything like it across the world,” Maggioncalda said.

It is important to note that since that graduation, the registration figures for Guyanese on Coursera have grown exponentially.
Following the announcement, Guyanese have been taking to social media to celebrate and express appreciation for the extended opportunities. The arrangement was expected to come to an end on December 31, 2020. Without this extension, Guyanese learners would have either been forced to abandon their incomplete courses, or pay for their certificates.