THE University of Guyana is set to launch nine new programmes which will commence in the new academic year, when it holds it first-ever virtual career fair on June 18 and 19.
The university, in a press release issued on Monday, said three of the programmes: BSc. in Sustainable Tourism Management, MSc. in Supply Chain Management & Procurement and MSc. in Entrepreneurship & Innovation Management, are being launched under UG’s School of Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation (SEBI).

It was explained that these programmes are being launched in recognition of the skills gap within the public and private sectors in the areas of supply chain management and procurement as well as the gap in the national framework of Entrepreneurship & Innovation Management.

The additional six programmes: BSc. Computing; Information Technology and Business, Diploma in Crime and Criminology, Pre-University English Reading Skills, Pre-University English Writing Skills, Small Business Management, and Business Plan Preparation and Writing, are being offered under UG’s Institute of Distance and Continuing Education (IDCE).

Additionally, the newly-established Institute of Energy Diplomacy has announced a suite of executive-level professional courses, some of which have already begun. These courses are being taught by leading international academics and experts from universities around the world with long track records in training for the energy sector, the release said.

The two-day fair which is being held under the theme, ‘Discover Your Potential: Beyond Limitations’, seeks to provide all the necessary career, application and registration guidance and support to prospective students. This will help them to make informed decisions as they choose their next academic step.

Thousands of prospective students, both locally and internationally, will get the opportunity to learn about the 140 programmes across 50 disciplines which are being offered by the university.
Vice-Chancellor XI, Professor Mohamed Martin noted the university is focused on ensuring that everyone who joins it succeeds and is fully equipped with the skills necessary to cope in an ever-changing world.

She further noted that the university is pushing ahead in ensuring the realisation of its main goal of having one graduate per household as laid out in the institution’s Blueprint 2040 – a policy document which outlines the transformative growth of the University over the next twenty years.

“Making the decision about where to go and what to study in higher education is usually bewildering for most persons as it is life changing. In addition to providing useful information, the career fair also seeks to educate and inform prospective students about campus life, student services offered by the institution and how they could cope effectively with the demands of tertiary education,” the UG press release stated.

UG noted that in a virtual space, prospective students will have an opportunity to network and to engage university staff, faculties, current students, international and local partners, and members of the Senior Management Team in ways that were previously not possible.

The 2021 career fair is being prepared with a virtual auditorium, lobby, hall, and virtual booths for partners, sponsors, and the various faculties, schools and institutes of the university.
Further, UG indicated that the interactive sessions will also facilitate fun games, educational talks and prizes to be won.

The university release noted that its 2021 career fair will provide a “richer, more inclusive guest experience” as the set of integrated chat rooms, polls, Q&A sessions, emoji reactions, seminars and similar interactive elements will make participants feel almost as if they were physically present at a face-to-face event, even though they are there virtually.