SIXTY-THREE students from the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) Scholarship cohort of 2021 have completed their Post Graduate Diploma programme at Jain University in India, representing the first batch of academic graduates from there.

They began their studies in November 2021 and went through the rigors of attending live courses at the university, sitting exams, and presenting and successfully defending (Viva Voce) their theses, according to GOAL.

The Sunday Chronicle spoke with some students who related that they were “lucky” and “happy” to be selected for the scholarship and to be the first batch of academic graduates from the university.

Their areas of studies were either Human Resource (HR) management or general management.

Vickash Basdeo, a 35-year-old procurement officer at the Ministry of Labour (MoL), completed his postgraduate diploma in HR management.

He explained that HR management was always a passion of his despite his current job.

“I’ve always had my eyes on the human resource sector. It’s something that drives the passion within me from way back. So, I got the opportunity and when I saw the programme, I applied for it and I was selected and was very happy when I was selected,” he said.

He added: “I had not too long completed my bachelor’s degree in public management from the University of Guyana. So, I wanted to further my studies…so right away, I just jumped on it.”

Basdeo, who was accustomed to receiving in-person education, was challenged with adapting to the new online environment.

Due to the time difference, classes were held on Zoom and began around 20:00 hrs and ended around 22:00hrs, according to him.

Basdeo said he made a great decision by deciding to study through GOAL and to his surprise, he faced little to no challenges despite the language barrier.

He said the professors not only made it simple for them, but were also patient and vice versa.

“They always made sure before the end of every session, if there were any questions, that they were answered…so I cannot think of any challenges with regards [sic] to tutoring during that period,” he said.

According to Basdeo, if he is given a similar opportunity he would not hesitate to study at Jain University again, but he is taking a break and plans to pursue his Master’s in the future.

He said that he was never a recipient of any other scholarship, and advised young people that would like to either further their tertiary education to go for it.

“It is a wonderful experience…I tried to make friends, you know, form a team so that we could work together at all times. It is a wonderful experience to go with GOAL and I would advise young people that [sic] are looking to further their studies to push on.”

He added: “If not go for any other scholarship, but push more because you can never have too much education, especially in the world that we’re living in.”

Tajnauth Sookdeo, a 42-year-old of Skeldon, Region Six (East Berbice -Corentyne), also completed his post-graduate diploma in HR management.

He currently holds the position of Health and Safety Officer at the Skeldon Estate and recognised that he was fortunate to be in the first batch of graduates.

To be selected and allowed to study through GOAL, he said, was a very exciting experience and it was convenient as well.

“The opportunity was a very exciting one because it gives you the time at night, to study at your own convenience. Everything is done online, all the exams, all the classes and so on. And I think that’s a good venture from the government of Guyana to give,” he said.

He has plans to pursue his Master’s. He noted that while many persons may have reservations about attending university online, it is exactly like a normal university with a rigorous programme.

“We had to do so many assignments. We had to do our thesis. We had to defend it orally, the viva voce…everything else like a normal university. I should say that the programme is well done,” he related.

Molissa Cudjoe, a 30-year-old who also completed her postgraduate diploma in General Management, is currently employed at an oil and gas company, Sustainable Environmental Solutions, as a site chemist.

Cudjoe said that she chose that area of study to gain management experience to further her career in the oil and gas industry.

She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry and previously studied at the University of Guyana (UG). She noted that while searching other avenues to study to add to her resume, she came across GOAL and decided at the time that this was her best option.

Cudjoe said that attending classes was tough, but she persevered.

“It was a bit tough coming from work and then having to join the class but it was all worth it,” she said.

Cudjoe said that she feels blessed and was fortunate enough to be selected for the scholarship and advised others to go for the opportunity.

“The government is giving you the opportunity. They’re offering you the scholarship. So, you would never know if you don’t try their [sic] luck,” she said.

Gem Bowman, a 49-year-old teacher of a small village in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) completed her postgraduate diploma in General Management as well.

She said that she tried to do an education programme through GOAL, but at the time there were none available.

“I don’t have much knowledge in that area (General Management), so I chose to do that course and I was granted the privilege of studying with Jain,” she said.

Bowman lives in a riverain community that uses solar power with no internet connectivity. To attend classes and complete her assignments, she would put on data on her phone which she explained was very expensive for her.

“For exams, I couldn’t do it on my phone, because you had to use a computer. So sometimes I traveled to Linden or Georgetown to have stable internet access,” she explained.

Bowman is presently pursuing her Master in Education.

She related that as long as someone puts their best foot forward, they can do it too.

“I’m in this area, and I can make it. So, then people, especially those on the East Bank and East Coast and in the more developed areas, you have a better opportunity,” she said.