THE University of Guyana (UG) and one of its key development partners, the Greater Guyana Initiative (GGI), on Friday turned the sod for a three-part project which includes the construction of a new and modern state-of-the-art Science and Technology Building at the University’s Turkeyen Campus.

The other two parts of the project will include retrofitting of labs in the faculty over the next few months and the addition of three new labs into the existing Faculty of Engineering building.

All of this go towards the university’s five main goals – creating 50 per cent of the lab – teaching spaces currently needed; extending the disciplines offered in STEM by the Faculties of Engineering and Technology and the Faculty of Earth and Environmental Sciences; doubling the number of graduates in engineering in three years in keeping with the high demand for UG trained engineers; providing purpose-built facilities for staff and students, promoting collaborative cutting-edge research and problem focused interdisciplinary teaching; and supporting the first International Accreditation of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology which is due in 2024.

The project is part of a larger US$2.1M five-year collaboration between UG and the GGI which was negotiated in 2019 by UG’s Office of Philanthropy, Alumni and Civic Engagement (PACE). The GGI comprises of the Stabroek Block co-venturers’ – ExxonMobil Guyana Limited, CNOOC Petroleum and HESS Corporation.

“The project represents an interdisciplinary collaboration between the Faculty of Engineering and Technology (FET) and the Faculty of Earth and Environmental Sciences (FEES). The 15,000 square feet space has been designed as shared
spaces to facilitate areas of work where synergy exists for these faculties, including water and energy sustainability through use of solar energy and information technology. It will include labs, new classrooms and offices,” a press release from UG noted.

Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dr Paloma Mohamed Martin underscored the importance of the facility, noting that it will boost the capacity of the university to produce the quality and quantity of engineers that are needed.

The VC further explained that over the past six to seven years, the university has seen a massive increase in the number of applicants to the engineering and other technical programmes being offered and to keep up with this demand, such a
facility is very much needed.

She added that several new path-breaking projects aimed at further developing the university and its students and staff have been in implementation phase over the last 14 months and are now ready to be launched very early in 2024.

ExxonMobil Guyana Limited Country Manager, Alistair Routledge, who spoke on behalf of the GGI said: “I am delighted to be here for the sod-turning event at this pivotal moment. I stand here on behalf of ExxonMobil Guyana, CNOOC and Hess as the Stabroek Block co-venturers’. What brought us here to Guyana was to explore for and develop the natural resources in the form of oil and gas in the country. Thankfully for all of us we have been successful in that journey and because of that we are in this great position where we have also been able to set aside funds to support these kinds of projects.”

Project Oversight Lead and Head of Department of Civil Engineering at UG, Dr. Kofi Dalrymple, in presenting an overview of the project, stated that the project is part of a larger plan to equip the Faculty of Engineering and Technology, along with its interdisciplinary partners, specifically the Faculty of Earth and Environmental Sciences, to serve the country.

Dr. Dalrymple explained that the project provides for the retrofitting of the existing Faculty of Engineering and Technology facilities to address issues and adapt to new learning approaches.

He said: “Our labs are in dire need of upgrade. To train the engineers of the future, we need facilities that foster learning, cutting-edge research centres, and well-equipped classrooms that create an environment to stimulate curiosity and foster hands-on learning experiences.”

He noted that the project will seek to modernise the facilities to serve as incubators for innovation, allowing aspiring engineers to engage in ground-breaking research and development projects. Dr. Dalrymple added that the project will allow for the expansion of the existing FET laboratory noting that the student enrolment rate has almost tripled, but the facilities remain the same.

“The faculty has estimated the need for an additional 23,000 square feet in new lab space. This project will add a much needed 5000 square feet. We also are adding new expanded labs for Petroleum and Geology–areas of priority for our faculty and our country,” he said.

According to the release, “subsequent to verifying that Brigadier Gary Beaton of the GDF who was also laid to rest on Friday morning along with four other servicemen who tragically lost their lives last week, was a graduate engineer of the University of Guyana’s Faculty of Engineering and Technology, the university proposed to name a wing of the building after the fallen hero.”

The university will also introduce the Five Heroes Award in the names of all of the five fallen servicemen, a university-wide award for students who are officers, servicemen or reserves who attain a high academic profile from 2024.