inaugurates Maoka Taawa University of the Forests in Aishalton

THE University of Guyana (UG) has taken a monumental step in expanding educational opportunities with the establishment of the Maoka Taawa University of the Forests Campus in Aishalton.

Situated before the majestic Paint Mountain, this new campus symbolises the enduring knowledge and perseverance of the indigenous peoples of South Rupununi.

In a historic event, attended by seven of nine village Toshaos and numerous high-level officials from the 21 villages of the South Rupununi District and the University of Guyana’s Turkeyen Campus in Georgetown, the agreement to create the Maoka Taawa University of the Forests was officially signed. This momentous occasion marks the fruition of a sixteen-year-old dream of the indigenous communities in the region.

The new campus is a collaborative effort between the University of Guyana, the South Rupununi District Council (SRDC), and the Aishalton Village Council. This partnership represents a landmark action, distributing responsibilities for the resourcing, management, and sustainability of the project equally among the three signatories. Notably, the Maoka Taawa University of the Forests stands out as one of the few educational institutions of its kind on indigenous titled lands, not only in Guyana but potentially globally.

Serving an underserved area with over 11,000 indigenous residents spread across 21 villages, the campus aims to address the educational needs of the South Rupununi. Currently, less than 5% of the 600 secondary school graduates each year advance to higher education due to geographic and social barriers. This new campus promises to change that by offering courses tailored to the community’s needs, such as education, agriculture, environmental sciences, sustainable tourism, medical sciences, sustainable engineering, construction and infrastructure, business, indigenous knowledge, entrepreneurship, and accounting.

The phased development model of the campus emphasises a small physical footprint and an innovative micro-credit academic structure, focusing initially on professional and vocational training. The project seeks to create better livelihood opportunities through education and training, a vision that has been long in the making.

Michael Thomas, former Toshao of Aishalton Village, who chaired the ceremony, recalled the long journey to this achievement. The SRDC had prioritised education in its Village Development Plans since 2008, gaining significant traction only in the past year when a delegation of Toshaos presented their idea to the University of Guyana.

Vice-Chancellor Prof. Paloma Mohamed Martin, who played a pivotal role in the project, highlighted the university’s commitment to the initiative. “When they showed up in my office, I could not imagine what five Toshaos could want,” she said. “But it soon became clear they were driven by a vision. My main contribution was to listen and ask, ‘Why a field station, why not a campus?’ From there, they navigated village consensus, legal, and titling issues rapidly. This is a Godsent opportunity for UG to achieve its goal of at least one graduate per household.”

The Investigating Task Force for the University of the Forests included Prof. Mohamed Martin, Dr. Gyanpriya Maharaj, Calvin Bernard, Shevion Sears, Tara Smith, Shomari Williams, and Monica Hugh, supported by Deputy Vice-Chancellor Dr. Diana Gobin and Dr. Malcolm Williams.

Toshao Timothy Williams of Aishalton expressed his dedication to the project, emphasising the community’s long-standing desire for educational advancement. “Education is what we have yearned for; it’s the key to everything,” he stated. “This is a historic and proud moment for us. I am privileged to be part of it.”

With the Maoka Taawa University of the Forests, the University of Guyana continues to expand its impact, bringing higher education closer to underserved communities and opening new doors for the future generations of the South Rupununi.

The University of Guyana, the national University of Guyana, now in its 60th year, was founded in October 1963, three years before Guyana became independent. “UG” as it is fondly referred to offers over 160 distinct programmes in over 60 disciplines from Certificates, Diplomas, Associate Degrees, Bachelor’s Degrees, Master’s Degrees to Ph.D.’s.