…strengthens ties with International and Regional Institutions
The University of Guyana (UG) has made significant progress in enhancing its operations while strengthening its ties with the University of the West Indies (UWI), and other regional and international institutions.
The notable achievements were disclosed during the University’s First Virtual Business Meeting on Monday, with over 160 local and international participants in attendance.
Chancellor of the University of Guyana, Professor Edward Greene, in his report, said the Council has been functioning effectively, as a result of the establishment of a number of sub-committees, created to advance its work in the development and approval of transparent policies and expediting essential aspects of policy implementation.
In a press statement, the University explained that the work of these sub-committees resulted in the approval of the University’s Procurement Guidelines and Procedural Manual, in addition to the approval of policies and programmes for the evaluation of Council appointments and evaluations of all Statutory Officers.
The sub-committees also aided in the finalization of the University of Guyana Foundation Trust Deed and appointment of the first Board of Trustees.
The Chancellor also disclosed that a number of international partnerships had been initiated with universities in the District of Colombia, Maryland, and Virginia of the United States of America. These partnerships were both noted and endorsed by the Council.
At the regional level, there were recent discussions between the Vice-Chancellors of the University of the West Indies and University of Guyana to establish a UWI-UG Bridge to Higher Education.
“This initial discussion will be intensified on mutually agreed project priorities that will conform to UG’s Blue Print 2040 and UWI’s Triple A Global Strategy,” the University said while noting that the Chancellor also appealed to the Government to honour its pledge to view higher education not only as an expenditure but as an investment in human capital.
“To stakeholders within the private sector, UG’s alumni, and partners in Guyana and in the diaspora, the appeal was made to view UG’s journey as one that is worthy of their support in various ways including contributing to internships, bursaries, fellowships, and endowments or, at least, their goodwill,” it said.
Vice-Chancellor of the University of Guyana, Dr. Paloma Mohamed-Martin presented a detailed report for the period September 2019-December 2020.
In that report, the Council commended the Vice-Chancellor for her visioning and excellent leadership – both as the Chair of the Transitional Management Committee (TMC) and after her appointment to the post of the University’s Eleventh and first female Vice-Chancellor.
“The Council noted and endorsed the implementation of nine (9) important approved policies over the last year aimed at solving some specific challenges within the University. These approved policies include establishment of Endowed Chairs and Professors of Practice; service contracts for faculty and staff; admissions policy for applicants in vulnerable and underserved communities and regions and remediation policies on promotions among others,” the University detailed.
The VC’s report also chronicled the restoration of mutually respectful Union-Administration relations. Prudent management of UG’s financial business and health and the 10 measures outlined in reforming the Bursary into a Finance Management Office. These included bringing all financial records up to date and modernizing the systems and software of the Bursary.
Importantly, the Council pointed out that 2020 was the first time in several years that UG commenced its operations in the black with a surplus of funds. It was further noted that as of September 2020, the University remained in the black, though this was diminishing due to three unplanned converging conditions namely: COVID-19, which reduced the University’s ability to collect tuition and service fees on time; forced expenditure for safety and health; and massive output associated with getting the delivery of all courses and systems online.
The design and implementation of a robust and comprehensive 3-phased health, safety, and security programme and 10 major security improvements undertaken in the period under review were also highlighted by the Vice Chancellor.
With a current enrolment of approximately 10,000 students, University of Guyana (UG) has graduated more than 40,000 students who have gone on to successful careers locally, regionally, and internationally.
The University is also a major contributor to the national economy and to business and industry.
