The University of Guyana Berbice Campus (UGBC) is preparing to host its first-ever Interdisciplinary Research Conference from June 23–26, 2025, marking a defining moment in the campus’s 25-year history.
Organised under the theme “Embracing Innovation and Change through Interdisciplinary Perspectives,” this landmark event will take place at UGBC’s Tain Campus, Corentyne, Berbice, bringing together scholars, students, professionals, and policymakers to explore bold, cross-disciplinary solutions to today’s most pressing challenges and to explore ideas and research that cut across traditional academic boundaries. At its core, the conference aims to build a culture of collaboration across academic disciplines and with policy makers and NGOs. It also aligns perfectly well with UG’s Blueprint 2040, which aims to position the University as a leader in innovation and development in the region.
Assistant Director of the UG Berbice Campus and Conference Lead, Dr Pamela Rose said: “This conference is designed as a catalyst to strengthen the research culture at UGBC and across Guyana. It reflects our commitment to community engagement and our readiness to undertake impact-driven research that can contribute to both regional development and global academic dialogue.”
Attendees will be treated to an intellectually rich four-day programme featuring keynote addresses, panel discussions, workshops, exhibitions, and peer-reviewed presentations. Topics range from climate-smart agriculture, gender-based violence, and public health to lifelong learning, digital innovation, and sustainable development. According to Dr Rose, these issues represent some of the most pressing challenges of our time and demand collaborative, interdisciplinary approaches.
Each day of the conference will begin with a keynote address from a distinguished thought leader. Among them is Professor Netra Chhetri of Arizona State University, whose interdisciplinary work on climate adaptation and technology has informed global policy, including as a contributor to the IPCC reports. Another featured speaker is Professor Diana Frost, Associate Professor at Nottingham Trent University, whose research focuses on health systems strengthening and digital inclusion in low-and middle-income countries. Also delivering a keynote will be Mr Patrick Chinedu Onwuzirike, Director of the Council for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (CTVET), who brings decades of experience in technical education and environmental policy.
International participants from India, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and the Caribbean will enrich the conference with diverse perspectives and global insights. Dr Rose explained that their involvement signals the University of Guyana’s increasing global relevance: “Their participation brings invaluable perspectives and expertise. It shows that UG is not only engaging the world but helping to shape it. We’re creating a space where Guyanese scholars, policy makers and NGOs can share their work, and forge collaborations that will transcend the event,” Dr Rose said.
The Conference kicks off with a grand Opening Ceremony which will be held on Monday, June 23 at 10 hrs at the UGBC’s Main Auditorium. The conference is open to members of the public free of cost and is expected to feature remarks from the Honourable Prime Minister, Brigadier (Rtd) Mark Phillips, University of Guyana’s Vice-Chancellor Prof Paloma Mohamed Martin, Director of UGBC Campus Prof Gomathinayagam Subramanian, and Senior Director, Global Futures Laboratory and Director of Lighthouse at Arizona State University, Prof Gary Dirks, among others. The ceremony will also be live-streamed via the following link: https://zoom.us/j/99658962415?pwd=0P2Vlk8ntnBHajuXZC7Cxwz70CXK7r.1
Over the course of the event, participants can expect a dynamic mix of parallel sessions and exhibitions from government ministries, innovators, entrepreneurs, NGOs, and industry stakeholders on the UGBC’s tarmac, which opens from 10 hrs daily. There will also be interactive discussions. The anticipated long-term impact includes greater integration of UGBC into national and regional research agendas, stronger interdisciplinary collaboration, and enhanced visibility for research produced at the university.
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