UG enters agreements with conservation organisations

Oct 06, 2010 Peeping Tom

The University of Guyana (UG) has recently entered agreements with two international conservation organisations as they seek greater participation in the management of Guyana’s natural capital.
On September 21 and 22, the University signed agreements with Conservation International (CI) and the Iwokrama International Centre for Rainforest Conservation and Development respectively. The first was a cooperation agreement signed to facilitate collaboration between the University and CI on a number of areas surrounding the management of natural capital.
These areas include but are not limited to the integration and management of natural resources, ecosystem resources, ecosystem services and management, curriculum development and building strategic international alliances.
It will see Conservation International assisting the University both in teaching and in undertaking research, and it is expected that knowledge and people resources will flow both ways through the agreement.
Despite this agreement being signed in 2010, it is not the beginning of the University’s relationship with Conservation International – that occurred in 2004. Instead it is, according to Professor Lawrence Carrington, Vice Chancellor of the University, a further defining of the agreement between the two bodies.
Conservation International – Guyana, Executive Director, David Singh said “We are seized by the urgent attention that is needed to respond to the growing demands for an educated population that can manage our natural assets more effectively, especially as the world’s resources become scarcer.

Vice Chancellor of the University of Guyana, Professor Lawrence Carrington (centre) with Mr. Dane Gobin, Director of the Iwokrama Centre, shortly after signing the agreement

For us to grow our economy, more so to grow an economy that is built on our intact ecosystems rather than on destroying them, we need to have a labour force that understands the value and necessity to manage these ecosystems in a holistic manner.”
Singh went on to emphasize the University’s pivotal role in the process of transforming Guyana’s national economy, especially as it relates to the government’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS).
Conservation International also donated funds to support the implementation of the University’s recently revised Strategic Plan. The Plan which features several components circling natural resource management sees the University playing a greater role in key areas such as scientific research and development as well as making greater contributions to future policy making.
The funds will apparently be used to lend some support to the University in achieving these goals.
Some of the areas covered under the agreement for further collaboration include building individual teaching and research capacities (skills, knowledge, education and leadership abilities) for UG staff in Natural Resource Management.
Institutional capacity-strengthening to develop appropriate human and technical resources in tertiary level course and curricula development for a multidisciplinary approach to Natural Resource Management as well as the promotion and coordination of alliances with outside organizations to enhance the capacity of UG to deliver training in this area will also be considered.
Long-term institutional support for institutional strengthening in teaching and research relating to Natural Resource Management, ecosystem services and sustainable development will also be executed under the agreement.
Meanwhile on the very next day the University signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Iwokrama International Centre for Rainforest Conservation and Development. Through this agreement, both institutions have agreed to not only consult each other, but to share information and collaborate on projects of mutual interest.
The agreement will make it easier and less costly for staff and students of the University to use facilities at Iwokrama meanwhile Iwokrama’s scientists and technical personnel will have ready access to scientific collections and facilities at UG.
According to Vice-Chancellor Carrington, “The provisions recognise the value of Iwokrama’s scientists and technical officers as resources for the supervision of students’ projects and theses.”
According to Iwokrama’s Information Officer, Samata Joseph, the agreement will see greater strides in research, training and information management on the conservation and sustainable use of Guyana’s tropical rainforest ecosystems. It will also allow University staff and students greater access to all published reports, library resources, lab facilities, experience and expertise to be found at Conservation International.
The agreement between the two institutions is expected to expand the scope of work that can be achieved at the University of Guyana as it prepares itself to address the need for expanding Guyana’s capacity in science and technology, with particular reference to responses to climate change and sustainable development of Guyana’s natural resources.