Education Ministry awards contracts to aid UG’s improvement

Mar 07, 2014 News

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By Sharmain Grainger

Curriculum reform and civil works to the tune of US$867,000 are expected to start shortly at the University of Guyana (UG). Contracts in this regard were yesterday handed over by Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, to two consultants at a simple ceremony held in the Education Lecture Theatre of the University.
The University of the West Indies Consulting Inc. was awarded a contract valued at US$499,243 to coordinate and supervise the curriculum reform process for 15 Bachelor’s Degree programmes in the Science and Technology Faculties.
However, it was an Italian/Guyanese joint venture, Hydea in association with RPA Rossiprodi and sub-consultant CEMO , that was awarded a contract valued at US$368,014 to undertake the civil works component. The latter consultants will cater to the design and supervision of the rehabilitation of 14 laboratory buildings in the four science faculties on the

campus.
Funding for the contracts has been made available under the University of Guyana Science and Technology Support Project (UGSTSP) which is based on a US$10M credit from the World Bank to the Government of Guyana. The project is being executed by the Ministry of Education in close collaboration with UG.
According to Project Coordinator, Vidyawattie Looknauth, the objective of the project is to strengthen the four Science and Technology faculties at the University – Faculties of Agriculture and Forestry, Natural Sciences, Technology and the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences – to better prepare graduates for jobs in low carbon industries and build sustainable capacity to operate the University and plan for its future growth.
The project, according to Looknauth, focuses on improving the quality of science education through curriculum reform, support for research in Low Carbon Development areas, improve physical infrastructure and capacity building.
She noted though that while curriculum reform is one of the main focuses, keen focus is also being directed to the provision of research grants to the academic staff of the university, infrastructural enhancement, in terms of rehabilitation of the laboratory buildings, provision of equipment to the labs, provision of ICTS and campus-wide drainage infrastructure.
Added to this, the project is expected to cater to capacity development in the form of four forward-looking studies – one relating to human resource management and three being feasibility for the establishment of a business development Unit, a research and innovation fund and a centre for excellence to study bio-diversity.
All of the outlined aspects of the project are expected to be implemented over a five-year period, by which time it is anticipated that the US$10M would have been exhausted. Some aspects of the project commenced last year.
And the UGSTSP is certainly poised to help with the overall development of the tertiary institution.
Speaking at the ceremony yesterday, Minister Manickchand noted that tertiary education plays a huge role in development, whereby more informed choices are available to individuals and equality is promoted.
“Development allows for countries generally in the world to look better…studies across the world indicate that tertiary and higher education institutions play a large role in nations, and so we are absolutely sure that if we are to develop rapidly at a pace that Guyana deserves, then we must ensure that the University of Guyana is ready and prepared, and churning out graduates who can contribute to that development that we so desperately seek.”
Moreover, she noted that projects such as the UGSTSP will certainly accelerate the pace at which Guyana develops, even as the preparation process is enhanced.
“We are sure in the Government that the university is well poised to play its role in national, human and social development,” said the Minister even as she added that every partner must play their part. She noted that while it is one thing to erect buildings there is also a need to ensure that lecturers who enter the doors are performing at their maximum capacity and are on campus doing what they are supposed to do.
And students, the Minister stressed too, must also avail themselves to the various opportunities that are available to them, even as she noted that “we have to make sure that there is a market available for them when they exit…Government is committed to providing an environment where all of this can happen,” added Manickchand.
The ceremony was also graced by Vice Chancellor, Professor Jacob Opadeyi, who took over the reins of the university just over a year ago. He insisted during brief remarks that “it is no secret that the university has been behind in all the departments of further education – infrastructure, curriculum, facilities you can name it.”
However, he noted that he is now delighted that strategic moves are apace to transform the institution where it is likely to become the leading university not only in the Region but also in the wider Community.
“So far we have been moving very steadfastly in implementing those projects. I am pleased to let you know that next week we will be handing over contracts to our colleagues who will be conducting research, and every year we will be giving research grants to our staff,” Opadeyi disclosed.
He said that already six research grants have been approved which will take effect from next month and a second is expected to follow soon.
“When you look at the basket of topics of research to be done and the quantum of money that has been given to them, we will conclude that this university is ready for the future,” the Vice Chancellor added.
In commenting on the infrastructural component of the project, Professor Opadeyi expressed optimism that “we will start seeing sand and bricks on the campus before the end of this year. We can’t spend too much to be planning…when we start seeing those changes then I think we are good to go.”
He disclosed that in the University’s budget for 2014, provision will be made for portable classrooms and offices, so as to provide accommodation when the infrastructural works commence.
“I want to just tell the national community that this university is ready for business,” Opadeyi asserted.

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