The University of Guyana is gearing to offer a degree in aeronautical engineering in partnership with the Art Williams and Harry Wendt School. Arrangements for this initiative are expected to wrap up by June.
Professor Jacob Opadeyi
This was confirmed by Professor Jacob Opadeyi, Vice Chancellor of UG, during a brief interview with this publication yesterday. He initially made the announcement on February 6 last at the Ministry of Public Works and Communications’ Engineering Conference.
Professor Opadeyi said that the two entities are currently working on the documentation aspect of the arrangement.
He had previously said that after completing the three-year stint at the Art Williams and Harry Wendt School (located at Ogle Airport), students desirous of pursuing a degree in aeronautical engineering would be able to do so at UG.
A representative of the Art Williams and Harry Wendt School echoed that the initiative is in the planning stage. Students are now required to spend three and a quarter years at the school before writing the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority examination to get a basic licence to work on aircraft.
It was noted that the completion certificate from the Civil Aviation Authority allows students to work on aircraft, only under supervision. However, students are always encouraged to further enhance their knowledge to become expert engineers.
The representative said it is hoped that the degree programme would add to the students’ skills and the aviation industry as a whole.
Currently, the school has 22 final-year students, 44 second-year and 56 first-year students.