Education Ministry, Private Sector sign MoU to recognise Coursera credentials

The Education Ministry and the Private Sector Commission (PSC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance the collaboration between the two entities, particularly for the PSC to recognise the micro-credentials of Guyanese who successfully complete the online courses offered by the Commonwealth of Learning and Coursera.

At the signing of the MoU on Friday, Education Minister Priya Manickchand explained that following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic which led to many persons being forced out of employment, the Commonwealth of Learning and Coursera came together and decided that they were going to craft a Workforce Recovery Programme.
She said that the Programme allowed persons across the Commonwealth to increase their skills, to re-skill or to enhance what they already had. According to the Minister, Guyana, as a member of the Commonwealth, received invitations in March and June 2020 to join the Programme, but those offers were not taken up.
However, the Education Minister said that on her entry to office, another invitation was issued and it was decided that Guyana would take up the offer, since there were persons who needed to enhance their qualifications or re-skill completely.
Minister Manickchand explained that through the partnership, 4000 free courses were being offered on the Coursera platform in various fields such as social sciences, engineering, business and computer studies from reputable or Ivy League Universities.
She said in just over two weeks of having launched the initiative in Guyana, more than 35,000 persons have registered to complete courses, with over 17, 500 persons on the platform working to complete their courses. Further, thus far, 970 persons have graduated from the programme.
Meanwhile, Public Service Minister Sonia Parag said that the Ministry welcomed the initiative as it was an opportunity for persons to gain knowledge from universities that were recognised abroad.
It was explained by the Public Service Minister that the Programme was timely, since the Ministry wanted public servants to be qualified at a level that was performance and results-oriented.
Further, Minister Parag announced that the Public Service Ministry would be recognising the certificates from the various courses in the many fields of study as a qualification within the particular job description.
Meanwhile, PSC Chairman Nicholas Deygoo-Boyer said that it was a pleasure for the PSC to work with the Education Ministry to sign the MoU. He said that the actions behind the MoU represented people who wanted to empower themselves.
He said that the PSC was happy to promote the initiative and to empower the Guyanese workforce. Deygoo-Boyer signed the MoU on behalf of the PSC and Permanent Secretary Alfred King signed on behalf of the Education Ministry. Also present at the signing ceremony were Permanent Secretary of the Public Service Ministry, Soyinka Grogan and Education Specialist within the Education Ministry, Olato Sam.
The deadline for registration to access these free courses is October 31, 2020. Interested persons can register on the Ministry’s website at: www.education.gov.gy/upskill.