Govt funds 886 scholarships in 2 years

– will fulfill vision of a ‘green economy’

Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr Karen Cummings, told a recent national event in Mabaruma, Region One, that a total of 886 Guyanese have been granted scholarships by the Government of Guyana to further academic studies in various fields, in keeping with a commitment to build human resource capacity even as the country prepares to transition into a green economy.

“More than eight hundred and eighty-six (886) scholarships were issued to Guyanese scholars by the APNU-AFC government since May 2015. These scholarships will provide our scholars with the skills and the knowledge needed to fulfill the vision of a green economy,” she declared.

Through the Department of Public Service, the Government of Guyana has been granting scholarships to enable students to attain tertiary education at the certificate, diploma and degree levels. Government’s focus is aligned with international standards of the 2009 United Nations Environment Initiative, entitled “Global Green New Deal” (GGND), which seeks to create policies and stimulate economic recovery, to create a more sustainable world economy.

The United Nations Environment GGND Initiative entreats governments to fund green sectors with the objective of economic recovery, eradicating poverty, reducing carbon emissions, and preventing ecosystem degradation.

Minister Cummings also said, “A green economy is crucial to the good life promised to all Guyanese, through sustainable development and protection of our environment.”

Government’s focus on creating and sustaining a green economy will result in improved human well-being and social equity, while significantly reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities.

All areas of study to which a scholarship is granted will contribute to Guyana’s goal to become a green economy. Some areas of significance wherein scholarships have been granted include Technology, Agriculture and Forestry, Natural Sciences, as well as Earth and Environmental Sciences.

According to a GINA report, the scholarship packages usually cover all costs, including field trips, tuition, facilities’ fees, and final year projects. The Government has, so far, failed to reveal the names of the 886 persons granted scholarships.