In honouring their years-long commitment to the University of Guyana, Machinery Corporation of Guyana Limited (MACORP) on Thursday signed with UG a Memorandum of Understanding which seeks to continue the provision of technical support in developing the nation through enhanced tertiary education and training.
The agreement, penned by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MACORP, Jorge
CEO of MACORP, Jorge Medina, presenting the signed MoU to UG Vice Chancellor Dr Ivelaw Griffith
Medina, and UG Vice Chancellor Dr Ivelaw Griffith, will allow for students pursing technical fields at the University, such as engineering, to be deployed on a paid internship programme at the machinery company.
This initiative is aimed at developing the skills of the university students while affording them first hand opportunities to put into practice the knowledge gained during their time at the tertiary educational institution.
While addressing the gathering at the handing over ceremony held at the office of the VC on campus, MACORP CEO Jorge Medina expressed delight at the continuation of the longstanding relationship between his company and the university. Adding to that, Medina highlighted the ways in which this partnership would be of benefit, not only to the students, but the country at large.
In doing so, he noted, “With this type of programme, we perceive that when the students come to work with us, they will put their sword in the ground. In university most times, we think and have dreams without living with the reality of country. With this programme, we bring the students and expose them to Guyana’s reality.”
Medina went on to outline the benefits this initiative holds for his company as well. “The best benefit that we get is at the end: we can hire good professionals to work with our company. Actually, we have about 4 engineers working in the interior mining sites, supporting and repairing big equipment. That is a benefit for everybody, because they are being exposed to international technology, and they can go to other countries with this most advanced training in mining. For us, we are proud to have local people doing the job today that in the past were being done by experts. So we prepare our people to work at the level of experts, but they are locals,” the CEO stated.
In welcoming the collaboration with MACORP, UG Vice Chancellor Dr Griffith alluded to a philosophy of the famous Albert Einstein which underlines the significance of focusing on the things that truly matter the most. The VC relayed, “I think that signing this renewal of the relationship between UG and MACORP reflects our joint belief in things that matter and things that count. It matters that our students have an opportunity to get in the industry before they graduate.”
Even as he acknowledged the importance of signing the agreement, Dr Griffith went on to say, “What is important is not just signing this (MoU); it’s living the terms of what we sign. And what counts as well is finding anything that presents obstacles, and resolve them quickly, so that we can accentuate the positive parts of what matters and minimise the stress and the frustrations.”
The University’s representative extended gratitude to MACORP for their timely investment in the development of the nation, especially given that it was emphasised that the future is highly dependent on using technology and expertise to anticipate and solve challenges in the major sectors of the society and economy.
Meanwhile, also featured in Thursday’s activity was the handing over of a cheque to the university, in which MACROP plugs $1M into improving the facilities and providing equipment for students pursuing education in the technical field.
The partnership between MACORP and the University of Guyana was established back in 1995, with the first Memorandum of Understanding being entered into years later in 2006.
