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Guyana is aiming to become an education hub for students in the region, not only when it comes to attracting medical students, but also as it pertains to offering specialized degrees to teachers locally and across the region.
On Tuesday, the Medical Sciences College was commissioned on the grounds of the University of Guyana’s Turkeyen campus. During the commissioning, President Dr. Irfaan Ali made it clear that the ceremony was about more than just the building, but rather Guyana taking its place regionally and internationally.
“We already said education and health will be part of the diversification. And we do it right. We have the certification. Then we can very well be one of the largest international providers of medical education globally. And that is where we want to go. We’re not stopping short,” President Ali said. 
“This is not compartmental thinking. This is about a huge vision. This is about understanding where we want the country positioned. Not only to deliver excellent healthcare to patients, but to be part of research.”
According to President Ali, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government’s aim is to make global medical research part of their economic modeling. He noted that the possibilities in this case are endless.
“The possibilities here are enormous. So, for our students, we will be investing in facilities in the different regions. But at the main campus here, we may very well say in the medium-term strategy, we will invest once we get the certification, in a facility for global intake. We already have regional intake,” President Ali said.
According to the Head of State, they will have to be strategic about which areas to seek to attract additional students in. This means looking at key areas of global manpower shortage, such as the medical field.
“In the medical sciences, almost every area. Pilots, in the aviation and marine sectors. Not just engineers. Which areas of specialization. What are the target areas. Those are the things we’re working on in the next five years. The medical college now, must be able to produce high quality papers and be part of an international network, in which we can punch pound for pound. In which we can position us as a leader.”
There is also an opportunity for the offering of specialized degrees to teachers not only on a local, but regional scale… something the Head of State made it clear they will seek to harness, through the use of technology.
Regionally attractive
“The Minister of Education is already working, to see how we can not only train all our teachers, but more importantly how do we develop a regionally attractive programme to have regional students. That is why the digital school will be opened up for the region. So that the true integration of the region will be realized, through the Guyana Digital School,” Ali said.
“Because students across the region, on every island, will be studying on the same platform, sharing experiences at the same time. That is the power of integration and that is what technology enables… we’ve invested in the teacher’s training college and university. We want to develop specialized degree programmes for teachers throughout the region. How about we work with our international partners to make this the training ground for all our teachers regionally?”
The Guyana Digital School is a revolutionary online education platform that will ensure students can access quality education regardless of geographical or financial barriers. The initiative was unveiled at the Abram Zuil Secondary School last month. At the time, 2,400 registrants had already been recorded.
This online platform was designed for students in Grades 10 and 11, offering CSEC study materials through a Four-Quadrant Approach that combines technology, interactive learning, engagement, and hands-on activities. The goal is to enhance students’ learning experiences beyond the classroom. The Minister also highlighted that the platform’s content is fully aligned with CXC, which she considers a major achievement.
Beyond traditional coursework, the digital school will offer supplementary programmes aimed at broadening students’ skills and knowledge. These include entrepreneurial training, cultural studies, electronic nursing, accounting courses, and remedial education in the evenings.
Students can register for the platform at https://www.digitalschool.moe.edu.gy/.
So far, 2400 students have registered.
