The University of Guyana (UG) and the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), on Thursday, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which would enable ranks to be awarded an Associate Degree in General Studies from the University following the completion of the Standard Officers’ Course Number 50.
UG Vice Chancellor, Professor Ivelaw Griffith and GDF Chief-of-Staff, Brigadier Patrick West following the signing of the MoU
UG Vice Chancellor, Professor Ivelaw Griffith and GDF Chief-of-Staff, Brigadier Patrick West inked the historic agreement at Base Camp Ayanganna.
Brigadier West said that the agreement would enhance the academic programme of the Standard Officers’ Course Number 50, adding that the partnership would seek to enable academic cooperation and implement mutually beneficial training programmes in addition to developing research collaboration.
“It will develop the agricultural corps as a research centre with the University of Guyana. This is only part of our efforts towards the theme of effective transformation towards total national defence and the concept sees the implementation of a national security strategy that employs all instruments of national power to meet the challenges faced by Guyana at this time,” he said.
“This would require a higher degree of interagency cooperation to combine defence with diplomacy, economic development with law enforcement and civil authority with the defence agency,” the Chief-of-Staff added.
He noted that the initiative would provide a more rounded and educated officer who was prepared to fulfil the role of promoting national defence.
“We believe that it will give the ability for more strategic deployment,” he said.
Vice Chancellor Griffith said the inking of the agreement showed commitment on the part of the GDF in placing importance on education.
“We have a critical role for two institutional thrusts – UG and GDF, a critical role not only in enabling our nation’s individual mandates to us to educate and to defend, but in the context of those mandates, there are very many dynamics. Many elements, some of which mean that educational collaboration is very critical, is necessary not just a desire,” Professor Griffith said.
Meanwhile, UG’s Principal Academic Engagement Officer, Sharon Roopchand Edwards said that the development of the programme was based on what the Army believed was critical for a rounded officer; hence, the General Studies Associate Degree.
“It makes the officer more rounded as they move up in rank, so that they can be thrown in roles of leadership and decision making at an earlier stage. All the lectures are on site at Camp Stevenson Training Centre. The Associate Degree would be done in batches in alignment with how the Army programme is done and it would cover the credits of a two-year diploma,” she said.
She added that the University would have to await final approval from the Academic Board, but the programme has been developed and was expected to commence in November with a batch of 38-40 students.
