The University of Guyana on Thursday launched a Diploma in Valuation programme in partnership with the Guyana Lands and Survey Commission.
Students and invitees at the launching of the programme
Being the second university in the Caribbean to offer this diploma, the university announced that the course will run for 18 months and will facilitate a total of 30 students.
Persons enrolled are representatives from the Central Housing and Planning Authority, Guyana Lands and Survey Commission, Guyana Geology and Mines Commission, Lands Registry and Deed Registry.
Minister of State Dawn Hastings-Williams in her remarks stated that land is a contributive factor to human activity. She pointed out that lands in Guyana will become expensive since the country is now producing oil. She also posited that Guyana’s land administration and management system needs improvement.
“Valuation is a critical pillar in effective land administration. It is the basis of negotiation between buyers and sellers for land rent, land taxation, compensation, mortgages, secured borrowing, future investment, land use planning and identifying the value of an organisation’s assets,” she stated.
In contrast, the Minister said the programme will benefit professionals by equipping them with the essential tools to play key roles in Guyana’s development.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of the Guyana Lands and Survey Commission Trevor Benn added: “the programme is crucial to allowing the country to earn its full and right share of revenues from properties in the country. We have to be able to oversee our nation’s patrimony in a way that brings good value to the people of Guyana”.
UG’s Registrar, Dr Nigel Gravesande, posited that the institution came up with this programme which will meet industry needs but will also satisfy the prescribed academic best practices and standards.
