UG launches foundation aimed at improving operations

After eight years of planning, the University of Guyana has finally launched its foundation specifically designed to improve the operations at the tertiary institution.

Chancellor of the University, Professor Edward Greene related that the University of Guyana Foundation (UGF) will be operating under the guidance of UG’s ambitious “Blueprint 2040.”
He stressed that the foundation will follow the guidelines already outlined by the university in his presentation, and clarified that the rollout of “Blueprint 2040” will take place in the next four to five terms, which will be when the university has completed 75 years of existence.

The goals of UG’s ambitious “Blueprint 2040”, which the UGF will use as a guide, are to produce at least one graduate per Guyanese household, become a leader in technical and applied knowledge, become the centre of excellence for research relevant to Guyana’s development, become the de facto strategic partner for Guyana’s development and produce skilled graduates fit for purpose and success.

The foundation has highlighted four grand challenges as a way of moving forward to aid in the advancement of UG.
One of these is investing in human capital for a sustainable future which is to create and sustain scholarships and partnerships with international academic institutions and international research/innovation centres to rapidly increase the number of UG faculty members obtaining terminal degrees and post-doctoral fellowships as well as to promote post-graduate studies at UG.
Another is expected to create a green university for a green Guyana and a sustainable global environment to develop sustainable housing for students on all UG campuses and create safe spaces, walkways, and sidewalks and beautify/landscape the Turkeyen and Tain Campuses as well as UG’s other campuses across Guyana.
Thirdly, modernising essential systems and services to further preserve Guyana’s special collection at UG Library, upgrade UG’s student complex and student facilities on all campuses and also create dedicated sports facilities including a modern sports complex.
And lastly, accelerating innovations through centres of excellence and research institutes to develop an institute for the empowerment of women and girls and develop a Creative Arts Centre to advance the Fine and Performing Arts and Guyana’s Cultural Enterprise by promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion.
However, Vice-Chancellor, Paloma Mohamed-Martin outlined the need for the UGF, alluding to the fact the foundation will aid in the funding of the university. Martin stated that the university has been largely growing over the years, and with the growth, there is a need for more funding to commence operations and services offered by UG.
“We have a very serious resource gap that we’ve always had to fill. Take for instance this year, and this has happened in successive years, the university has been expanding, its resources are not expanding … so for instance this year, we need $11 billion for our operations. This year we have 3.5 [billion], which is the biggest budget we’ve had in our history, but it still leaves a gap of $6.5 billion for us to fill,” she revealed.
Martin further stated that the gap affects every aspect of UG’s operations, service, quality, teaching-learning environment, numbers, brand, and reputation. With the UGF, this gap is expected to be filled.
The simple launching event sought attendance from many high-profile alumni, trustees, and major private investors of UG who make up the Board of the UGF.
Showering congratulations on UG for the launching of the foundation was also Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand through a congratulatory video message.