UG, Massy ink 5-year agreement to enhance student development, innovation

The University of Guyana (UG) and Massy (Guyana) Ltd have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at providing UG students with increased opportunities for career development, practical experience, and research innovation.

The signing, which took place on Tuesday in the Office of the Vice-Chancellor at the UG Turkeyen Campus, has been formalised by Vice-Chancellor Professor Paloma Mohammed Martin and Massy (Guyana) Ltd Chairman Navindra Thakur.
This five-year MoU is designed to foster collaboration between the two entities, thereby enhancing the academic and professional pathways available to UG students. Through this partnership, UG students would benefit from scholarships, internships, and the Massy Management Trainee Programme which would provide invaluable real-world experience and training.
Additionally, the agreement would support the development of a talent pipeline that allows students to transition into the workforce with essential skills.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Paloma Mohammed Martin, in expressing enthusiasm for the partnership while encouraging Massy (Guyana) Ltd to invest in students from as early as secondary school level, has said, “The labour market is becoming increasingly competitive with companies offering better packages to attract and retain talent. I’ve been advocating for local companies to focus on younger talent, such as CXC students. By engaging high-performing schools and sponsoring students to attend university, businesses can invest in training the next generation while addressing their own staffing needs.”
She added, “Beyond the job market, we must also focus on lifting people by providing opportunities where they are often overlooked.”
Massy (Guyana) Ltd Chairman Navindra Thakur, highlighting the mutual benefits of the MoU, noted, “We are pleased to formalise this partnership with the University of Guyana. We believe in investing in the next generation of leaders and innovators. This partnership with the University of Guyana is a natural extension of our commitment to fostering talent development and creating opportunities. A lot of the persons who have completed the Graduate Trainee Programme are from UG, so it makes sense to strengthen this relationship. We look forward to continued support from UG, ensuring that the talent and skills we need continue to flow into Massy.”
UG Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Institutional Advancement, Dr Melissa Ifill, was also present at the signing ceremony, and expressed pleasure at the collaboration while highlighting that Massy is a significant player in the Guyanese market, making this agreement an important step forward for both entities.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Academic Engagement, Professor Emanuel F. Cummings, also expressed his satisfaction at the UG/Massy partnership, and noted that it presents an opportunity for past graduates of the Massy Graduate Trainee Programme to serve as mentors for new trainees.
Dean of the School of Entrepreneurship & Business Innovation (SEBI), Professor Leyland Lucas, also shared his enthusiasm at the partnership, and highlighted that students who participate in the programme would return to the classroom with valuable practical knowledge, enhancing both their academic and professional development.
Other key areas of collaboration under the MoU include professional development programmes, guest lectures delivered by Massy executives, and community engagement initiatives designed to enhance relationships between UG, Massy, and local communities.