UG to see new Center for Behavioural Studies by September

…funded by US$400,000 donation

The University of Guyana (UG) was on Wednesday presented with a donation of US$400,000 by the Jay and Sylvia Sobhraj Foundation, for a new state-of-the-art Centre for Behavioural Studies and Research at its Turkeyen Campus, which will materialise through the refurbishment of its existing centre.
The donation was finalised at a signing ceremony in the presence of the Vice

Chancellor of UG, Professor Ivelaw Griffith; founder of the organisation, Jay Sobhraj and other members of the foundation and University officials.
This project entails the refurbishment of the “Spicy Dish” building and is expected to provide a boost to the newly-introduced psychology programmes, which include a diploma that was made available in March.
The renovated building will be renamed as the “Jay and Sylvia Sobhraj Centre for Behaviour Studies and Research”, and is estimated to house a constellation of programmes such as psychology, social work, criminology and psychiatry as well as a book store, food court, model counselling centre, an extended student gym, medic centre and prayer rooms.  However, the book store and cafeteria will be the significant and sustainable revenue earners for the institution.
Funding was also provided by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) for the psychology development programme, which will be featured when the project is completed. As such, both physical and educational aspects of the programme will be synchronised.
Professor Griffith, during his address, noted that the aim of these projects was to foster the development of students in all dimensions.
“This is not only a ‘signally’ important milestone along the journey of rebranding and rebuilding, but it testifies to our recognition of the essential purpose of our being, to enhance the abilities of our students to come in and get some experiences in and out of the classroom,” Professor Griffith stated.
Meanwhile, Jay and Sylvia Sobhraj Foundation member Nardeo Singh also shared his remarks on the works that were accomplished over the years to assist in the development of various institutions in Guyana, a prominent one being the Guyana Police Force (GPF).
“We have a spin to what we do. We don’t come to Guyana without a plan and without a solution,” he stated.
The project, which has been in the making for approximately 12 months, is expected to be completed in time for the beginning of the next academic year in September.