Project Renaissance seeks to bring UG into ‘a modernity zone’

DPI, GUYANA, Saturday, July The University of Guyana(UG) last June, undertook an initiative to modernise the functioning of the more than 50-year-old institution.

Under the leadership of Vice Chancellor(VC)Professor Ivelaw Griffith, Project Renaissance intends to “rebuild, (and)rebrand the university” and bring it “into a zone of modernity”.

In a recent interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI) Professor Griffith explained that Project Renaissance utilises a “package of activities, of events, of programmes all intended to rebuild, rebrand the University

of Guyana”.

Project Renaissance builds on four pillars:

• Capital investment
• Academic enhancement
• Economic viability
• Alumini engagement

In the last year since the project was initiated, the University has enhanced its campus grounds and facilities. Extensive refurbishment on the Turkeyen campus has been undertaken as part of the capital investment. There are still a series of capital projects that the University has earmarked for completion.

The Turkeyen and Tain Talks (TTT), a bimonthly forum engaging communities to discuss national issues, is an initiative under the academic enhancement pillar. The University recently hosted its eight rounds of TTT.

The Vice Chancellor noted that creating partnerships is important for enhancement of the University’s academics. He pointed out that the historic Diaspora Engagement Conference seeks to tap into the Guyanese talent in the diaspora.

The week-long conference slated for later this month will see the solidification of partnerships between the University and the private sector and investors including strengthening of relations with the University of the West Indies.

“It’s a way of saying how can we enable the spotlight on the University to be better than it has been. My idea is to enable the talent, the culture of Guyana at home and abroad to be showcased,” Professor Griffith said.

These partnerships that the University is building also help to secure the institution’s economic viability. The UG has been in receipt of equipment and funds from various donors to the tune of US$450,000.

The University has also signed MOUs with government and private sector for future actualisation valued at US$30M. Professor Griffith noted that these partnerships give technical support to the University and helps build capacity.

These are just some of the initiatives that have been undertaken as part of UG’s renaissance. However, the full modernisation of the institutions campuses and curriculum will take time, Professor Griffith cautioned.

“This university’s neglect has been so deep and so wide it’s going to take at least five years to get to a state where we can be comfortable that we’ve got many of the platforms where they should be,” Professor Griffith said.

Project Renaissance is envisioned as a “maturing overtime project” which will enable the University of Guyana to become a consequential national and international educational stakeholder.

 

By: Tiffny Rhodius