UG Launches Centre of Excellence for Teaching and Learning
(February 13, 2019) – The University of Guyana launched the Centre of Excellence for Teaching and Learning (CoETaL) at the University’s Turkeyen Campus.
The CoETaL will provide a menu of services and programs which will be focused on teaching and learning scholarship.
The Centre was launched with a symposium held at the School of Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation Lecture Hall.
Launching the Centre for the University was Minister of Education, Dr. the Hon. Nicolette Henry.
Minister Henry said that over the years the University of Guyana has been evolving into a more competitive and respected tertiary institution in the region and is responsible for a lot that is required for Guyana’s human resource development.
“I believe that this achievement is in no small part due to the emphasis that the university places on providing a dynamic, highly student-centred learning environment in which student learning is pursued as a primary goal, and excellence in teaching is recognised and rewarded,” the Education Minister said.
According to Minister Henry, the aforementioned emphasis is well positioned, as it is with the institutions of higher education that Guyana seeks to develop a globally competitive workforce.
Further, she said that on the eve of petroleum supported economy, there is an unprecedented demand for and a great diversification in higher education, as well as an increased awareness of its vital importance for socio-cultural and economic development.
“Without adequate higher education and research institutions providing a critical mass of skilled and educated people, Guyana cannot ensure genuine endogenous and sustainable development, which is imperative to reduce the gap separating Guyana from the industrially developed countries,” Minister Henry added.
Moreover, she said that the education system must evolve to provide a platform for a permanent exchange of ideas of enhancing higher education and a framework for joint action.
According to Dr. Henry, emphasis on life-long learning must be sustained to help students keep their knowledge current. She said that this will ensure that they continually remain relevant in the new economy and are able to take advantage of new market opportunities.
Delivering the keynote address was Professor Percy Hintzen, Director of African and African Diaspora Affairs at the Florida International University.
He said among other important points that it must be appreciated that students have a lot to offer their teachers. He said that if this is understood, the students can produce new horizons of possibilities. According to Professor Hintzen, excellent teaching can produce excellent learners.
Following the launch of the school, an Advisory Board was installed by the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Ivelaw Griffith, to support the management of the CoETaL.
The members of the Advisory Board are Ms. Paulette Paul (UG), Mr. Lenandlar Singh (UG), Dr. Jacqueline Murray (UG/IDCE), Ms. Maureen Bynoe (UG), Ms. Kara Lord (UG), Mr. Kelvin Bovell (UG), Mr. Sekhar Mallampati (UG), Mr. Fidel Captain (UG), Ms. Donette Washington (UG), Dr. Theodosius Velloza (UG); Ms. Yulette Park (alternate), Ms. Viola Rowe (CPCE), Ms. Patrice LaFleur (UNESCO) and a Ministry of Education Representative.