UG opens Centre for Behavioural Research and Sciences

― Masters in Clinical Psychology programme launched

─ PM Nagamootoo, performing the functions of president, officially commissioned the $100M building

─ centre will facilitate existing courses currently being taught including Social, Clinical, General and Developmental Psychology and can house over 300 students

DPI, Guyana, Friday, April 12, 2019

The University of Guyana (UG) today launched the Jay and Sylvia Sobhraj Centre for Behavioural Research and Sciences with a grand opening ceremony at its Turkeyen Campus.

Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo, along with other officials including Minister of Public Telecommunications, Catherine Hughes, Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Karen Cummings, Vice Chancellor of the University of Guyana, Professor Ivelaw Griffith, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Paloma Mohamed, Jay and Sylvia Sobhraj in front of the brand-new Centre for Behavioural Research and Science.

One of the classrooms in the centre.

One of the classrooms in the centre.

Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Paloma Mohamed and Sylvia Sobhraj cut the ribbon to officially open the centre.

Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Karen Cummings.

Vice Chancellor of the University of Guyana, Professor Ivelaw Griffith.

Guest of honour, Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo, who is performing the duties of Head of State, officially commissioned the $100M building which will house several institutes and offices that are expected to have a great cumulative impact on Guyana.

The centre will facilitate existing courses currently being taught including Social, Clinical, General and Developmental Psychology and can house over 300 students.

Additionally, the centre, on which construction began in August 2018, will be used to deliver the newly launched Master of Science in Clinical Psychology which commences at the beginning of the new academic year, 2019/2020,

Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Karen Cummings noted her pleasure to share involvement in a “phenomenal piece of history that will benefit Guyanese… The Ministry of Public Health views mental health as one of its priority areas,” Minister Cummings said.

She also noted that the ministry’s commitment to behavioural sciences and its relation to mental health has ensured that for the first time in the history of our country, the Ministry of Public Health established a Mental Health Unit and as such, workers from these and other related fields will benefit from the new centre.

Vice Chancellor and Principal of the University of Guyana, Dr. Ivelaw Griffith said this serves as a part of UG’s plans for rebuilding and rebranding of the university.

Nateshia Isaacs.

Images: Kennyann Bacchus.