By Marvin Cato | HGP Nightly News |
BERBICE & ESSEQUIBO, GUYANA — In a landmark shift for higher education, the Ministry of Education has officially launched the decentralization of the University of Guyana’s (UG) engineering programs. For the first time, students in Region 2 (Pomeroon-Supenaam) and Region 6 (East Berbice-Corentyne) can pursue world-class engineering degrees without leaving their home regions.
The initiative aims to build a “homegrown” workforce of engineers to sustain Guyana’s rapid infrastructure transformation, including the construction of new bridges, highways, and regional hospitals.
Regional Hubs for Technical Excellence
The program is being piloted at two strategic locations, bringing the university directly to the people:
- Region 2: Civil Engineering is now being offered at the Essequibo Technical Institute (ETI).
- Region 6: Mechanical Engineering has been launched at the John’s Science Centre in Berbice.
Education Minister Sonia Parag, speaking at the inaugural orientation in Berbice, noted that this move removes the “heavy financial and geographical barriers” that previously required students to relocate to Georgetown, incur high rental costs, and live away from their families.
Education Reform: From “Test-Taking” to “Competency”
Minister Parag emphasized that the curriculum is undergoing a “competency-based reform.” This new approach prioritizes practical skills and problem-solving over traditional rote learning.
- World-Class Standards: As Guyana builds complex infrastructure, the Minister challenged students to become “world-class architects” who think outside the box.
- Economic Relief: The Minister reminded students that, with the University of Guyana transitioning to tuition-free status, the government has already written off billions in student loan debt and will continue this policy through 2026.
Beyond Engineering: A Multi-Sectoral Expansion
The decentralization of engineering is only the first phase of a broader government strategy to bring high-level professional training to every corner of Guyana.
- Medical Programs: Minister Parag confirmed she is collaborating with Health Minister Dr. Frank Anthony to expand UG’s medical and nursing programs to the regions in the near future.
- Inclusive Growth: The goal is to ensure that every Guyanese, regardless of their location, has equal access to the education required to participate in the nation’s “oil-and-gas” era economy.
“We are proactively closing the skills gap to ensure Guyanese are the primary architects of the nation’s future,” Minister Parag stated.
