Press Release

SEBI to host Inaugural Entrepreneurship and Innovation Conference

The School of Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation (SEBI), University of Guyana, is set to host its first Entrepreneurship and Innovation Conference titled Economic Transformation through Entrepreneurship & Innovation.”

The conference will be held from May 20-22 at the Ramada Georgetown Princess Hotel. The event is intended to bring together academic scholars, practitioners, and policy-makers to examine how entrepreneurship has and can continue to support economic transformation in a developing economy. The conference will provide an opportunity to share knowledge and experiences of researchers and practitioners in understanding the importance of entrepreneurship to the future of Guyana.

The event is a collaboration between SEBI, the Ministry of Business and Small Business Bureau. Several public and private entities have shown their support for the conference through sponsorship; among those are telephone giant Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company, Institute of Private Enterprise Development, Ground Structure Engineering and Consultants Inc, Grace Kennedy, Go Invest, Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry Limited, Caribbean Containers, Republic Bank, Bazilio Cobb Associates, Exxon Mobil Guyana, Ministry of Business, Small Business Bureau, Demerara Bank, WT George & Co. and Ministry of Education.

The SEBI Inaugural Entrepreneurship and Innovation Conference will not only set the environment to advance discussions around entrepreneurship and innovation, it will also give local entrepreneurs the opportunity to exhibit their products and services, and a Business Pitch Competition has also been added to the programme.

Registration for the conference can be done at the UG Bursary, Berbice Campus, Citizens Bank or online at entrepreneurshipconference.uog.edu.gy

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Contact SEBI on:

Tel. #: 592-222-4932 / 592-623-0926

Email: sebi@uog.edu.gy

UG IN BRIEF

With a current enrollment of some 8,000 students, The University of Guyana (UG) has graduated more than 20,000 students who have gone on to successful careers locally, regionally and internationally. The University is also a major contributor to the national economy and to business and industry. Established in 1963 on a part-time basis with shared space at Queens College, UG moved to its own campus at Turkeyen in 1970 and expanded in 2000 with the addition of the Tain Campus. It now offers more than 60 Under-graduate and Post-graduate Programmes including Engineering, Environmental Studies, Forestry, Urban Planning and Management, Business, Entrepreneurship, Tourism Studies, Education, Creative Arts, Economics, Law, Medicine, Optometry and Nursing. Several online programmes are available and UG also offers extra-mural classes at four locations through its Institute of Distance and Continuing Education (IDCE). The UG also offers the opportunity for student engagement in debating, sports, and cultural, religious and professional activities.

Public Relations Division
May 15, 2018

UG Press holds first Editorial Board Meeting and charts course ahead

The Editorial Advisory Board of the recently-established University of Guyana Press (UGP) held its inaugural meeting on Saturday, January 20, 2018 at Duke Lodge, Duke Street, Kingston, Georgetown and laid the foundation for its work this year and beyond. The Board, which is headed by Professor George (Ken) Danns of the University of North Georgia and a former lecturer at The University of Guyana (UG), is comprised of distinguished scholars and respected professionals from within and beyond Guyana. UGP was established in 2017 following the signing of a partnership agreement between The University of Guyana and Ian Randle Publishers of Jamaica.

In addition to the local members, the meeting was attended by members from Belize, Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, and from New York, Georgia, and Florida in the United States. Members from Nottingham in the United Kingdom, Jamaica, and New York and Connecticut in the USA joined the meeting by Skype. Among the key outcomes of its work, the Board crafted UGP’s Vision, Mission, and What We Do statements to facilitate its operations, and decided on 13 publication themes, namely: Education for Sustainable Development; ICT; Economics, Trade, and Public Policy; Public Health and Policy; Indigenous Knowledge Systems; Integrated Natural Resources Management; Institutions and Society; Food Security; Social Protection and Policy; Climate Change, Energy, and the Green Economy; Globalization, Poverty, and Inequality; Restorative Justice; and Disaster Vulnerability and Resilience. Each theme has sub-themes.

In outlining its work plan for 2018 and beyond, the Board agreed to publish four sets of products: books, monographs, scholarly journals, and digital materials. In relation to books, the first is expected to be “Dynamics of Caribbean Diaspora Engagement: People, Policy, Practice,” which is one of the outcomes of the Diaspora Engagement Conference hosted by the University in July 2017. His Excellency President David Granger has agreed to write the book’s Foreword. In addition to manuscripts submitted for consideration, UGP will also solicit works in keeping with its themes and reprint classics of Guyanese history, politics, literature, and other areas.

As regards journals, it was decided to put on a firm footing the long-standing and respected University of Guyana journal called “Transition,” which has had a chequered publication history. Working Papers and Occasional Papers will be core monograph publications, with “The Renaissance Papers” being a part of the Occasional Papers series. The 2018 Renaissance Papers will publish the lectures delivered at the Distinguished Lectures named for Distinguished Professor CY Thomas, Professor Emeritus Sister Noel Menezes, and Dr Ulric Trotz, as well as the Professorial Lectures delivered by Professors Michael Scott and Paloma Mohamed.

To boost UG’s work in Biodiversity and its support of the Government’s Green State Initiative, the Board decided to launch a new journal, to be called “The Guyana Shield”, and it established a Task Team to help implement the decision. The Team is headed by Professor Percy Hintzen of Florida International University, and it includes Dr Ulric Trotz of the Caribbean Climate Change Centre, Dr Paulette Bynoe and Mr Alim Hosein from UG, and Dr. David Singh of Conservation International. The journal is expected to be a multilingual publication.

In addition to Vice-Chancellor Ivelaw Griffith and Board Chair George Danns, the meeting was attended by: Ms Christine Randle (Ian Randle Publishers); Professor Percy Hintzen (Florida International University); Dr Paulette Bynoe (UG); Professor Gomathinayagam Subramanian (UG); Mr Alim Hosein (UG); Dr Annette Insanally (UWI Mona); Dr Kimani Nehusi (Temple University); Dr Keith Nurse (UWI Cave Hill); Professor Olajide Oladipo (City University of New York); Dr David Singh (Conservation International); Dr Kelwyn Thomas (Morehouse School of Medicine); Dr Ulric Trotz (Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre); Dr Joseph Tyndall (University of Florida College of Medicine), and Dr Fitzgerald Yaw (UG). While Dr Dennis Canterbury (Eastern Connecticut State University); Professor Stafford Griffith (UWI Mona); Dr Penelope Seibert (University of Nottingham), and Mr Vivian Williams (Vivian Williams and Associates, New York), joined the meeting by Skype.

Ian Randle Publishers Managing Director Christine Randle led the meeting’s review of the work done so far on the UGP website, which is expected to be released at the end of February. A competition for a permanent UGP logo will be held soon. As well, Vice-Chancellor Griffith announced that the University of Guyana Press office will be staffed by the Office of Strategic Initiatives, with Ms Danniebelle Mohabir serving as Manager. UGP also has a Management Advisory Board, which is headed by Ambassador Ronald Austin, Director of the Foreign Service Institute. That Board will hold its inaugural meeting soon.

Board members applauded the formation of the Press, with several of them noting that it had long been promised. Indeed, Mr Alim Hosein recalled that his first job at UG in 1984 was to work with a UG Press that never materialised. According to Vice-Chancellor Griffith, “UGP is a historic milestone in the maturation of the University. It is an integral part of Project Renaissance, and it is intended to boost the institution’s research enterprise and overall credibility.” He also noted that the research and publishing pursuits will not be limited to academic staff, but will include post-graduate and undergraduate students, especially those in the undergraduate research programme.

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UG IN BRIEF

With a current enrollment of some 8,000 students, The University of Guyana (UG) has graduated more than 20,000 students who have gone on to successful careers locally, regionally and internationally. The University is also a major contributor to the national economy and to business and industry. Established in 1963 on a part-time basis with shared space at Queens College, UG moved to its own campus at Turkeyen in 1970 and expanded in 2000 with the addition of the Tain Campus. It now offers more than 60 Under-graduate and Post-graduate Programmes including Engineering, Environmental Studies, Forestry, Urban Planning and Management, Business, Entrepreneurship, Tourism Studies, Education, Creative Arts, Economics, Law, Medicine, Optometry and Nursing. Several online programmes are available and UG also offers extra-mural classes at four locations through its Institute of Distance and Continuing Education (IDCE). The UG also offers the opportunity for student engagement in debating, sports, and cultural, religious and professional activities.

Public Relations Division
January 29, 2018

Small Campus Fire at Turkeyen Contained

The University of Guyana is working with the investigators from the Guyana Fire Service and Guyana Police Force to determine the cause of a small fire which started at around 10:00 h on Tuesday, March 8, 2017. The fire is reported to have originated at the Digicel-owned generator located on the southern side of the recently refurbished Faculty of Health Sciences building on the Turkeyen campus. The fire affected only the back stairwell of the building, and caused some water and smoke damage in the vicinity. There have been no reports of injuries to either students or staff members.

Vice-Chancellor Ivelaw Lloyd Griffith, who is traveling on official business, received a call earlier today from the CEO of Digicel Guyana, Mr Kevin Kelly, who apologised for the damage and the inconvenience caused to the university community by the fire. The cause of fire is under investigation. The Vice- Chancellor applauded the professionalism of the Guyana Fire Service and is grateful that there were no injuries. He also thanked UG’s Security and Estates Management teams, and members of his Cabinet for their swift and effective action, and looks forward to having Digicel repair all damages quickly.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor Michael Scott, who is the Officer -in-Charge of the university in the absence of the Vice Chancellor, said that, “the University stands committed to ensuring the safety and security of students and staff and following the advice of Fire Prevention Officer of the Guyana Fire Service, Mr Andrew Holder, the university would undertake a fire audit of all its facilities.”

Meanwhile, the Administration wishes to assure members of the university and wider community that instructional and other activities at Turkeyen are back to normal.

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UG IN BRIEF

With a current enrollment of some 8,000 students, The University of Guyana (UG) has graduated more than 20,000 students who have gone on to successful careers locally, regionally and internationally. The University is also a major contributor to the national economy and to business and industry. Established in 1963 on a part-time basis with shared space at Queens College, UG moved to its own campus at Turkeyen in 1970 and expanded in 2000 with the addition of the Tain Campus. It now offers more than 60 Under- graduate and Post-graduate Programmes including the Natural Sciences, Engineering, Environmental Studies, Forestry, Urban Planning and Management, Tourism Studies, Education, Creative Arts, Economics, Law, Medicine, Optometry and Nursing. Several online programmes are available and The UG also offers extra-mural classes at four locations through its Institute of Distance and Continuing Education (IDCE). The UG also offers the opportunity for student engagement in debating, sports, and cultural, religious and professional activities.

Public Relations Division

March 8, 2017

UG hosted Inaugural Vice-Chancellor’s Renaissance Lecture and signed MoU with London South Bank University, UK

Professor David Phoenix, O.B.E., Vice-Chancellor of London South Bank University and Professor Jaipaul Singh of the University of Central Lancashire, were recent guests of Vice-Chancellor Ivelaw Lloyd Griffith of The University of Guyana (UG). The purpose of the visit was to further discuss and agree on areas for collaboration between London South Bank University and the University of Guyana, and agree on a way forward for the UK Champions Support Group for UG. The latter is an informal network of senior university executives committed to supporting UG, chaired by Professor Phoenix.

The visitors engaged the Committee of Deans on collaboration for research and teaching-learning enhancement. Areas identified for collaboration are agriculture, bio-diversity, the health sciences, humanities and the soon-to-be-established School of Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation at UG. Meetings were held with students and faculty/staff at the University’s Institute for Distance and Continuing Education in New Amsterdam and the Berbice Campus at Tain, Corentyne.

The party also held discussions with the Hon. Dr Rupert Roopnarine, Minister of Education, H.E. Mr Greg Quinn, the British High Commissioner, and had a working lunch with civic leaders of New Amsterdam and Regions 5 and 6 at State House in New Amsterdam. The opportunity was taken to share developments at UG and further strengthen support for the University’s renaissance.

One highlight of the visit was the Inaugural Vice-Chancellor’s Renaissance Lecture, held at the Turkeyen Campus on February 2. Professor Phoenix spoke on “The Importance of the Entrepreneurial University for Nation-Building”, an issue that is a priority for the University’s Administration as it seeks to broaden its funding base beyond the government subvention and tuition/fees to include planned giving, merchandising, public-private partnerships, investments, grants and contracts. Grounded in his experience in a similar revitalisation of LSBU since he assumed office three years ago, Professor Phoenix’s ideas were deeply philosophical, informed by the latest research and most importantly practical, helping the audience to assess and analyse UG’s position.

Following the lecture, the two Vice-Chancellors took the opportunity to sign an agreement indicating their intention to work quickly to define specific implementation plans for the areas discussed. Vice- Chancellor Phoenix was also presented with the first University of Guyana Champion Award by Vice- Chancellor Griffith, for his continued interest in and support for UG and for his exemplary engagement in aiding the renaissance of the University of Guyana.

Meanwhile, the second Vice Chancellor's Lecture is scheduled for March 16. It will be delivered by Mr Ian Randle, Chairman of the Jamaica-based Ian Randle Publishers (IRP) on the subject "The Publishing Pillar of the Renaissance Bridge: Why, What, How". The Lecture will also provide the occasion for Mr Randle and Vice-Chancellor Griffith to sign a Memorandum of Understanding establishing a UG Press as an imprint of IRP. Pursuit of the UG Press is an integral part of Vice-Chancellor Griffith's efforts to stimulate and support research and scholarship at UG. Another key initiative in this respect is the recent establishment of the Vice-Chancellor's Research Support Fund, with GUY $1 million from private fund- raising.

About Professor David Andrew Phoenix

Professor David Andrew Phoenix, O.B.E., DL, DUniv, FAcSS, DSc is the Vice Chancellor of London South Bank University, Chair of million+, and a member of the HEFCE Strategic Committee for Teaching Quality and the Student Experience. He was elected to Fellowship of the Royal College of Physicians (Edinburgh) for his contribution to medical research and education and recognized as an Academician by the Academy of Social Sciences for his work in areas linked to educational policy. He currently represents Universities UK on the UK Performance Indicator Steering Group.

In 2015 the prime minister appointed him as a trustee of the Science Museum Group. He is also a trustee of Universities UK and a Director of National Centre for Universities and Business. With over 250 publications, Professor Phoenix remains a visiting professor at Kings College London and Sichuan University, China, as well as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry, The Society of Biology, The Institute of Mathematics and Its Applications and the Royal Society of Medicine. Through these later bodies he has engaged in a range of discussions regarding the skills agenda, especially related to employer requirements. In 2010 he was made an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire for services to Science and Higher Education and appointed as a Deputy Lieutenant of Greater London in 2015.

UG IN BRIEF
With a current enrollment of some 8,000 students, The University of Guyana (UG) has graduated more than 20,000 students who have gone on to successful careers locally, regionally and internationally. The University is also a major contributor to the national economy and to business and industry. Established in 1963 on a part-time basis with shared space at Queens College, UG moved to its own campus at Turkeyen in 1970 and expanded in 2000 with the addition of the Tain Campus. It now offers more than 60 Under- graduate and Post-graduate Programmes including the Natural Sciences, Engineering, Environmental Studies, Forestry, Urban Planning and Management, Tourism Studies, Education, Creative Arts, Economics, Law, Medicine, Optometry and Nursing. Several online programmes are available and The UG also offers extra-mural classes at four locations through its Institute of Distance and Continuing Education (IDCE). The UG also offers the opportunity for student engagement in debating, sports, and cultural, religious and professional activities.

Public Relations Division,
February 3, 2017.