Qualfon, a business process outsourcing and call centre services provider last week signed an affiliation agreement with the University of Guyana (UG).
The agreement outlined the intention to provide educational opportunities that will support students at both Qualfon and the university, a release from the company said.
“Qualfon is partnering with the University of Guyana so we can offer accredited college courses to our employees and especially to our supervisors,” Qualfon’s Chief Mission Officer Roberto Sanchez Mejorada said.
“We are a company that engineers our business around the things that matter most to our employees – like family, health, community, spirituality, and of course – education.”
Qualfon said most of its contact centre agents are young Guyanese working to build a career so they can become self-sufficient and support their families.
“Qualfon is taking strategic steps to open the doors to a college education and to help ensure our employees have the opportunities they want and deserve,” said Qualfon’s Corporate University Manager Alejandro Perez, who is leading the higher educational programmes.
Qualfon University Coordinator Debra Gibbs described the agreement as a dream come true for Qualfon.
“We want to make it as easy as possible for our employees and supervisors to get ahead and succeed in life, and our partnership with the University of Guyana lays a strong foundation for that initiative.”
The affiliation agreement specifically refers to “exchange programmes beneficial to the respective educational institutions” that will “promote the development of joint studies, research, and training activities, and other educational programmes of mutual interest.”
According to the release, specific programme details surrounding these educational opportunities are still in development, but Qualfon executives have indicated that they aim to offer online classes, career training programmes, and professional development mentoring through the collaboration agreement with the university.
In September 2013, Qualfon broke ground on a multi-building contact centre campus on the East Bank Demerara, and the construction plans include an educational facility where employees will receive job training and could potentially attend college courses taught by lecturers from the University of Guyana.
The agreement was signed during Qualfon’s annual company meeting, held at the Pegasus Hotel. UG’s Vice Chancellor, Dr Jacob Opadeyi and Qualfon’s Chief Executive Officer Mike Marrow, signed the contract.
“Everyone has the right to higher education, and with the help of Qualfon, we are working to fill gaps in educational opportunities,” said Dr Opadeyi at the signing ceremony. “Our agreement with Qualfon will advance the quality of life for the Guyanese.
This is a moment that we have been looking forward to, and we can’t wait to get started.”
