Eight grants were awarded to teams of academic staff at the University of Guyana by the Ministry of Education yesterday as part of a project to strengthen the four science and technology faculties in the university.
The University of Guyana Science and Technology Support Project (UGSTSP) is based on a US$10M credit from the World Bank to the Government of Guyana. The project is expected to be implemented over a five-year period to better prepare graduates for jobs in low carbon industries and build sustainable capacity to operate the university and plan for its future development. The four faculties are: the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, the Natural Sciences Faculty, the Technology Faculty and the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences.
The improvement of the quality of science education through curriculum reform and support for research in Low Carbon Development (LCD) areas, and upgraded physical infrastructure have been cited as the focus of the project.
The grants, handed over by Education Minister Priya Manickchand, would be used to facilitate the stimulation of research in LCD areas, through the encouragement of the generation of knowledge products—which will directly contribute to Guyana’s LCD Strategy, and support the development of broader research at the university.
Under this component of the project, twenty-one academics would be working in eight teams to investigate Guyana’s mangrove forest carbon storage potential, the culture and propagation of edible mushrooms on different organic substrates in Guyana, the impact of artisanal and small scale mining on biodiversity in the Mahdia mining district and the effects of educational intervention about “Bush Medicine” on the knowledge, attitudes and practices of Pharmacists and Physicians.
The team will also study the effects of Momordica Charantia (Corilla) on secondary and primary cancer cell lines and evaluate the use of solar generated steam power in the university’s thermodynamics laboratory.
The findings of their investigation is expected to lead to the preparation of public policy recommendations; the development of LCDS relevant services and products; and generation of field research skills among academics at the university.
Within the next two weeks, a second call for proposals will be published and academic staff would be given three months to prepare and submit proposals of consideration. A study is also expected to start soon for the establishment of a research and innovation fund at the university.
Vice-Chancellor of the University Jacob Opadeyi said it was a major milestone in paving the way for others to come, while thanking the World Bank for the loan. It is estimated that a total of 40 grants will be funded under the project.
