A task force established to transform the University of Guyana (UG) has proposed a range of quality assurance measures and emphasised the autonomous nature of the institution, however on the key area of funding there was no major shift.
A day before the opening of the February 11-13 forum at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre, new Chancellor Dr Nigel Harris had underlined the importance of financing to sustained higher standards at the institution.
However, in the proposals released yesterday by the task force there was no immediate sign of increased funding to UG though room is being made for long talked about consultancies to be offered by university personnel.
Three broad rubrics were addressed: governance, resource mobilisation and options for funding UG and quality assurance-academic issues/student services.
On the vital area of funding, the 30-member task force said that the Office of Planning and Development should be re-organised and empowered to take the lead in the resource mobilisation initiatives and measures identified by the task force.
Further, the Office of Planning and Development should be mandated to prepare a matrix with the issues and recommendations identified by the Task Force for resource mobilisation efforts, timelines for implementation and the agencies and individuals to be engaged to give effect to these efforts.
The task force said that those options should be considered to “enable and expect Academic Faculties/ Schools to undertake initiatives to assist in supporting their academic activities (e.g. research grants, travel to meetings, etc.). Such initiatives should, include consultancies, in specific areas of Faculty/School specialisation with a cost sharing mechanism for allocating resources obtained therefrom”.
Over the years, there have been several attempts to revamp resource mobilisation activities but these have not yielded sufficient revenues. In recent years, the quantum of tuition fees and the size of the subvention from the government to UG have been major talking points in relation to the financing of the University. Tuition fees were increased in 2014.
In the area of governance, the task force declared “That a critical imperative in the transformation process MUST be the recognition by all stakeholders that the University of Guyana is an autonomous institution”. This declaration appears to acknowledge that over the years there have been attempts from outside the university to diminish its autonomy.
The task force recommended that a broad-based Committee be created immediately by the University Council to evaluate and make recommendations for changes to the University Act and University Statutes including the composition of the Council and the core competencies needed for effective Governance. It was agreed that the University should immediately seek the formal support of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) to facilitate this process as part of the Bank’s Institutional Development for the University of Guyana.
The task force said that UG through the Council, must be accountable to the Government, students, staff, donors, alumni and the wider Guyanese community.
It further said that for effective governance, there should be a clear distinction between the Council’s role in approving and overseeing policy and that of the Administration whose role is to execute policy and be responsible for the day to day administration of the University.
According to the task force, the new Vice-Chancellor, whose tenure should be for a minimum of five years in the first instance, should be given the opportunity to analyse the recommendations coming from the Task Force and take the lead in executing the approved recommendations.
Urgent consideration to the inclusion of a Legal Officer of the University as part of the Institution’s Administrative and Organizational Structure was also recommended along with a Corporate Communications and Integrated Marketing Strategy so as to enable a greater level of visibility for the University;
Academic issues
In the longest section of its recommendations, the task force said there should be greater investment in Science and Technology in the context of “forging new knowledge to meet Guyana’s developmental needs”. This has also been urged by the private sector and other stakeholders over the years.
The task force said that the University should be revamped to give the Faculties a greater role in the management of the University and that the incoming Vice-Chancellor be mandated to take the lead in mobilising the entire University community to embrace a culture of “best practice” in every aspect of UG’s operations.
It also called for a Quality Assurance Unit as a matter of priority and the continuation of efforts to improve the teaching skills of the academic community.
Curriculum and curriculum reform should be given priority, the task force said and the assistance of the CDB should be sought in facilitating this.
Greater accountability from Academic and Administrative staff in delivering student focused and student friendly services at the University was also called for by the task force.
Creating a profile of the University of Guyana and defining and creating the ideal UG student must be accorded a high priority, the task force further said.
It further recommended that urgent consideration be given to the rationalisation of the University’s Time Table to “enable adequate planning for participants managing and overseeing university activities.”
Immediate updating of all university policies and the creation of manuals for specific areas of the university’s operations where these do not exist was also recommended by the task force.
The task force included the current UG council as well as representatives from the private sector, civil society and the regional and international community.
Representing the private sector/civil society are Dr Clarence Perry, Guyana Power and Light’s Human Resources Director Bal Parsaud, acting Chancellor Carl Singh and General Manager of Citizens Bank Sarah Parris.
The regional and international community is represented by academics Dr Maya Trotz, Ian Robertson, Colin Ramsay, Dr Wanda Chesney as well as Dr Idamay Denny of the CDB.
