In response to a skills gap within both the public and private sectors, the University of Guyana’s School of Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation (SEBI) has introduced a new Masters of Science (MSc) in Supply Chain Management (SCM). The Masters is among a list of several new programmes being introduced by the University at both the Undergraduate and Post-graduate levels for the 2021/2022 Academic Year, which will begin tomorrow.
In a press release issued last Thursday, the university said the carefully crafted MSc in Supply Chain Management programme is intended to address some critical needs within Guyana. It explained that it was drafted by a team from SEBI under the leadership of its Dean, Prof. Leyland Lucas. The core drafters included Teneisha Johnny, Mandie Mickle, and Carol Webster.
SEBI considers this programme of critical importance in fulfilling its mandate to offer programmes relevant to national development. In a brief comment, Lucas said: “Launching the MSc in Supply Chain Management is timely in Guyana. The programme is robust and satisfies the demands of both industry and academia, and has been built around international and regional standards. The programme makes extensive use of simulations to ensure that students receive both theoretical and practical exposure to relevant issues. More importantly, it requires students to examine critical and relevant issues that may impact on SCM decisions, rather than simply focusing on the theoretical issues of the field.”
The programme will be offered online and both local and foreign faculties will be utilized to deliver the curriculum. The programme comprises of 42 credits which are to be completed over two (2) years (five semesters). To ensure that students gain more than theoretical exposure to the issues in this programme, they are required to prepare a final project. This final project is intended to provide them with an opportunity to show their understanding of issues critical to Supply Chain Management and how these can be addressed. Prof. Lucas added: “Globally, there are significant concerns about the pandemic’s impact on the Supply Chain for industries. With the pandemic came increased focus on online shopping, and these products must be sourced from somewhere. A recent publication stated that businesses might not be able to carry adequate stocks of products for the holiday season. Clearly, SCM is more than just a mundane issue.”
The release said SEBI has also launched a new Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Sustainable Tourism Management. The new BSc programme in Sustainable Tourism Management has replaced the Bachelor of Arts in Tourism and the Associate of Arts in Tourism Studies. It is geared towards addressing the growing needs of Guyana and the region by creating a new group of graduates who will possess the competence, knowledge, and practical skills to aid in viewing sustainable tourism as a vital mechanism to the economic development of Guyana; appreciating the imperativeness of balancing tourism, the protection of the physical and social environment and economic development; and respecting the historical importance and knowledge of indigenous communities and valuing their contributions to development.
The programme is scheduled to commence online in late October 2021. It is comprised of 126 credits, which are to be completed over four (4) years (eight semesters) and will be offered both online and face-to-face modes.
Persons interested in pursuing one of the programmes being offered by SEBI are asked to visit the following link: https://sebi.uog.edu.gy/academic-programmes.
