Institutes and Research Centres
This report includes a summary of the ‘Institutes’ created by the University of Guyana, Approval Dates and Objectives.
Centre of Excellence for Teaching and Learning (CoETaL)
Approval Date: February 22, 2019
Key Objectives:
1. To utilize the strengths of staff with the competencies to build stronger teachers in the
academy;
2. To use innovative methods and technologies to improve the capacity of faculty in enriching
the teaching and learning environment;
3. To work closely with the Office of Academic Engagement, Faculties, Library, Registry,
Academic advising, CIT and Software in its program delivery;
4. To build capacity of Faculty to integrate teaching, learning, internship and other related
approaches in their course delivery;
5. To provide support for curriculum design and development for teaching in traditional,
blended and e-learning environments;
6. To provide guidance for program evaluation in a structured way on all programs when
required (traditional, blended and e-learning environments);
7. To provide costed trainings and advisement to sister agencies and institutions as needed;
and
8. To create opportunities to ensure respect for diversity and equal opportunity.
This was the institute that was responsible for supporting all the training of staff and students in UG’s evolution to the online mode during Covid 19. It is also responsible for staff training, new staff orientations and UG’s educator conferences.
Confucius Institute (CI)
Approval Date: May 19, 2014
Key Objectives:
1. To promote Chinese Language and Culture;
2. To support local Chinese teaching internationally; and
3. To facilitate cultural exchanges.
Institute of Energy Diplomacy
Approval Date: 2019
Key Objectives:
1. To research
2. To train
3. To advocate
The University of Guyana’s Institute for Energy Diplomacy is a Research, Training and Advocacy Unit that informs and enriches the understanding, policies and performance of Guyana’s energy market by pursuing excellence in its advanced multi-disciplinary research on major energy issues, relevant cutting edge professional training on areas of energy and active engagement with external stakeholders.
In particular IED has been providing training for non-production sectors of the Oil and Gas sector such as finances, accounting, value chain, insurance, law and negotiation for the sector. The institute offers short courses which can be combined to create post graduate credentials. The institute is the interlocutor on energy issues for the University and a plethora of institutions and agencies. IED works on energy justice also.
Institute of Distance & Continuing Education (IDCE)
Approval Date: January 2, 1976
Key Objectives:
1. To enhance the potential of the University of Guyana in creating and influencing change
within the context of national aspirations;
2. To provide learning opportunities which would help to develop the capacity of the adult
individual to participate more effectively in the process of change;
3. To increase the awareness of the interaction between formal and non-formal education
and to provide facilities for a continuum of educational integration and interaction;
4. To identify areas of research for which there is need and to ensure that the results of
research are made available to the community at large;
5. To provide training courses for trainers engaged in continuing education; and
6. To assist in the development and co-ordination of existing resources in continuing
education.
In fulfilling its objectives, the Institute provides leadership in the field of Adult Open and Distance learning, develops and implements a variety of educational programmes. It operates within communities and in collaboration with Faculties of the University, Government, as well as non- Governmental agencies.
The Institute’s programmes allow adults to choose courses which are directly related to their needs, be they for personal development and enrichment, job advancement or higher academic pursuits.
Institute of Gender Studies (IGS)
Approval Date: 7/8/2015
Key Objectives:
Through the creation of a modern and interactive hub for the interrogation of issues of women and gender, the Institute will build up an international reputation of excellence in teaching, research and social action thereby contributing to the enhancement and sustainability of the globally endorsed rights of women. Specifically the Institute will:
1. Introduce a cross-faculty introductory, foundation course in Gender Studies for first year
students;
2. Introduce online undergraduate and post graduate teaching programs for faculty, students
and other stakeholders. (Masters, Doctoral studies);
3. Strongly encourage and support faculty and students to undertake interdisciplinary
research linked to the research agenda. Together with partners fundraise for the conduct
of research and scholarship;
4. Take the lead in the annual review of the UG sexual harassment policy, compliance and
related penalties guiding the policy;
5. Contribute towards the delivery of community outreach/extra mural programs in
communities, civil society groups, NGOs and governmental agencies;
6. Lobby government and non-government partners (W&GEC and others) to provide an
annual Academic Scholarship to support one female UG student in the fields of Technology
and Sciences; or other non-traditional field of study;
7. Encourage government and non-government partners (W&GEC and others) to provide an
annual Research scholarship to support one UG student to undertake research on a topic
related to women and gender studies; and
8. Utilize the expertise of the University (Centre for communications), and with partners
promote advocacy messages to foster critical thinking and actions on women, gender and
human rights.
This institute leads UG support work in Gender for several government agencies in gender sensitivity training, community and inter-personal pacification projects. The institute also delivers several programmes in gender and development at the University as well as in communities.
Institute of Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship (IRIE)
Approval Date: June 8, 2021
Key Objectives:
The UGIRIE focuses on award-winning concepts in business that will facilitate the expansion of business opportunities for young people. Programmes and courses offer practical approaches to establishing, accelerating, and scaling up businesses. In its short existence, this institute has produced several exhibitions of innovations and inventions of staff and students of the University, has published a book on select University of Guyana Innovations, has progressed the work of design and development of various flours using local tubers such as sweet potato, pioneered the resuscitation of the Mocca Market day,, and hosted several workshops on entrepreneurship and innovation for students and communities from which over 20 several cottage businesses have emerged. UGIRE also works on protection, patents and intellectual property for UG-centered inventions.
Institute of Food and Nutrition Security (IFANS)
Approval Date: March 2018
Key Objectives:
1.Contribute to policy formulation, implementation and review by providing technical
assistance for assessments and analyses of policy implementation;
2. Develop and mount accredited academic and outreach programmes of excellence
branded to promote food and nutrition security;
3. Develop and deliver relevant and current training programmes to advance public
knowledge to promote individual wellness, community and national development.
4. Develop short training programmes to support entrepreneurship and business
development in the food and nutrition space.
5. Develop and implement food safety programmes for farm-to-plate food processing.
6. Engage non-government and community groups in projects, operational research,
knowledge development and dissemination, and support for advocacy for policy
formulation and reformulation.
7. Establish a fully accessible internet-based data base of information on food and nutrition
security, including research data, laws, policies, protocols and national, regional and
international agreements.
8. Provide laboratory and seminar facilitates for training, research in food and nutrition
security, and commercial product development.
9. Support research and development across the food and nutrition security spectrum, with
attention given to the nexus between food security and nutrition security vis-à-vis the
situation of Guyana and the Caribbean region.
10. Serve as observatories and incubators for food safety, food security and compliance with
national and international standards.
Though this institute was approved in 2018, it has just been staffed ( 2022) through a grant and has begun to produce the first policy and innovation design documents for Guyana and the Caribbean. 8.
Institute for Human Resiliency, Strategic Security and the Future (IHRSSF)
Approval Date: October 15, 2021
Key Objectives:
1. To observe and study human resilience globally;
2. To perhaps develop the discipline of human resiliency systems;
3. To generate research, disseminate knowledge, teaching and policy around the question
of human resiliency;
4. To generate research, disseminate knowledge, teaching and policy around the question
of strategic human security;
5. To generate research, disseminate knowledge, teaching and policy around the question
of Guyana’s future in the context of humanity’s future and the future of planet earth;
6. To provide a common academic space for international multi-and cross disciplinary
partnerships, to galvanize funding and intellectual resources who will work across
disciplines, space, time and dimensions in regard to human resilience; and
7. To systematize and institutionalize resilience as a human attribute and practice at all
levels of society through teaching and action research especially amongst the young and
those perceived as historically vulnerable.
This institute supports several specially developed taught courses for several security agencies in Guyana as well as taught courses in resiliency, trauma and development. It offers the only 1 year Masters Degree in Development Studies developed for the military in the region. This institute also works on youth and Futures.
Institute of Growth in a Resource-abundant Economy and Environment (UG GREEN Institute)
Approval Date: 2019
Key Objectives:
1. To mobilise and coordinate the resources, including the current faculty and programmes
of the University of Guyana and Guyanese in the Diaspora, to contribute to the
development of the proposed University of Guyana GREEN Institute;
2. To provide a destination for researchers on assistantship, associateship, post doc and
other fellowships and visiting academics and international study abroad programmes in
order to bring in a range of resources including funding via foundations and others;
3. To facilitate pertinent volunteers and students on attachments;
4. To develop novel and rigorous programmes of executive training, research and policy
analysis and development around the three pillars of the green economy;
5. To ensure that the output of the Institute is integrated into policy, business practices and
more generally, social awareness;
6. To mobilise and coordinate the resources, including the current faculty and programmes
of the University of Guyana and Guyanese in the Diaspora, to contribute to the
development of the proposed University of Guyana GREEN Institute;
7. To provide a destination for researchers on assistantship, associateship, post doc and
other fellowships and visiting academics and international study abroad programmes in
order to bring in a range of resources including funding via foundations and others
8. To facilitate pertinent volunteers and students on attachments;
9. To develop novel and rigorous programmes of executive training, research and policy
analysis and development around the three pillars of the green economy; and
10. To ensure that the output of the Institute is integrated into policy, business practices and
more generally, social awareness.
Water Worlds Institute for Marine, Freshwater Sciences and River Economies
Approval Date: 2023
Key Objectives:
1. To educate and scale fishermen in Berbice business;
2. To conduct research on the marine and freshwater environments of Guyana, with special
reference to their biological resources; and
3. to conduct research on the marine and freshwater environments of Guyana, with special
reference to their biological resources
International Center for Migration and Diaspora Studies (ICMDS)
Approval Date: July, 2023
Key Objectives:
1. To develop and coordinate research tools for studying the history and culture of the
Guyanese Diaspora and other diaspora’s of interest.
2. To develop courses, training products, and academic programme on relevant areas of
interest and need around diaspora and migration.
3. To support the work of the GoG’s Diaspora Engagement Unit as required
4. To initiate and encourage global research projects in Diaspora studies and to assist in their
implementation.
5. To publish and disseminate the Center’s research projects.
6. Organize diaspora seminars, workshops, conferences, and webinars
7. Provide a framework and platform for partnerships and knowledge sharing between global
academic institutions and the University of Guyana to enhance knowledge, technology,
skills and resource sharing between communities and institutions using best practices for
mutual benefit.