The University of Guyana, Faculty of Engineering and Technology in partnership with the United States Embassy in Georgetown, on June 3, 2020 hosted a Zoom Webinar titled: ‘A University in Transition: Accreditation for a Sustaina- ble Economy (EASE)’. The purpose of the webinar was to discuss accreditation of the University of Guyana’s Faculty of Engineering and Technology (FET) Programmes.

The FET will be seeking accreditation with the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), which certifies the quality of postsecondary education and provides assurance that programmes meet top-tier global quality standards for engineering.

The accreditation process is being guided by an ABET Committee comprising a four member team under the leadership of U.S Fulbright Scholar to the University of Guyana, Professor Norman Munroe, a Guyanese born Professor at Florida State University who has spent the last year at UG working with the Committee on accreditation. The other members are Dr Anna Perreira, Lecturer, Department of Architecture and Head of FET Research; Ms. Elena Trim, Head, Department of Mechanical Engineering and Mr. Anil James, Industrial Liaison Officer, FET.

Accreditation is being sought for the Architectural, Industrial, Mechanical, Civil and Electrical Engineering Pro- grammes. The long-term objective of the faculty is to build the necessary human capital (quality graduates) for the in- dustrial sectors including the new Oil & Gas Industry.

The lengthy process of accreditation includes several ABET established quality standards/criteria have to be met in or- der for the programmes to be accredited: Self-Study Assessment, Student Input, Programme Educational Objectives, Student Outcomes, Continuous Improvement, Policy and Processes, Curriculum, Faculty, Facilities and Institutional Support, explained Professor Munroe.

During her Welcome Remarks U.S Ambassador, Ms. Sarah Ann-Lynch explained that accreditation will help UG to achieve global quality standards, she assured that the US Embassy stands ready to help the University of Guyana in this regard.

We (UG) need to recognise that knowledge production is linked to economic competitiveness. Therefore, the new dis- pensation of the University of Guyana is trending towards online learning and research, we need to define new roles in the information system and grasp its range of possibilities, this includes investment in human capital for sustainable de- velopment, cited Professor Edward Greene. He also thanked everyone and intoned the importance of UG in the regional education system and in ensuring a sustainable and viable Caribbean region.

Professor Paloma Mohamed- Martin, Deputy Vice- Chancellor, Philanthropy, Alumni and Civic Engagement (PACE) and Chair of the UG Transitional Management Committee (TMC) said the University of Guyana’s Blueprint, holds out 7 aspirational goals for UG and one is to be a model of the nation in every way. Therefore, professional quality is high on the University’s agenda, hence the accreditation of several of the programmes is being prioritised. Bearing in mind that the process and the prize of accreditation are resource intensive, The University had prioritised labs, human resources and curriculum relevancy in this year’s budget. Prof. Mohamed congratulated the team and thanked everyone for their contributions to the process thus far.

UG serves the country well with its graduates and the institution is critical for the Oil and Gas Sector and Guyana, ex- plained Mr. Ron Henson from CGX Guyana. Like the U.S Ambassador, he endorsed the importance of UG achieving internationally recognised standards.

These standards would give students Confidence in the quality of Education being received from the University of Guy- ana, along with Recognition and acknowledgement around the world, it will also present Opportunities to create links and networking in society explained Mr. Joshua Trotman, Student Work Group Representative of the FET.

“Guyana has the potential to become the richest country in the world”, explained Mr. Vincent Adams, Executive Direc- tor of the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, “we have the resources”. However, “education is needed, Education attracts foreign investment,” thus, raising the standard of UG is especially important and ABET accreditation is long overdue.

The event was chaired by Ms. Violeta Talandis, US Embassy Public Affairs officer, Welcome Remarks were given by Ms. Sarah-Ann Lynch, US Ambassador in Guyana; Opening Remarks by Prof. Eddie Greene, Chancellor, University of Guyana; Prof. Paloma Mohamed-Martin, Deputy Vice- Chancellor, Philanthropy, Alumni and Civic Engagement (PACE) and Chair of the UG Transitional Management Committee (TMC) spoke about the role of FET’s in Guyana’s workforce development. U.S Fulbright Scholar and FIU Professor , Professor Norman Munroe, Dr Anna Perreira, Lec- turer, Department of Architecture and Head of FET Research; Ms. Elena Trim, Head, Department of Mechanical Engi- neering and Mr. Anil James, Industrial Liaison Officer, FET, elaborated on ABET Accreditation of Engineering Pro- grammes. Endorsements were made by the following ABET Constituents: Mr. Rod Henson Exxon Representative, Em- ployer representative, Mr. Stuart Hughes, Guyana Association of Professional Engineers, Industry representative; Mr. Vincent Adams, Executive Director, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Alumni representative; and Student rep- resentative, Mr. Joshua Trotman, Student, FET. Closing Remarks were given by Ms. Verlyn Klass, Dean of the faculty of Engineering & Technology.

Public Relations Division
June 5, 2020