The landmark University of Guyana Foundation (UGF), which was 8 years in the making, will be officially launched at 13:00 hrs. on Tuesday, February 8, 2022.  

The virtual launch will include remarks by Guyana-born British Member of Parliament David Lammy, Chairman of the UGF and Chancellor of the UG, Professor Edward Greene, a background to the establishment of the Foundation by Vice-Chancellor, XI Professor Paloma Mohamed Martin, and statements from the Conveners of the Associates in the USA, Canada and the UK, as well as representatives from UG’s Alumni and Student’s Associations.

The University Council in June 2018 approved the establishment of the Foundation, based on a proposal by then Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Philanthropy Alumni and Civic Engagement (PACE) Professor Mohamed. In October 2020, the Council also approved and appointed the first set of Trustees of the Foundation’s Board chaired by Chancellor Professor Edward Greene. A rigorous international search ensured that several well-known regional and international trustees were appointed to the board.  Among them are two former UG Chancellors, Professor Compton Bourne who is also a former President of CDB and Professor Nigel Harris MD, former UG Chancellor and retired Vice-Chancellor of UWI. The Board also includes Ms. Chandra Persaud Attorney at Law, overseas-based entrepreneur Gabriel Cunje, and Fidel Hinds Securities Fund Manager and Fellow of the Canadian Securities Institute, Accountant former Bank CEO and Chair of the Guyana Stock Exchange George Edwards, and Professor of Actuarial Science Colin Ramsay, University of Nebraska, USA, Vice-Chancellor and one Deputy Vice-Chancellor, as well as a student representative, are also members of the Board. 

The University of Guyana Foundation was incorporated in November 2021. Its function is clearly differentiated from that of the Office of Philanthropy Alumni and Civic Engagement (PACE) which helps to set and achieve the institutional immediate operational fundraising targets for the University. Whereas, the UG Foundation is focused on creating a substantial long-term endowment fund for the University which UG has never had. 

Additionally, as the University strides towards its 60th anniversary in 2023, the University’s administration has identified a number of major grand challenges for the Foundation’s first fundraising programme to support UG’s strategic Blueprint 2040 Plan. These Grand Challenges include: (i) Investing in Human Capital for a Sustainable Future with special reference to student centeredness; (ii) Securing a Green Sustainably Responsible University to Serve a Green Guyana and Sustainable Planet; (iii) Modernizing Essential Systems and Services by leveraging technology: and (iv) Accelerating Innovation through Centres of Excellence and Research Institutes. 

An open invitation has been issued to alumni, students, staff, partners, and members of the public. Attendees are kindly asked to register in advance for the event here: 

https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_L1fzRpn1TR2ElkuxIzT3Kw

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UG IN BRIEF

The University of Guyana is the 58th-year State University of Guyana. It offers 136 programmes in over 60 disciplines online and face-to-face in 8 campuses across Guyana. With a student population of now 10,000, UG has provided education, learning, and research for over 50,000 alumni. The mission of the University is to discover, generate, disseminate and apply knowledge of the highest standard for the service of the community, the nation, and of all mankind within an atmosphere of academic freedom that allows for free and critical inquiry. UG's forward-thinking Blueprint 2040 is currently setting the course for the University's future design and institutional response to the changing needs of Guyana.

Contact:      
Ms. Krest Cummings
Public Relations Officer
Department of Events Conferences and Communications (DECC)
592-623-5104