Massive Step for the Indigenous Communities in Guyana, Regionally ...As University of Guyana, South Rupununi District Council and the Aishalton Village Council ink agreement for JOINT ESTABLISHMENT of Maoka Taawa University of the Forests Campus

(University of Guyana/Turkeyen Campus/ June 25, 2024/ University of Guyana’s- Maoka Taawa University of the Forests Campus in Aishalton)

It will stand before the majestic and mystical Paint Mountain. A one-of-a-kind, a marvel, a monument to intelligence and a testament to the persistent and persevering knowledge of a people...Our people, Maoka Taawa University of the Forests.

In a series of three simple but highly significant events in the indigenous village of Aishalton, a sixteen-year-old dream of our indigenous brothers and sisters in the South Rupununi made a massive step to becoming a reality. Seven of nine Village Toshao, along with a number of high- level officials from the 21 Villages of the South Rupununi District, regions, as well as officials from the University of Guyana’s oldest campus in Turkeyen Georgetown, gathered to witness the signing of a historic and monumental document and the turning of the sod which officially brought into legal life, the agreement to create the University of Guyana’s “Maoka Taawa University of the Forests” Campus.

This blended campus of the University will serve the 21 communities of the South Rupununi, which is closer to the Brazilian border than Georgetown, as well as other indigenous communities in proximity.

The joint venture between the University of Guyana, the South Rupununi District Council (SRDC) and Aishalton Village Council is a landmark action since it vests equal but diverse responsibilities for the resourcing, management and sustainability of the project in all three signatories.

Maoka Taawa University of the Forests is likely to be one of the few, if not the only, entity
of this type and scope in Guyana, the region and possibly globally since it is situated on
Indigenous titled lands.

Maoka Taawa University of the Forests Campus penetrates an underserved and difficult to
reach area with an indigenous population of over 11,000 in 21 villages over a vast and highly
dispersed territory. Collectively, the South produces over 600 secondary school graduates a
year but less than 5% move on to higher education. Those who do must often leave their
territory for long periods often never to fully return. The geographic location and other social
conditions have presented a challenge to higher education and training until now.
Environmental layouts are enabling many of these communities’ prior plans to become a reality.

Initially, Maoka Taawa University of the Forests will offer courses designed around the
specific needs and interests of the residents of the communities. Decisions are guided by data
collected from the communities in the South Rupununi, from structured surveys, qualitative
interfaces and observational exercises. Based on this data, seven disciplines have been
prioritised for early delivery. These are; education, agriculture, environmental sciences,
sustainable tourism, medical sciences, sustainable engineering, construction and infrastructure,
business, indigenous knowledge, entrepreneurship and accounting. Additionally, one hundred and fifty students will be accepted from the 254 who have indicated early interest.

The phased model which is being developed is based on a small physical footprint and an innovative incremental micro-credit academic structure. Initial focus will be upon both professions and vocations for livelihoods. Creating opportunities for a better life through education and training of their people is a key part of the project.

Michael Thomas, Former Toshao of Aishalton Village who chaired the proceedings on Saturday, told the packed Village Benab that the SRDC had created a key place for education in its Village Development Plans since 2008 but “had not gotten much traction until about a year ago when a delegation of 5 Toshaos travelled to UG’s Turkeyen Campus to float their idea to the University.”

Thomas, Kid James, Toshao Ronald, young UG graduate and now ToshaoTimoty Williams along with two other Toshao were integral to the recent year-long negotiations with the University through the office of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Paloma Mohamed Martin.

Vice-Chancellor Prof. Paloma Mohamed Martin said, “When they showed up in my office, I could not imagine what five (5) Toshaos could want, but it soon became evident that they were clear. My main contribution was to listen and then to ask one question- “Why a field station, why not a campus?” And that was it. They basically drove it from there, very fast, through all the processes of navigating village consensus, legal and titling issues. To my team it was a Godsent opportunity to really enable UG’s aspirational goal of at least one graduate per household. This is a massively important moment for many reasons. It is one of the universally powerful projects. Minimalist but much good. We will do the best we can for them with the little we have.”

The UG Investigating Task Force for University of the Forests included Vice-Chancellor Prof. Paloma Mohamed Martin, Dr Gyanpriya Maharaj, former Director of UG Centre for Biological Diversity; Calvin Bernard - Director for UG’s Institute for Marine and River Ecologies and Economies; Shevion Sears, Tara Smith, Shomari Williams and Monica Hugh. They were joined by Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Finance and Administration Dr. Diana Gobin and Dr. Malcolm Williams, Director of UG’s Tactical Online Services Unit.

Toshao of the Aishalton, Timoty Williams, said his entire “energy and focus over the past year was to help make this happen along with other key persons. Education is what we have yearned for, we know it’s the key to everything. This is a historic and proud moment for us. I am privileged to be part of it.”

Please see this link for audio visual materials of the inaugurating activities:

Click here to follow Video links for full proceedings: <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/12po7tr3F7NSyoYRI-7GDb0lJ8wgVl37w/view?…"> Video Proceedings</a>

Links to photos: <a href="https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/16DFR- T4UWJbFAkTkAo54gZGpTJCjb8_y?usp=sharing"> Photos </a>

About The University of Guyana The University of Guyana, the national University of Guyana, now in its 60th year, was founded in October 1963, three years before Guyana became independent. “UG” as it is fondly referred to offers over 160 distinct programmes in over 60 disciplines from Certificates, Diplomas, Associate Degrees, Bachelor’s Degrees, Master’s Degrees to Ph.D.’s. These programmes are offered online, face-to-face or in blended formats. UG delivers through a Guyana-based system across eight campuses. This includes its 35-year-old community-based Institute for Distance and Continuing Education (IDCE) and the second major campus at Tain in Berbice celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2025. The University of Guyana’s student population is over 11,000.

Through its 8 Academic Divisions, including an accredited College of Medical Sciences, School of Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation and the Faculty of Earth and Environmental Sciences which is ranked # 5 globally. “UG” has provided education, training and research for over 60,000 alumni over its 60-year history with significant national and global impact. Other faculties include the Faculty of Engineering and Technology, the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, the Faculty of Natural Sciences, the College of Behavioural Sciences and Research, the Faculty of Education and Humanities and the Faculty of Social Sciences. The University is also home to 10 Research Institutes including the internationally important Centre for Biodiversity, the Institute for Food and Nutrition Security, the Institute for Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, the Institute for Energy Diplomacy, the Green Institute, the Institute for Human Resiliency, Strategic Security and the Future, and the International Centre for Excellence in Early Childhood Education. The mission of the University of Guyana is to discover, generate, disseminate and apply knowledge of the highest standard for the advancement of communities, the nation, and mankind within an atmosphere of academic freedom, transparent accountability, pragmatic innovation and universal respect. 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, the region and the world. UG is currently celebrating its 60th anniversary with a renewed focus on becoming the leading teaching and research University in Guyana. Visit UG at www.uog.edu.gy. 

Contact:

Mrs. Krest Petty
Public Relations Officer
Department of Events, Conferences, and Communication (DECC)
Office of the Vice-Chancellor
University of Guyana
Turkeyen Campus
592-623-5104

Ms. Shevon Nedd
Assistant Public Relations Officer
Department of Events, Conferences, and Communication (DECC)
Office of the Vice-Chancellor
University of Guyana
Turkeyen Campus
592-620-3730

-End-