The landmark University of Guyana Foundation (UGF) was officially launched on Tuesday, February 8, 2022, paving the way for a long-term independent endowment fund to be established and for international partnerships to be forged and strengthened, all aimed at supporting UG’s efforts to become a world-class institution of higher learning.
The UGF provides another platform along with the University’s anchored office of Philanthropy, Alumni and Civic Engagement (PACE) for regional and international stakeholders, alumni groups, private and public establishments, and other partners of the University to provide financial and other forms of support to the University.
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 Paloma Mohamed Martin. In October 2020, the Council 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, the former President of Caribbean Development Bank (CDB); and Professor Nigel Harris MD, former UG Chancellor and retired Vice-Chancellor of the University of the West Indies.
The Board also includes Ms. Chandra Persaud, Attorney at Law; overseas-based entrepreneur Gabriel Cunje; Fidel Hinds, Securities Fund Manager and Fellow of the Canadian Securities Institute; former bank CEO and Chair of the Guyana Stock Exchange, George Edwards; and Professor of Actuarial Science Colin Ramsay. The Vice-Chancellor and one Deputy Vice-Chancellor, as well as a student and an alumni representative respectively, are also members of the Board.
The University of Guyana Foundation was incorporated in November 2021.
Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand applauded the launch of the UGF, noting that the UGF holds tremendous promise for the advancement of the University’s strategic objectives.
Minister Manickchand observed that Guyana is on a rapid pace of development and the UGF could not have been launched at a more opportune time.
According to Minister Manickchand, UG’s strategic positioning will significantly advance the Foundation’s ability to attract endowments and foster partnerships with a series of regional and international higher educational institutions.
University of Guyana’s Chancellor and Chair of the UGF, Prof. Edward Greene, provided a detailed outline of what the Foundation encompasses and introduced the Board of Trustees, Ex-Officio Members, and international corporate associates of the Foundation.
The UGF will help the University achieve its ambitious goals set out in the strategic 2040 Blueprint and its Grand Challenge Goals for UG’s 60th anniversary in October 2023. Some of those include: becoming a leader in technical and applied knowledge; becoming the centre of Excellence for research relevant to Guyana’s development; and producing skilled graduates fit for purpose and success.
