The University of Guyana (UG) produces an average of 1151 graduates per year but the question is whether the skills produced meet the needs of Guyana's economy or are just for export.
Vincent Alexander, De-puty Registrar at the Univer-sity of Guyana, said that rather than the needs of Guy-ana's economy, "market forc-es and their own capacity to produce graduates, drives UG. Some programmes were run with quotas such as marketing. Which took on 25 applicants per year at one point. This is not done at present."
With specific focus on the law programme he said it once admitted 25 students per year but now it has increased to about 40 students. He noted that they "cannot really control that since this programme also attracts the largest number of foreign students. They are forced by demand or student applications to increase the numbers."
He noted also that UG sometimes responds to national needs in collaboration with outside agencies. For instance, Omai required geologists and the Forestry Commission indicated a necessity for forestry graduates.
Public Relations Officer at UG, Paulette Paul said, "the government should be in a better position to answer queries as to the amount of graduates needed in specific areas of study." Alexander supported this statement on national educational needs.
Paul said, "new programmes in nursing and the International Relations Degree programme were in response to national demand. We try to meet demand as we see fit with the introduction of new programmes."
On the question of the production of graduates for export, Paul said, "this should not only be a problem for UG but the government as well." Since, "we are not producing students for overseas markets, but they will go where they find employment or study opportunities for further study. It is hoped that after study they will return to work in Guyana."
Dr Mark Kirton, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences stated that, "the university is producing for the global market as students recognize that they need skills that would make them employable."
In what may be considered an admittance of the inadequacy of the university in the area of Natural Science subjects such as Chemistry, Computer Science and Mathematics, Kirton suggested among other things that, "the government should offer high school graduates to write off their loans if they successfully read for degrees in sciences and technology."
There is a consistently high demand for the programmes offered by the Faculty of Social Sciences. The disciplines that attract some of the highest numbers are Accountancy, Manage-ment and Public Manage-ment. The average output for 2000 - 2002 was 77.6, 54, and 37.6 respectively. Also the Diplomas in Accountancy, Public Communications and Public Management are popular.
The Natural Sciences has produced some 113.3 graduates per year over the last three years. With 9.6 Che-mists, 41.3 Computer Scien-tists, and 3.6 Mathematicians per year.
Health Sciences produced some 86.6 scientists each year from 2000 - 2002. The average per year for the MBBS degree was 19.6, Medical Technicians 19.3 and Pharmacists 28.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Ganga Persaud noted that, "UG has under and over-produced during the last decade. For instance there is a glut of social scientists graduating annually. On the other hand the numbers for Science have been low." He noted that certain Social Science disciplines have a lower cost per person than disciplines from other faculties, where because of the low student intake, cost per student is higher. He observed that UG through its various faculties conducts an outreach to schools programme.
He notes, "the issue remains as to whether students are being encouraged to pursue science subjects at high school level. There is some movement at UG to work on some of these issues."
Further he said that the university has been working along with private sector organisations and the Ministry of Labour to identify the areas where UG should concentrate its efforts. Additionally the laboratories at UG need some work as well.
In his opinion, "information should be gathered as to definite needs of the economy, then encourage UG to move more in that direction." Significantly he added, "CPCE (Cyril Potter College of Education) graduates should be allowed to enter the university directly after completing their programmes if they plan to read for a degree in the Health and Natural Sciences."
Trevor Thomas, Secretary of the Teaching Service Commission stated, "CPCE graduates normally have to serve up to two years in the public school system in return for their government sponsored education at training college."
He suggests, "there are not enough graduate teachers in the system. The teaching population stands close to 10,000, of which two hundred graduate (UG) teachers per year is not significant." He observed, "there are more qualified school leavers applying for positions with the teaching service presently, than was the situation eight years ago."
"The problem," he says, "is UG graduates are able to compete for jobs out of the teaching system as well as the Caricom free movement arrangement." Also teachers are being recruited to join North American educational programmes.
Discussions with employers on the adequacy of a UG education, reveals that they are generally satisfied. The consensus among them is that the university offers graduates a solid background. However, some aspects of the institution's programmes may benefit from structural improvement.
According to Adam Harris, Editor of Prime News, "The communications programme at UG requires revamping, since there is no radio or newspaper facilities to give graduates some practical experience."
With regard to the emerging graduates and their economic adequacy, he thinks, "they have lost their theoretical base, don't understand issues and do not do enough research or follow up. There is no visible connection between books and practicality.
The programme does not allow for a student to appreciate being a reporter."
However, there are strong points about the programme such as, "the Caribbean historical background that it imparts to students." Additionally, "students are well schooled in doing research."
Hazel Jules of Demerara Bank noted that "graduates are generally assisted by their UG training." She added, "an applicant does not necessarily have to emerge from a finance-related program in order to obtain a job with the bank." Because, " we usually do on the job training with all new staff."
Robert Mc Rae, Partner at Ram & Mc Rae said, "For our business, training is essential as the programme at UG would not prepare an individual to be a practicing accountant." He suggested that, "there is room for improvement in writing skills among graduates. Further specific programmes can benefit from expansion in certain areas." For instance, McRae ob-served that expansion into auditing could be crucial to the accounting practice in Guyana.
Ian Hercules of Banks DIH Ltd said, "there are good students coming out of UG but they sometimes have an attitude that they know it all. That is not helpful to the organization." Delmar Tobin, Training Officer at Guyana Water Authority (GWI) agreed with this point of view. He said, "UG graduates tend to relax as they think they have arrived."
Hercules noted the difficulty for graduates is, "applying their education to work which is different." "This is why", says Tobin, "UG as an academic institution should seek to play a more integrative role.
The degree should impart some practical issues that relate to organizations in the country at present."
On the other hand, "there are not many recorded instances of bosses making an effort to impact the content of the programme in a way that makes its graduates more employable in the field..." wrote Patrick Denny in an October 15, 2003 Stabroek News Current Affairs article.