Thirst Park, Georgetown – 31 May 2024 – Banks DIH Limited and Guyana’s premier tertiary institution - the University of Guyana, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which will see the two entities collaborating to promote student development, academic partnerships, and knowledge transfer.
The MOU was signed by Mr Andrew Carto, Human Resources Director, and Mr Gavin Todd, Operations Director, Banks DIH Limited, and Professor Paloma Mohamed Martin, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Guyana, on Thursday, 30 May 2024, at Thirst Park, Georgetown.
Under this agreement, Banks DIH Limited and the University of Guyana will explore opportunities for student internships and the exchange of knowledge in areas of mutual interest. The partnership will also facilitate the exchange of students and faculty members for research, training, and educational purposes, particularly as it relates to UG’s Faculty of Engineering and Technology.
Mr. Andrew Carto, Human Resources Director of Banks DIH Limited said, “We are eager to partner with the University of Guyana to leverage our strengths and expertise to address some of the most pressing challenges facing the industry and the emerging needs of both institutions. This partnership will provide us with access to talent while enabling us to contribute to the advancement of students, the institution, and education.”
Mr. Gavin Todd, Operations Director, noted that he is also happy to see this process formalized as it is an opportunity for Banks DIH Limited to continue the work of “preparing students to go out into the field”. Mr. Todd further noted that his own development as a student benefited tremendously from his attachment at Banks DIH Limited.
University of Guyana’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Paloma Mohamed Martin, applauded Banks DIH Limited for this collaboration and emphasised the importance of early engagement with students. “There is more complexity in the Guyana labour market now than there was five years ago. The challenges in the labour force in Guyana are growing, with the government and local private sector losing staff to the international private sector,” Professor Mohamed-Martin explained. She added that companies should not wait until students have graduated but must begin thinking of more aggressive ways to engage students before they enter the university.
Professor Emanuel Cummings, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Academic Engagement, highlighted the benefits of the partnership. “The MOU will strengthen the training provided to engineering students. We are grateful for this partnership with Banks DIH Limited,” Dr Cummings said.
Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology (FET), Ms Verlyn Klass, noted that the MOU continues the longstanding programme between Banks DIH Limited and the University of Guyana. “The faculty is very pleased to continue this collaboration with one of the companies we are committed to supporting,” Ms Klass stated.
About Banks D.I.H Limited
Banks DIH Limited is a leading Food and Beverage Manufactorer in Guyana. It’s principle operations includes food and beverage production and Restaurant operations. Automotives and Financial service are also provided throught it’s subsidiaries Banks Automotives and Services Inc. and Citizen’s Bank Guyana Inc., respectively.
The Mission: We are committed to building on our Traditions Of Excellence by providing Quality Products and Services, Financial Results and Management Performance that meet the interests of our Shareholders, Employees, Customers, Suppliers and the Communities in which we operate.
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, Bachelor’s degrees, Master’s Degrees to Ph.D.’s. These programmes are offered online, face-to-face or in blended formats. UG delivers though 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 Faculties, including an accredited College of Medical Sciences, School for Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation and the School for 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 Innovation, Research 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 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 renewed focus on becoming the leading teaching and research University in Guyana.
Visit UG at www.uog.edu.gy