By Tracey Khan-Drakes
[www.inewsguyana.com] – The local Private Sector Bodies have expressed hope that the new government following the May 11 elections will “de-politicize” the University of Guyana and instead see it as a “center for innovation” that will move in the direction of adapting a market model tertiary institution.
Chairman of the Private Sector Commission (PSC), Ramesh Persaud while on the radio show ‘Hard Talk’ aired on 90.1 Love FM on Sunday April 12 made the comment, noting that if such a transformation takes place at the university, not all students should be charged the market rate.
“We charge the market rate but the subsidies through student aid and government support can go through the student for the services that they are paying for rather than directly to the university administration, so a lot can be done to resource the institution,” Persaud opined. 
He believes that the university itself could be a major center that can transform Guyana. According to Persaud, if the next government is serious about moving to a service industry, building its human capital is critical in this regard, adding that more investments are needed if the university is to undergo a transformation to the benefit of all Guyanese.
“I believe that a lot more work can be done to improve the University of Guyana and much other tertiary institution that exists. We would like to see who ever comes to power next time around that more investment, more resources be provided for the University to transform itself.”
Adding to the discussion was President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI) Lance Hinds, who explained that the private sector as a compete Body has not engaged the university enough to ensure that courses are not taught in abstract to the skills needed in the country.
While admitting that only a few companies have arrangements with a few facilities at the university in an effort to churn out specific skills, he said more needs to be done to ensure that certain relevant skills are taught so that international human resources are not sourced.
