The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has made available to Guyana a US$150,000 loan which will go towards boosting the capacity of locals so that they can be effectively integrated into the oil sector.
This money will specifically go towards financing a gap analysis of the current education and training offered in Guyana and subsequently seek to develop a strategic plan for the curriculum in the University or tertiary institutions. That improved curriculum will provide for professions associated with the petroleum industry such as petroleum engineering, geology, and or oil policy formulation.
Furthermore, Guyana Standard understands that the IDB loan will pave the way for the launching or reinforcing of engineering degrees in mining, petroleum, and similar areas; seeking international partnerships with leading petroleum engineering schools in the world to develop high-quality undergraduate and graduate local programs; and exploring partnerships with other universities in the region to provide specialization in areas such as petroleum law and regulation, hydrocarbon project management, oil policy, social and environmental management including partnerships with online institutions.
A component of the funding will also look at ensuring gender-sensitive criteria for the selection of scholarship recipients for international programmes.
In addition, key partnerships and technical exchanges between key government officials and other relevant institutions in the region will be identified.
