It is important that our human resources and nation’s development be equally aligned

Dear Editor

Over the past months, Guyanese have read that brand name hotels, malls, amusement parks etc., have expressed their interest in Guyana. That is good news. In an address delivered by Ashni Singh, minister with responsibility for finance at the Annual Awards Ceremony and Gala of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Singh assured his audience, “Given that this country’s human resources are of the utmost importance, government will be investing heavily in education and skill sets development.” That was also good news!

About a week later, MACORP announced its intention to create a ‘MACORP university that will cater for all levels of technical education.’ It will after cater for any type of engineer and will integrate ‘knowledge with practical application...’ Similar good news came just recently from ExxonMobil and the University of Guyana. Government’s pursuits in human resource development, when realized, will help bring about a balance between foreign direct investment in the services sector and public sector investment for human development.

Both Ashni Singh’s and the private sector’s disclosures are indispensable and strategic necessities for the growth and development of Guyana’s human capital. It is also critical if our human capital is not only prioritized, but harmonized with the country’s developmental trajectory. Whether the goal to achieve growth and development of the country’s human resources is accomplished through public sector investment, public- private sector partnerships, and foreign direct investments or on the basis of bilateral agreements with friendly countries, it does not matter. The fundamental objective is to have tangible results.

Notwithstanding the extant national institutions of higher and specialized learning, government should consider mobilizing resources to establish the following: an Institute of Research and Development; a School of Business Management; an Institute of Agricultural

Economics and Policy Research; an Institute of Farming Systems; an Institute of Agricultural Sciences; an Institute of Science and Technology, an Institute of Civil and Structural Engineering; an Institute of Mining, Technology and Engineering; a School of Environment and Sustainability; a National Fisheries Research Institute; a Center for Aquaculture and Seafood Development; an Institute of Forestry; and a School of Forest Science and Management.

Apart from government investing heavily in the further development of the country’s human resources, it must find a way to bring others on board to contribute towards the growth and development of Guyana’s human capital.