Orientation at Jain University for over 800 – to pursue learning in line with country’s needs

Jain University on Tuesday hosted its virtual orientation which saw over 800 Guyanese awarded
scholarships through the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) initiative. This forms
part of Government’s attempt at sparing no effort to enhance and stimulate its human resources.
Education Minister, Priya Manickchand in her address said the courses are chosen to suit the
needs of the country. “There was a deep desire by the People’s Progressive Party, to make sure
that our country as a whole is able to function with its human resources and meet the needs of the
Guyana that is on the horizon. Various fields of study have been chosen based on people’s like
for a subject, as well as the country’s need for those subjects,” Manickchand said. The education
minister noted that due to the collaborative efforts of the Education and Public Service
Ministries, Jain University implemented a pre-degree or prep programme that allows persons
who were unable to apply for a degree at its initial stage to access higher learning.
Meanwhile, Public Service Minister, Sonia Parag challenged students to complete their course.
“I can see from the numbers we have participating here that Guyanese are interested in self-
development. So, my message today is to request the students to endeavour, to mentally
stimulate yourselves to be able to follow through to the completion of these courses,” Parag said.
She noted that the GOAL scholarship is the brainchild of President Ali and was developed to
provide Guyanese with the tool for self, as well as national development.
Minister Parag noted that to ensure all citizens benefit from the programme, government took the
initiative to every community and region across the country. They are also actively ensuring that
the registration process is easier. Within the initial first year, more than 6000 Guyanese are
receiving free education from a number of renowned universities.
She noted that awardees are able to pursue academic studies in over 100 disciplines at five
international universities. These include the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU),
JAIN University, University of West Indies, University of Southern Caribbean (Trinidad) and
International University of Applied Sciences (IU), Germany.