UG Gets US$4.57M College of Medical Sciences

April 1 2025 – The University of Guyana, Turkeyen Campus, has acquired a new building which now houses the College of Medical Sciences.

President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali inaugurated the state-of-the-art building this afternoon.

The newly commissioned facility is designed to meet the growing demand for top-tier health education and research capabilities in Guyana.

The US$4.576 million project, jointly funded by the government and the World Bank, will provide a modern and conducive learning environment for 200 students and faculty members. It features cutting-edge educational technology to facilitate interactive learning and engagement.

Key features of the facility include a lecture theatre, a microbiology laboratory with a wet prep room, an anatomy laboratory, a haematology/biochemistry laboratory, research and skills labs, and eight classrooms.

The advanced infrastructure aims to enhance medical training in response to the country’s expanding health sector and the increasing need for qualified professionals.

Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony underscored the significance of the new facility in sustaining medical training in Guyana, especially given the rapid expansion of healthcare infrastructure and the pressing need for skilled professionals.

UG’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Paloma Mohamed-Martin, expressed her enthusiasm, stating that the new building substantially enhances the university’s ability to enroll more medical students.

“I am happy to say that this building today allows us to take in about 40 percent more students in the medical school,” Professor Mohamed-Martin revealed.

She noted that the faculty has expanded its student intake by 1,000 students per year over the last five years.

Reflecting on the long journey to this moment, she added, “This has been a really long journey. It has taken us about ten years to design, redesign and adjust the requirements…”

Additionally, Jaime Saavedra, World Bank Director for Human Development for Latin America and the Caribbean, highlighted the broader implications of the project, stating, this facility symbolizes the government’s relentless commitment to advance health and education. It serves as a powerful testament to the transformative investments that we all have a shared vision for a prosperous future for Guyana.

During his address, President Ali noted that the project’s timeline was adjusted and negotiations were expedited to ensure its successful completion. He stressed the significance of leadership, responsibility, and ownership in achieving meaningful progress.

“This is what an integrated education and world-class education and healthcare system must look like, and we are making those investments… But, of course, we know the world is advancing [at a] tremendous pace. We will also have to have labs that allow our students to learn robotics and AI…” President Ali remarked.

He highlighted that medical professionals must be equipped to function in the rapidly evolving healthcare landscape, which now incorporates robotics and artificial intelligence in surgical procedures. To support this, the government is heavily investing in simulation laboratories to provide students with access to cutting-edge medical technology.

The President further emphasized the integration of innovation, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation across all sectors of the University of Guyana and the nation’s broader developmental plans. More than $13 billion is being invested in the university to provide free tertiary education, reinforcing the government’s commitment to accessible and high-quality learning opportunities.

Since UG has already opened its doors to regional students, President Ali suggested that it should now consider expanding its reach to international students across various disciplines.

The sod for the building was turned in November 2023, and construction was executed by Shandong Highspeed Dejian Group Company Ltd.

The project is part of the Guyana Education Sector Improvement Plan, aimed at strengthening the country’s academic and healthcare infrastructure.

Dignitaries present at the commissioning ceremony included Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance and Public Service, Dr. Ashni Singh, Minister of Education Priya Manickchand, representatives from the diplomatic corps, and officials from the University of Guyana.