Diaspora could soon access free UG programmes
July 8 2026
Guyanese living overseas could soon gain access to free online degree programmes offered by the University of Guyana (UG), as the Government moves to extend tertiary education opportunities to the diaspora.
President Dr. Irfaan Ali announced the proposed initiative last evening during an engagement with Guyanese nationals in Saint Lucia, where he outlined plans to strengthen the connection between the diaspora and Guyana’s development.
The initiative would allow Guyanese abroad, including their children, to pursue online university programmes without tuition costs, similar to the free tertiary education opportunities currently available to students in Guyana.
The proposed expansion builds on existing education investments, including the removal of tuition fees at the University of Guyana and the continued growth of the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) scholarship programme.
The President highlighted the growth of GOAL, which has established partnerships with more than 40 international institutions and expanded access to higher education and professional development opportunities.
He also pointed to advancements in teacher training through digitisation and Guyana’s increasing capacity in research and academia, including the graduation of more than 30 doctoral candidates through the GOAL programme.
The planned expansion of UG’s online offerings to Guyanese overseas forms part of a wider effort to engage the diaspora and ensure citizens abroad can benefit from the country’s educational advancements regardless of their location.
