Texila University boss signs ‘from the heart’ MOU with GDF boss
Professional Academic training capacity for members of the Guyana Defence Force is a sure thing. On Monday evening, Army Head Brigadier Godfrey Bess and founder of the Texlia American University inked a three-month Memorandum of Understanding that speaks to the Academic Training Capacity.
A statement from the GDF said the courses will be done through the Centre for Professional Development at the university. Signing on behalf of the university was its founder Mr. Saju Bhaskar.
The program attracts no cost to the GDF or the state and according to the statement released by the army on its Facebook Page, the courses will be offered to those at the officers level who will be issued with certificates upon their completion once successful.
According to the army, the courses will complement the capstone Senior Command and Staff Course (SCSC) and at the Junior Officer Level, the Junior Command and Staff Course (JCSC). Courses are also being offered to complement courses at the level of Non-Commissioned Officers.
Lieutenant Colonel Andy Pompey who is in charge of Operations and Training within the GDF explained that Officers will complete the certificate in Advanced Strategic Management as well as the certificate in Strategic Human Resource Management. There will also be a completion Certificate in Intermediate Strategic Management and a certificate in Human Resource Management. Further to that, ranks will complete the certificate in Human Resource Management and the certificate in Communication Skills in addition to those provided on the Senior Leaders Course (SLC). the army’s Facebook post noted.
Grade One Finance Course, Grade One and Grade Two Medical Assistant courses, Grade Three Medic course, and Grade One Logistics Course are among the other international courses that will be supplemented by those to be offered by Texlia American University.
Chief-of-Staff, Brigadier Godfrey Bess said the collaboration and partnership is yet another milestone in preparing ranks for the transformation of the country. According to Bess, Capstone courses for both Officers and Other Ranks have undergone some amount of modification, and the MOU will contribute to the process.
“I am grateful that your organisation has recognised the service and dedication of the officer and ranks and decided to offer these courses pro-bono to the GDF. We are thankful for this and we assure you that this will definitely contribute to capacity building in the Force. I also assure you that the commitment and dedication of other ranks will be a concrete testimony,” Brigadier Bess stated.
Meanwhile, Texlia American University head Saju Bhaskar said University’s gesture was part of corporate social responsibility and that it came from his heart.
“I am proud that I could do this and we are grateful that you have chosen Texila to be part of this journey to develop your ranks. We will definitely be a lifelong skill and professional development partner,” he said.
The Memorandum of Understanding is a follow-up from discussions held between both parties and is aimed at providing opportunities for the professional development of ranks of the Guyana Defence Force through training and skills development.
