The University of Guyana (UG) today received the prestigious 2023 Perry Center Award for Excellence in Security and Defense Education for Hemispheric Defense Studies.
The Perry Award for Excellence in Security and Defense Education is given to individuals or institutions in recognition of their significant contributions in the field of security and defense education in the Americas.
The award presented to the University, acknowledges the university’s role in fostering security and defense education in the region.
US Ambassador to Guyana, Nicole Theriot, congratulated the University on the award and said it is a testament of what collaboration and strong leadership can accomplish.
She said Guyana’s introduction of a Master’s Degree in Strategic Development Studies in 2022 was a step in the right direction, adding that it showed Guyana’s willingness to address security challenges not only domestically, but throughout the region.
As a result, she said the US will continue to work with Guyana in the areas of Security and defense.
“The United States stands a steadfast partner and will continue to work shoulder to shoulder with the government and people of Guyana towards even a more prosperous, inclusive and secure region, the US Ambassador stated.
Meanwhile Chief-of-Staff of the Guyana Defense Force, Bridgaier Omar Khan, welcomed the Award and said the introduction of the programme at the University of Guyana is to equip members in the security architecture to respond to today’s security challenges and be proactive in addressing new and emerging situations, especially the safety of citizens and the protection of the country’s democracy and sovereignty.
“Already we have seen the tremendous strides made in this regard, not totally as a result of this particular programme, but the pace at which Guyana, under the Presidency of Dr. Irfaan Ali, and the need to prepare our next generation of leader across the various sectors for the future,” Brigadier Khan noted.
Meanwhile, President Irfaan Ali announced that the University will also house the National Defence Institute (NDI) which will play a major role in Caribbean security.
“This partnership is about positioning us, as a country, as a university and we want to position Guyana and the University of Guyana and then the National Defence Institute as the premier regional security institutions, the President noted.” the President said.
The President explained that the institute will be the training ground for members within CARICOM countries as well as Brazil and Venezuela as part of an effort to modernize the region’s security structure.
The University’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Dr. Paloma Mohammed spoke about the changes being undertaken at the University of Guyana and the ongoing moves to improve its offerings.
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