Graduate Symposium 2021: Theme

General Theme: Innovative Research For Sustainable Development, Amidst The COVID-19 Pandemic

Research must not only add to previous existing knowledge, but must lead to discoveries, novelties etc., and as such, throughout the world, graduate students and their work are recognized as an important part of an ongoing research process that helps us to better understand the human and natural world in which we exist. Moreover, research does not only aid the decision-making process of policy makers, but also contributes to the enhancement of growth and development at various levels of society through creative and innovative solutions to real world problems and issues.

The School for Graduate Studies and Research, Graduate Symposium 2021, the first of its kind at the University of Guyana, will allow graduate students of the University of Guyana in various fields and disciplines to communicate and exchange their innovative research, with the view to building knowledge, facilitating learning, fostering public awareness, informing societal action and developing knowledge in various fields of study. The central theme “Innovative research for sustainable development, amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic" underscores the importance of scientific investigations to processes and procedures required to attain sustainable development - a widely recognized goal for human society of the 21st century, given its focus on the three interconnected pillars: ecological sustainability, social sustainability and economic sustainability, together with good governance and effective institutions.

The symposium’s presentations will be of oral and poster formats and will culminate, with the award of prizes and scholarships of various categories to participants who excel in their presentations. There will also be publications to further add to its merits. It’s anticipated that each research presented is transferable to promote continued sustainable development in Guyana, even in the COVID-19 pandemic era. Additionally, this symposium will exhibit the spectrum of multidisciplinary research activities pursued by students in all of the Faculties of the University and will further enhance collaboration between the private and public sector agencies, civil societies, international universities, and the University of Guyana. This will be achieved by inviting these sectors as participants of the symposium and allowing their interaction with our graduate students.