UG, CARDI sign MoU for technical cooperation

The University of Guyana (UG) and the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI) on Friday signed an MoU for technical cooperation at the Turkeyen Campus.

The signatories to the agreement are UG Vice-Chancellor Professor Lawrence Carrington and CARDI Executive Director Dr Arlington Chesney, a press release from the university said. Witnesses to the agreement were Dean Lawrence Lewis and the academic staff of the Agriculture and Forestry faculties. Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Dr Marlene Cox was also present.

The agreement entailed various areas in which collaboration would be necessary.

These are the development and/or implementation of joint programmes and projects that are mutually beneficial; the mobilization of resources for carrying out joint initiatives; exchange of staff, both students and technology, reason being for working in areas of shared interest and also, where possible allowing the participants to better their academic qualifications; development of commodities and thematic areas of interest to both parties; exchange of germplasm for scientific research and development uses; and in any other necessary area mutually agreed to by the parties during the existence of the agreement.

CARDI’S main goal is to “enhance the socio-economic well being of the Caribbean through research that improves the competitiveness and sustainability of regional agriculture.” This institute was established in 1975 to fulfil the agricultural and development needs of CARICOM member states.

The MoU’s proposal is based on the parties’ common interest in advancing agricultural and rural development in Guyana.