Thousands of University of Guyana students will soon benefit from the creation of a modern language laboratory at the University’s Turkeyen Campus through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Embassy of The People’s Republic of China and the University.
This MoU provides for a grant valued at G$4.6 million, which will be used to fund the acquisition of furniture, computers, headsets and other items to create a more effective and interactive learning environment conducive to language learning.
This new laboratory will create a more efficient environment than traditional classrooms and will include virtual classroom, newspapers, books, a large library of videos and resources for the students.
Signing on behalf of UG was Deputy Vice Chancellor, Dr Barbara Reynolds with responsibility for Planning and International Engagement at the University of Guyana, while Counsellor and Deputy Chief of Mission Chen Xilai signed on behalf of the Chinese Embassy.
Dr Reynolds told the Department of Public Information (DPI) that the new laboratory will allow Guyanese students to communicate better with international teachers, students, tourists and other persons in their professional lives.
“The foreign languages programme is critical. We’re looking to reanimate the languages the University has offered. Having a fully functional language lab so that students can go there…and engage, it is a lab to satisfy a particular need,” Dr Reynolds is quoted by the Department of Public Information as saying.
The University of Guyana Currently offers several courses, and up to a Bachelor’s Degree, in Spanish, French, Portuguese and Mandarin.
The creation of this designated lab forms part of a larger strategy by the University for developing, revising, and revamping the language programmes. The lab is slated to be opened in time for the 2018-2019 Academic Year.
