University of Guyana and UNICEF launch Documentation CenterGeorgetown, Guyana UNICEF, July 8, 2009 - The University of Guyana (UG) and UNICEF last Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signaling their commitment to the operation of the UNICEF DevInfo and Documentation Center at the University’s two campuses at Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown and Tain in East Berbice. Through this MOU the two entities outlined their plan for joint arrangement pursuant to the shared commitment to knowledge enhancement and sharing and the utilization of all available technologies to accomplish these objectives. The main area of cooperation will be knowledge sharing, including information sharing via the DevInfo technology. Vice Chancellor (VC) of the University, Professor Lawrence Carrington expressed great appreciation to UNICEF for partnering with the tertiary level institution in bringing a service to students and ordinary citizens alike. Specifically referring to the use of the Dev Info soft ware, the VC commented that the use of the data base system allows persons to track progress made on the UN Millenium Development Goals (MDGs). “The donation of research materials, books, equipment, the software package together with training, not only facilitates students’ work but will also ensure, most importantly, that people can now gain a critical understanding of women and children’s issues in Guyana, and have this compared with other countries,” the VC opined. UNICEF Representative, Johannes Wedenig, speaking at the opening ceremony stressed the importance of the research tools the centre will provide to students and other interested members of the public. “I see this initiative as a first step in the democratization of data, data should be available to all, and this is especially so in the case of the students, as they are the ones taking the decisions of tomorrow”. The UNICEF Head of Office further explained that such an initiative is necessary for building Guyana’s future as situations such as “the brain drain” in the country is causing quite a loss of the lifeblood of the nation. Mr. Jason Benjamin, President of the University of Guyana Student Society cut the ribbon to open the door of the Documentation centre at Turkeyen. Both centers will be managed by staff of the University of Guyana and members of the public will be given access to the facilities in keeping with the rules governing access to the Library by the public. For more information: Leslyn Thompson, Communication Officer Tamar Hahn, thahn@unicef.org, UNICEF América Latina y el Caribe ------------------
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