Professor Paloma Mohamed, Vice Chancellor of the University of Guyana, supports the government’s plan to provide free university education but stresses that quality must not be compromised. As Guyana experiences rapid economic growth driven by oil and gas, she emphasized on the recent Energy Perspectives podcast that the initiative requires proper funding to meet the rising demand for skilled professionals.
“I am an advocate for free access to education for anyone who is capable and willing… but nothing is ever free,” Professor Mohamed said.
She warned that without sufficient financial support, the quality of education could suffer, undermining the country’s ability to produce the workforce needed for its booming oil and gas sector. With industry expansion comes the need for highly trained engineers, scientists, and technicians, making quality education vital to Guyana’s future.
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Reflecting on her return to the University in 2007, she described finding an underfunded institution, struggling with broken infrastructure and limited resources.
“Everything was broken,” she recalled. For Guyana to keep up with the demands of its oil and gas economy, Professor Mohamed stressed that both access and quality are essential. “We want free, quality education.”
The university’s response to COVID-19 also showed the high demand for educational opportunities. UG allowed students facing financial hardships to continue studying without paying upfront fees. According to Professor Mohamed, this demonstrated how eager people are to seize opportunities, especially as the oil and gas industry opens new doors for employment.
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She concluded by emphasizing that the success of the free education initiative depends on securing the necessary resources. Only then can Guyana build the skilled workforce it needs to fully benefit from its oil wealth while maintaining high standards.
The government plans to make public university free by 2025.
