Guyana’s Ministry of Natural Resources and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited is offering a limited number of scholarships in China at the Bachelor’s Degree level for the next academic year (2023/2024).
The scholars, to receive instruction in geoscience and petroleum engineering, would be poised to return to Guyana at the end of their studies, with guaranteed employment as is customary with Guyana government scholarships. However, it is unclear whether this guarantee would be specific to the public sector.
The scholarships are open to persons 18-25, and would most likely go to those applicants already certified as proficient to some extent in the Chinese language.
Guyana has been partnering with several universities and companies to offer scholarships to Guyanese nationals, to bridge the immense skills capacity deficit in the country. The government also plans to make instruction at the University of Guyana free by 2025. The government insists that companies across sectors must prioritise the employment of Guyanese talent. But with the deficit, there is a risk that the country’s economic boom could face inhibition.
Guyana has initiated procurement for a consultant to conduct a national skills audit to aid human development efforts.
CNOOC is a 25% stakeholder in the prolific Stabroek Block.
