United States Ambassador to Guyana Mr Ronald Godard handed over the texts, which deal with food technology and animal science, but are not limited to those subject areas.

Dr. Patsy Francis of the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry is a graduate of the University of Tennessee USA, and it was she, who initiated the donation.

Dr. Francis, in brief remarks at the presentation ceremony, said that her alma mater has also expressed a willingness to supply other types of study material for use at the University of Guyana.

She explained that during her tenure at the University of Tennessee, she was offered the opportunity to study animal science technology, and was also exposed to a range of other ideas for agriculture development. These ideas she embraced, Dr Francis stated.

According to Dr Francis, young people belonging to a club at the University of Tennessee were also able to gather books from other universities around the USA. Many of the texts gathered were among the set that was donated to UG.

Dr. Francis said the initiative was prompted by the realisation that Guyana needs to advance in agriculture by moving from primary production into wider agro-processing and that young people need to be stimulated to develop entrepreneurship in food science technology.

United States Ambassador to Guyana, Mr. Ronald Godard, who officially presented the books to UG Vice-Chancellor, Dr. James Rose, said the donation represents the continued linkages between institutions of Guyana and those of the United States.

Such initiatives, Mr Godard said, form the basis for relationships between the peoples of both countries.

He noted that there are members of the expatriate community who remain interested in Guyana, such as graduates who maintain contacts with institutions in Guyana and are contributing in a significant way to the further developments of those institutions.