The French Department at the University of Guyana (UG) got a boost yesterday with the donation of an 8000 Euros cheque by an official of the French Consulate.
The donation was presented by French Consulate Representative Eric Bodin to UG Vice-Chancellor Dr James Rose in the Boardroom of the Administrative Build-ing at the Turkeyen Campus.
Deryck Bernard, Dean of the School of Education and Humanities said UG recognises the important role networking with other cultures and language groups has to play in higher education. He said there is a general belief that the best way of developing ourselves is in science and technology, while not realising the importance of learning about other people's cultures.
Bernard noted that it was a good gesture from the government and people of France.
"We will put in place programmes in languages and culture to make the teaching of French more interesting." He added that he would like to use the resources for overseas teaching in places such as Cayenne, French Guiana and thanked the French Govern-ment for their interest.
Bodin in brief remarks highlighted a similar gesture to the department by French Ambassador Olivier Mait-land-Pelen during his visit to Guyana last year October.
On that occasion the department was presented with a television set including a DVD player, and a satellite system.
The ambassador had also given to the French Depart-ment a computer, complete with scanner and printer plus one year's Internet connection.
According to Bodin, sponsorship of the department has been continuing thanks to the efforts of Dr Rose, and Dereck Archer, Director of the Language Department, whose efforts are key to the success of the partnership.