Texas Tech University

Texas Tech to assist with gas and oil education in Guyana

As part of US State Department Innovation Fund grant


When the US Embassy in Guyana needed a partner to work with the University of Guyana on programs for future energy professionals, they turned to Texas Tech University. The program, funded by the "100,000 Strong in the Americas Innovation Fund" and ExxonMobil, will involve a group from Guyana visiting the university this summer. TTU students will share the classes, taught by Dr. Dustin Sweet from Department of Geosciences, then head to Guyana to jointly explore conditions and opportunities in the South American country. The collaboration is intended to lead to broader, long-term collaborations between the two institutions." Dr. Sweet notes that he is "very excited to begin this partnership between Texas Tech University and the University of Guyana. Students from TTU will have the opportunity to experience the socio-cultural and socio-economic impacts of hydrocarbon exploration and production of Guyana's emerging energy industry. Students from Guyana will gain first-hand experience of industry technology from a wide variety of experts."

The goal of 100,000 Strong in the Americas, President Obama's signature education initiative in the Western Hemisphere, is to increase the number of U.S. students studying in the Western Hemisphere to 100,000, and the number of Western Hemisphere students studying in the United States to 100,000 by the year 2020. The initiative is aimed at enhancing hemispheric competitiveness, increasing prosperity, and preparing a more globally competent workforce. "We have to invest in the greatest natural resource we all have – in our people...this investment in our young minds is critically important," Vice President Biden stated. "It rests on exposure... exposure to culture, language, and politics of other countries. That's how we're going to build the closest ties that will cement the economic growth and stability of this hemisphere."