The meeting, held at the Ministry of Education’s Boardroom, was led by the Honourable Minister of Education, Sonia Parag, and the Honourable Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Susan Rodrigues.
Discussions focused on ensuring that the curricula and training programmes to be offered at HTTI are aligned with the needs of Guyana’s growing hospitality and tourism sector, while incorporating relevant international standards and industry practices.
The engagement forms part of Niagara College’s first in-country stakeholder mission, being conducted from September 28 to October 2, 2026. During the mission, the team is consulting with government agencies, educational institutions, employers and industry stakeholders to inform the development of programmes in areas such as hospitality operations, culinary arts, food and beverage services, tourism and resort operations, customer service and related technical competencies.
Particular attention is also being given to opportunities for Work-Integrated Learning, emerging technologies within the sector and the development of training pathways that respond to current and future workforce demands.
The curricula development exercise forms part of broader institutional strengthening activities under the HTTI Project and complements the ongoing construction and equipping of the Institute at Port Mourant, Region Six.
Also present at the meeting were Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Shannielle Hoosein-Outar; Chief Education Officer, Saddam Hussain; Chief Planning Officer of the Ministry of Education, Miskcha White-Griffith; Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Roger Rogers; Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority, Kamrul Baksh; and Director of Tourism, Sunalie Raghubar. Niagara College’s in-country field team was represented by Curriculum Development Expert Joyce Bott and Hospitality Expert Eric Mauke.
The Ministry of Education continues to work with relevant stakeholders, including our secondary schools and TVET institutions to ensure that HTTI is equipped to provide quality, competency-based and industry-responsive training, supporting the development of a skilled workforce for Guyana’s hospitality and tourism sector.
Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce - Daniel Rodney
