The National Defence Institute on Tuesday hosted the opening ceremony for its Certificate in Defence Studies programme at Camp Base Ayanganna, with officials underscoring the initiative as a major step toward strengthening Guyana’s national security framework.
The 16-week programme, which commenced more than 10 weeks ago and concludes on June 5, brings together 14 participants drawn from the Joint Services. It is designed to equip officers with the analytical, research and strategic planning skills needed to address both current and emerging security challenges.
Chairman of the Institute, Colonel Sheldon Howell, described the establishment of the institute as a visionary move that recognises the changing nature of modern threats.
“The institute stands today as a critical pillar of Guyana’s evolving national security architecture, designed to prepare leaders to navigate both traditional and emerging threats,” Howell said.
He emphasised that the programme goes beyond academic theory and is intended to provide practical tools for real-world security operations.
“This programme is not simply academic. It is strategic. It is meant to equip officers and their counterparts with the analytical tools required to operate effectively in this complex security environment,” he added.
The course curriculum includes modules such as war and peace, crisis decision-making, humanitarian intervention, migration and security, foreign policy, cybersecurity frameworks and the Guyana-Venezuela controversy. Participants are also being trained in process mapping and the adoption of information technology solutions to improve operational effectiveness.
Upon completion, students are expected to be able to conduct independent research, develop countermeasures against cyber threats, provide strategic advice on foreign policy and security matters, and build cooperation frameworks that support national development.
Delivering the feature address, Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips said the programme reflects a deliberate investment in human capital and is central to strengthening Guyana’s defence and security systems.
“This programme isn’t just theory. It’s about strengthening judgement, improving decision-making and deepening our understanding of the complex and evolving environment in which we must operate,” the Prime Minister said.
He added that the initiative is designed to produce professionals capable of operating across multiple domains, including land, air, maritime and cyber, as modern security operations increasingly overlap.
“It’s about building professionals that can operate across domains…land, air, maritime, cyber and of course a deep understanding as to how these spaces intersect into modern security operations,” he said.
Meanwhile, Chief of Defence Staff, Brigadier Omar Khan, echoed similar sentiments, describing the programme as a strategic investment in the nation’s internal capacity and long-term security planning.
“Initiatives like these are not routine undertakings; they are investments in the internal infrastructure of the nation. They represent a deliberate step towards strengthening the strategic capacity of Guyana,” Khan said.
He stressed that shaping the mindset of officers is fundamental to building a secure and resilient nation. “Strategy does not begin with resources; it begins with a thought, perspectives, to see beyond the present and prepare for what does not exist,” he noted.
The Certificate in Defence Studies programme is also intended to promote a civil-military approach to analysing defence policies and to expand awareness of how security and development issues intersect with national stability.
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