Telecommunications training key to sectors development

February 5, 2018

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DPI, Guyana, Monday, February 5, 2018

With the allocation of approximately G$10M for the technological training of persons, the Ministry of Public Telecommunications has been collaborating with several agencies to conduct training sessions for persons of all ages across the nation. The Ministry’s Industry and Innovation Department (IID) is the unit overseeing the training and outreaches that will be conducted this year.

One of the robots that was built at the STEM Guyana one-day training workshop.

The Innovation Department, in collaboration with the non-governmental groups CAFRA and Guyana and Virtuous Women on a Mission of Linden, facilitated a computer literacy workshop for grassroots organizations at the Linden Technical Institute from January 29 – February 2.

The Information Communication Technology (ICT) training better equipped the members with the necessary technical skills needed to manage their businesses, strengthen the organisation’s advocacy and assist in their personal lives. The areas covered Utilizing Social Media, the Web and other tools for Advocacy. Volunteer course facilitators included Dr. Rosh Khan from Master Class Institute, Akola Thompson, Help and Shelter, and Sade Barrow-Brown, Intellect Storm Incorporated.

From February 1-3, the Ministry collaborated with STEM Guyana to launch a series of certification sessions for technology leaders who are interested in establishing technology clubs in their communities. The one-day training workshop in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) and Robotics, was aimed at equipping them with requisite skills.

Coaches were informed how to organise, fundraise and lead a technology club, how to prepare young people to compete in a global marketplace, the basics of building and programming robots, and the fundamentals of Scratch programming. Certified coaches will be expected to create clubs and prepare teams for competition in the scheduled Scratch and Robotics nationwide contest.

One of the training sessions held at the Ministry of Public Telecommunications boardroom.

Karen Abrams of STEM Guyana explained that winners of the competition will then form a national league to compete internationally. Abrams also announced that a second round of training will be held in March. “We hope to launch the league in March so we expect teams to be competing in NDCS, within regions to determine the National champion.”

The newly certified coaches all said the training has been interesting and they are anticipating taking their new-found knowledge back to their communities.

Alicia Rakim, Lusignan/Good Hope Learning Centre said she and her team of two persons were thrilled to be part of the training, “It’s awesome it facilitates brainstorming, problem-solving and analyzing information.” Rakim added that with the training her centre will launch a STEM club soon, and will impart the knowledge obtained with others in the community. She also noted that the Club will be aiming to apply science and technology in solving issues at the local level to transform the community for the better.

Abdullah Sookram, a representative of the Deaf Association of Guyana said he was quite impressed with the amount of work conducted at the training exercise. He opined that with the correct technological skills, they will be able to train and assist other persons with disabilities, whether it be for school or for social purposes.

Michael Clemson, a teacher of the Three Miles Secondary School (Bartica) noted that the training will “definitely stimulate students’ interest in computers” and the newly trained coaches will now be at an advantage when it comes to sharing knowledge with others in the school, and community.

This training forms part of the Ministry of Public Telecommunications (MoPT) efforts to better incorporate technology, and STEM into communities across the country. Basic and intermediate level computer training, ICT Hubs, technological training, and basic computer knowledge are some of the key areas that the IID unit will be looking at within coming weeks.