Local telephone giant GTT has announced that it will provide free internet services to virtually all public primary schools across Guyana.
This announcement was made by the GTT’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Justin Nedd, at the launch of Innov8 Summit – GTT’s technology Expo — which will be hosted at the Marriott from March 24-27.
The Innov8 Summit, the first of its kind to be held here, is aimed at promoting and developing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) in Guyana.
Nedd disclosed that GTT has committed to plugging some $18 million into the Innov8 Initiative Fund; and of that amount, $8 million will be dedicated to STEM Guyana to boost its continued efforts at training youths in coding and robotics. Another $3 million will go towards the benefit of the University of Guyana (UG).
Under this initiative, several schools across the country will benefit from free internet services. The first three schools to benefit would be the Lusignan Primary on the East Coast of Demerara; Sophia Primary in Greater Georgetown, and the Paradise Primary on the ECD.
Nedd said he is eager to work along with the Ministries of Education and Public Telecommunications to have this initiative realised.
“There are over 200 primary schools across Guyana, and what I’ve seen come across my desk (are) requests to sponsor a modem or a month’s free internet, and we will do it. But I want us to think larger than that, and really provide the internet to the youths at their earlier stages”, Nedd said.
At Monday’s launch of the Innov8 Technology Summit, it was noted that the Innov8 Summit will be held in collaboration with STEM Guyana, and will be held in two segments. Part one of the Innov8 Summit will see a Technology Expo being held on March 24 and March 25.
Part two, on the other hand, is the Business Forum, which is slated for March 27 and will feature major international speakers from Microsoft, Google and other industry trail-blazer.
Nedd said the goal of both events is to showcase the diversity of technology and its impact on all spheres of life in Guyana. It is an opportunity to display the innovations and gadgets created by some of the best and brightest players in Guyana’s technology arena.
Meanwhile, the Business Forum will feature GTT’s newest enterprise solutions, host local and international technology and business leaders, and chart a path for the development of ICT (Information, Communication and Technology) in the business and finance arena. (Ramona Luthi)
