ExxonMobil to inject US$100M to transform STEM education in Guyana

ExxonMobil Guyana is set to invest US$100 million over the next decade to strengthen science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education across the country. This announcement was made during a reception held at the state house on Monday evening by ExxonMobil Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Darren Woods.

The event hosted by the President, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, brought together members of cabinet, the diplomatic corps, senior Government officials and ExxonMobil’s Board of Directors, who are currently in Guyana for meetings and site visits. Woods announced that the Guyana ExxonMobil STEM Initiative will focus on strengthening mathematics and science education at the secondary school level while building a nationwide pipeline for future engineers, scientists and technology leaders.
The US$100 million investment will be rolled out over the next 10 years and will include, comprehensive teacher training for secondary mathematics and science, collaborate with the Ministry of Education and the University of Guyana (UG), establishment of a nationwide network of student STEM centres and development of a major STEM facility at the UG Campus, targeted for completion around 2028-2029. According to Woods, the first STEM centre will be established at the UG Turkeyen campus, with additional centres planned across the country to ensure nationwide access.
He also noted that over the next decade, the initiative is expected to train thousands of educators and reach tens of thousands of students significantly strengthening STEM in Guyana.
“Our goal is very simple: inspiring the next generation of Guyana’s engineers and scientists by working with the students and the teachers who educate them. Over the next decade, the Guyana STEM initiative will train thousands of educators and reach tens of thousands of students across the country, transforming Guyana’s STEM talent pipeline and developing a new generation of engineers, scientists and leaders ready to shape Guyana’s future and importantly, open doors to bigger and better opportunities for everyone,” he expressed.
In his remarks, President Ali described the announcement as a significant milestone in the country’s education and workforce agenda for development. He also said he made clear in his first meeting with ExxonMobil, that equipping the next generation of Guyanese with the necessary skills and training would be a national priority.
The President said, “We have to ensure the next generation of Guyanese and this generation that they are equipped with the necessary skills, they’re equipped with the necessary training and knowledge to take Guyana forward, to advance Guyana forward and to ensure that we have the human capacity and capability to do this.” President Ali linked the STEM investment to the Government’s wider development strategy, which includes innovation, entrepreneurship and diversification of the economy.
He said revenues from the oil and gas sector must be used strategically to strengthen other pillars of sustainability, including climate services, environmental services, health, technology and education. The President also signaled that the Government is seeking accelerated development in the gas sector and expanded exploration activities, with a goal of having a second major gas project online by or before 2030.
“We want to see acceleration. We want to see more development there, we want to see acceleration on gas, and we want to see acceleration at a similar pace as gas on exploration and development… before 2030 or by 2030,” President Ali related.