Local telephone company GTT has pledged to provide free internet services to virtually all public 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, first and largest event of its kind to be held here, is aimed at
CEO of GTT, Justice Nedd, addressing the gathering at Monday’s launch of the Innov8 Summit
promoting and developing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) in Guyana.
Nedd disclosed that the GTT has commitment 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 would benefit from free internet service. 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 has 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.
“So we’re certainly looking forward to partnering with the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Public Telecommunications, and we will provide what facilities we have – be it fibre, or it might be copper – but we’re very much committed to the cause,” Nedd told reporters.
Nedd has said that while GTT has had tertiary discussions with the relevant ministries, this would not stop the company from reaching out to schools and pushing on with the initiative. He added that over the next couple of weeks, the company would be working to have internet service set up at the three schools already identified.
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. Organisers say the event promises a diverse display of technology, innovations and gadgets created by local and international companies through hands-on robotics, online gaming, a gaming tournament, animation, smart gadgets, a smart home, and much more.
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 says 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.
The Innov8 Summit is additionally an ‘open house’ which is expected to wow visitors as they experience all the innovation GTT has to offer. The local telecommunications company displays technology possibilities available in ways never before seen.
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.
