Scotiabank in $6.624M STEMGuyana Learning Pod sponsorship
(L-R): Scotiabank Guyana, Country Manager, Nafeeza Gaffoor; STEMGuyana, Operations Manager, Alisha Koulen; Scotiabank Guyana, Senior Manager, Country Management Office, Justin Thompson; STEMGuyana, Board Member and Fundraising Coordinator, Elsie Harry; Scotiabank Guyana, Senior Manager, Operations and Administration, Bibi Alli, display STEM-branded tokens
STEMGuyana has announced a landmark partnership from Scotiabank Guyana, which will see the sum of $6.624 million dollars being added to its widely impactful Learning Pods Initiative.
The funds, provided through the bank’s ScotiaRISE programme, aim to enhance and sustain Learning Pods Initiative for the 2025 academic year.
According to the Executive Director of STEMGuyana Karen Abrams, the funds will be utilised specifically to ensure that more students development essential digital and financial literacy skills.
Executive Director of STEMGuyana Karen Abrams
“We are thrilled to have Scotiabank Guyana as a key partner in our mission to prepare young minds for the future,” said Karen Abrams, Executive Director of STEMGuyana. “This support will help us expand our reach, improve programme quality, and ensure that more students—especially those from underserved communities—have access to world-class STEM education and critical thinking training.”
Originally founded during the COVID-19 pandemic to address educational setbacks, the Learning Pods initiative has grown into a national force for academic enrichment, providing students with crucial skills in Science, Mathematics, English, Technology, Robotics, and Coding.
Additionally, through structured learning environments, trained coaches, interactive lessons, and mentorship opportunities, the programme has provided a solid foundation for academic success.
Currently in its fourth year, the programme operates 30 active Learning Pods across all ten regions of Guyana.
Beyond STEM education, this year, Scotiabank will introduce financial literacy learning sessions for both students and their parents or guardians – a move that aligns with bank’s broader commitment to economic resilience and youth empowerment across the Caribbean.
Scotiabank’s Country Manager, Nafeeza Gaffoor, believes that the additional resources will further strengthen the students’ problem-solving capabilities and digital skills, to prepare them for future careers.
“Education is critical in enriching the lives of our youth and helping them grow. Through this partnership with STEMGuyana we continue to support the development of our country’s youth by providing the educational support they need so that they can realise their full potential, achieve success, and bolster their life opportunities,” Gaffoor noted.
Throughout 2025, STEMGuyana and Scotiabank will work closely to monitor the impact of the Learning Pods initiative, ensuring that participating students show measurable improvements in academic performance, digital literacy, and financial management confidence.
A comprehensive impact report will be published at the end of the programme, highlighting key achievements and the tangible effects of this partnership on Guyana’s youth.
