Targeted at fuelling innovative solutions and adding to the world’s digital transformation, the Education Ministry on Monday launched the Spark programme, which will see youths exposed to Artificial Intelligence and leadership skills.
For eight weeks, 136 students from various schools and technical institutions will benefit from two tracks: leadership and creating change; and the second focusing on artificial intelligence and building such software.
Minister Priya Manickchand joined by CEO Denise Hilliman and students of The Bishops’ High School during the launch
Computer Science professor at the University of Michigan, Jason Mars shared, “In the Spark programme, we are going to be teaching the absolute latest software systems for building scalable artificial intelligence products…Our students are going to learn how to use these systems and software to build real AI applications.”
Founder of the Lead Mindset, Denise Hilliman will also be integrally involved in sessions of the programme. According to the Guyanese-born CEO, competition on the global marketplace requires advancement in technology – which can be achieved for the younger generation through this programme.
BCS Technology is one of the partnering agents in this venture. Francis Cumberbatch said they are investing to drive the transformation journey which Guyana is embarking upon.
“The Spark programme is one of many. This is the starting of many that we will have. In addition to that, we plan to push this programme a bit further and involve University of Guyana graduates as well. Then, we will have paid apprenticeships for people that come out of these programmes because at the end of the day, employment is important. We need to know where we go next,” Cumberbatch related.
In her remarks, Education Minister Priya Manickchand said Government is focused not only on academic success but all-round competence of students.
“We want to make sure you’re academically sound. There is no question about where we are with that. You could tell with the heavy academic push and investments to bring about academic success…We want far more for you. The ideal child we see exiting the secondary sector should be competent not only in academics but in sports, music, another language, volunteerism and TVET subjects,” Manickchand told students.
This is the first programme of its nature in the Caribbean – signalling another trendsetting win for Guyana. According to the Education Minister, leveraging technology to find solutions is the future.
“Not only will this allow you to be creators and innovators, but we hope it is going to make you all into leaders that are academically sound but also have your eye on some entrepreneurship.” (G12)
