AS Scotiabank celebrates its 50th Anniversary in Guyana, University of Guyana students will benefit from the financial institution’s celebrations in the form of a smart-classroom.
This was announced on Friday afternoon at the Pegasus Hotel by the bank’s Country Manager Raymond Smith, during a simple ceremony. Smith who was flanked by Canada’s High Commissioner to Guyana, Lilian Chatterjee , Central Bank Governor Dr Gobind Ganga and UG’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Philanthropy, Alumni and Civic Engagement , Dr Paloma Mohammed, told the gathering that the bank’s “signature “ corporate social responsibility project here will be the partnership with UG to install the smart-classroom within the Faculty of Natural Sciences.

He said that the project, which he noted is in alignment with the bank’s digital focus, will be undertaken at a cost of $2M and will provide students with an international learning environment. “It is being funded through Scotiabank’s community programme,” he said and expressed hope that there will be many such partnerships with the university.

Dr Mohamed expressed appreciation to the bank on behalf of the university. She said that these are exciting times for Guyana, noting that everyone is charting the best path for the country in the next few years. She said that UG is cognisant of its role in the development of the country. She said that the faculty is thrilled to receive its first smart-classroom.
She said that the university is pleased to be a part of the continued partnership with the bank, one which she noted is growing. Earlier, Smith announced too that as the bank celebrates its anniversary, it has also launched another initiative in the form of its 2018 Young Achievers Programme business plan competition, in which the prize-winner will receive a sum of $1.5M to start or operate a business. The programme is being implemented in association with the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI).

“At Scotiabank, we speak about building an agile organisation,” he said, noting that it is one that adapts to the environment within which it operates. He said the next 50 years, the bank will continue its commitment to staff and corporate /social responsibility and the country. “We are intent on supplying our customers with a superior banking experience, “Smith said. Among its plans is the implementation of a suite of digital solutions. The bank will introduce a next generation of automated banking machines as well as new card products and additional online solutions.

The Canadian High Commisioner lauded the bank’s commitment to Guyana. She told the gathering that the bank came to Guyana a mere two years after Guyana attained independence in 1966. As she congratulated the bank , she commended the bank for being a ”pioneer in the market” and not abandoning the country during the tough times , a move which she described as a reflection of true Canadian values.

“Your 50 years reinforce your status as an important partner in the financial framework of Guyana to which you would have helped to realise a myriad of investment opportunities in Guyana “, she said. Dr Ganga in remarks at the ceremony, said that the bank “is a believer “ in Guyana’s potential, its people’s destiny and in good corporate practice. He said that the bank will go down in the history of the country as a resolute leader in the industry, as he thanked the bank for serving Guyanese faithfully.

He said that the bank has participated in the transformation of the country’s economy, noting it has witnessed significant upward mobility in the living standards of Guyanese. Dr Ganga said that the bank has been successful and he noted that the Bank of Guyana will continue to support Scotiabank as an important player and partner, because of its drive for efficiency and diffusion of relevant international best practices.