GNBS hosts lecture for high school students
THE Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS), in observance of National Quality Week, yesterday hosted a lecture for school children at the Pegasus Hotel, Kingston, Georgetown. The lecture was well attended by pupils from eight secondary schools in Region 4, including St. Joseph High, St. Stanislaus High, Brickdam Secondary, Marian Academy, Apex Academy, St. Rose’s High, Bishops’ High and Christ Church Secondary.
National Quality Week is celebrated from October 10-14.
GNBS Public Relations Officer, Lloyd David, in his presentation, briefed the children on the operations, background and history of the GNBS.
He explained that the GNBS is divided into several departments, such as the Information Services Department, Technical Standards Information Unit, Information Technology, Metrication Programme, Laboratory Services, Metrology and Standards Compliance, Administrative and Finance, Standardisation, Conformity Assessment, Product Certification, Technical Assistance, Audit Service Programme and Laboratory Certification.
He also highlighted the work of each department, and told the group that the GNBS was established in March, 1984, under Act No. 11 of Parliament.
David added that at the time the Bureau was located in the Ministry of Works compound, Fort Street, Kingston, until April, 1987, when the operations were moved to 77 West ½ Hadfield Street, Werk-en-Rust. The Bureau remained there until June, 1996 when the GNBS Office moved to Flat 15, National Exhibition Complex, Sophia, Greater Georgetown.
The Bureau has the legal status of a statutory corporation or a semi-autonomous agency. It is governed by a National Standards Council, whose members are appointed by the Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce. Members of the National Standards Council are drawn from organizations such as the Chambers of Commerce, the University of Guyana, and the Guyana Manufacturers’ Association.
Davis stated that the Council meets monthly in order to carry out the work of the organization, which is executed through the various technical committees appointed by the National Standards Council. The chairpersons of the respective technical committees are members of the council.
Raymond Ramsaroop, Production Executive, Edward B. Beharry Company discussed the theme for the week in an interactive session with the school children.
He disclosed that in the past, the GNBS held lectures at several schools where they engaged children in the work and operations of the Bureau; but this was the first time they had a lecture for children away from schools.
He said that 11 local companies are certified by the International  Standards Organisation (ISO) and also spoke of the four international organisations under which products are certified for quality.
These are the International Electro Technical Certification (IEC), International telecommunications Union (ITU), International Systems Unit (SI), International Financial reporting System (IFRS) and American Society for Testing and Materials ASTM).
The children also viewed two videos on ‘the customer is always right’ and ‘using an international standard’. And there was a segment of questions and answers.