SEVEN students from the University of Guyana – Yogvika Arjune, Hilary Benjamin-Byer, Juanelle Marks, Darion Marshall and Samantha Sheoprashad (Computer Science), Rhea Benn and Shefali Seecharran (Chemistry) – were selected to be first-time participants from Guyana in the Global Entrepreneurship & Innovation programme, offered by the University of Massachusetts Lowell, USA.

The sixteen-day intensive programme, which starts on Monday, June 15, is run biannually and is designed to impart both classroom and practical learning experiences in entrepreneurship & innovation.

The initiative was introduced by Ms Chitra Dwarka, an overseas-based Guyanese and Corporate Consultant in the Boston area, and executed through collaborative efforts of UG faculty lecturers Dr Dawn Fox and Mr Eldon Marks, along with UMass Lowell faculty Professors Ashwin Mehta and Deborah Finch.

The programme is expected to provide the students with ample exposure to new models and mind-sets in entrepreneurship and innovation, as well as enhance their problem-solving skills by working on real-life problems from business leaders and innovators in the Boston area.

The students’ participation was made possible through the generous support of local corporate and private sponsors. The major sponsor, Fly Jamaica, has graciously provided airfare while PAS Cargo Guyana, Vishnu Panday & Associates, Habitat for Humanity (Guyana), Maggie’s Catering, Version75 Solutions, the University of Guyana and numerous private sponsors, provided generous donations in the form of whole or partial sponsorship for the seven students.

The University of Guyana, in a statement, said it is proud to have its students participate in this initiative that seeks to foster and enable a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship among Guyana’s enterprising youth.