THE Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) teamed up with Bistro Restaurant on International Women’s Day to host a luncheon for some of the active female players in the development and promotion of the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) programme in Guyana.

The country’s First Lady, Mrs Sandra Granger and Minister of Public Telecommunications, Catherine Hughes were among the women who were drawn from the private sector, government, the University of Guyana and CARICOM–based on their integral involvement in an area which was traditionally male dominated.

GTT’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Justin Nedd, in delivering brief remarks during the luncheon, said GTT has risen to the occasion and is now a leading partner in the development of STEM in Guyana.
“Our commitment of GUY$18M STEM and Internet for all primary schools is demonstrative of this support,” Nedd told those present.

In recognising the key role played by women like the country’s first lady and the Public Telecommunication Minister, he said “women’s work and roles align perfectly with the Innov8 initiatives of the company.”

Nedd noted too that when Bistro’s Management was approached about the luncheon, it offered its full support and for that it must be applauded.

Last Monday, GTT shocked the nation when it announced that as part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR), it will be offering free Internet service to all primary schools. But the telephone giant did not stop there; the CEO further announced that an $18 million Innovat8 fund has been established to assist with the development of STEM education and projects.

GTT has developed new initiatives to create greater opportunities for the country’s young people.

The first three schools that will benefit from the initiative are Sophia, Lusignan and Paradise primary. The CEO believes that it is time that youths are given the tools to push Guyana forward, especially in the area of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) (Adrian Narine’s photo)