– participants tasked with creating functional student record information system

By Naomi Parris
TWENTY-ONE of Guyana’s sharpest ICT minds are set to compete in Hackathon 2020, geared at channelling their creative talents to develop programmes that will tackle national development and address social, economic, technological and environmental issues.

This year’s event is held under the theme “Digitising our education system for 2020 and beyond” and is being executed under the auspices of the Office of the Prime Minister, through its Industry and Innovation Unit.

Speaking at a brief launching ceremony at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre on Tuesday, Prime Minister, Brigadier Mark Phillips, said that with the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the world, including Guyana, has become heavily dependent on technology and the lunching of the Hackathon activity is timely.

“The world today is one which is heavily dependent on technology, more so as we navigate the unpredictable conditions of the coronavirus pandemic. Technology has served as the catalyst through which we have been able to carry on business and even maintain personal relationships while being confined to our homes in an aim to remain safe from the virus.”
The Prime Minister added that the government will be working to ensure a conducive environment for technological development and innovation.

“The Government of Guyana, through the Industry and Innovation Unit of the Office of the Prime Minister, is committed to developing an ICT-equipped society by continuing to create technological solutions that will position Guyana to cope with the ever-changing ICT landscape and assist in addressing national issues, and ultimately create novel ICT employment and other opportunities for Guyanese,” he said.

He added: “Guyana is now on the verge of transformation in the area of ICT given the recent and long-awaited liberalisation of the Telecommunications Sector. Guyanese can now welcome cheaper and more reliable options for Internet access, which will enhance Guyana’s technological capacity and infrastructure.”
Prime Minister Phillips added that activities like Hackathon will assist in highlighting the talents of many young Guyanese as well as provide a platform for them to share their talent and intellect with the rest of the country.

ENABLING ENVIRONMENT

“Activities like this Hackathon will assist us in creating an enabling environment to achieve this mandate by providing a platform that allows for the creation of software and applications that are relevant to our national needs, while at the same time promoting a culture of innovation.”

He added that the country’s education system is currently at on the priority list and with the help of technology and ICT-related activities, solutions will be provided to assist the Ministry of Education.

“Our education system is at the top of our priority list and with the recent changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic which has affected the world at large, it is imperative now, more than ever, that we focus our attention on providing solutions to this unforeseen crisis that has shifted the way we operate,” the Prime Minister said.
The government, he added, understands the importance of ICT to Guyana’s education sector and is working on a series of initiatives that will enhance the current system, as well as develop focus areas to better the delivery of education to the country’s children.

“Technology is the tool that will provide that balance needed to weather the storm we are now faced [with] and to prepare us for what is to come,” the Prime Minister said.
The goal of this year’s Hackathon is to create a functioning software application by the end of the event, which will commence on December 5 and end on December 7.
Participants will also be tasked with creating a functional student record information system that can be used by the Ministry of Education to digitise the registration system throughout schools across the country.

The winning team will receive a cash prize of $500,000, while the second and third place teams will collect $350,000 and $250,000 respectively.