–with Office of the Prime Minister, GTT sponsored ‘Innovation Challenge 2022’

THE Office of the Prime Minister’s Industry and Innovation Unit, in partnership with GTT, has launched “Innovation Challenge 2022” with the aim of advancing technology and its use locally.

Innovation Challenge 2022, with the theme: “Transitioning through innovation,” was designed with the aim of promoting Information and Communications Technology (ICT) innovation in Guyana.

The three-day activity invites coders, software innovators and programmers to create functioning software applications to address social and economic issues that affect Guyana.

Speaking at the launch of this activity, Prime Minister, Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips, expressed the government’s unwavering commitment towards ICT development. He highlighted that Guyana would use ICT as a springboard to national development.

The Prime Minister, during his remarks, underscored that Innovation Challenge 2022 could create groundbreaking technologies.

Prime Minister Phillips said: “Guyana intends to learn from the posture of developed nations and plans to champion the use of ICT to strengthen our position in the global economy, while enhancing a thriving ICT sector that can support national development from both social and economic standpoints.”

Further, the Prime Minister said that the Government of Guyana is steadfast in creating a digital eco-system in Guyana.

“Where there is innovation, there is economic growth,” he said.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GTT, Damian Blackburn, in his address, spoke of his company’s supporting role in the development of Guyana’s ICT sector.

“I believe through innovations, bringing new systems, new solutions to people in a digital way, it is going to strengthen our communities around us. More importantly, we also promise to innovate for all in our country,” Blackburn said.

He also underscored the importance of Innovation challenge, noting that the incoming team could perhaps “bring their software to life.

Blackburn said that he is proud to lead hundreds of innovators at GTT and recognises the wide scope of opportunities that the Innovation Challenge presents.

In brief remarks, Director of the Industry and Innovation Unit at the Office of the Prime Minister, Shahrukh Hussain, said his unit is steadily working on building a digitally connected society.

A total of $1 million and bragging rights will be up for grabs, as five teams go up against each other at the upcoming three-day event. The challenge will be a non-stop coding affair and will be judged by ICT gurus from Guyana.

All are welcome to tune in to the Industry and Innovation Unit’s Facebook page for updates.