–President Ali champions empowerment at ‘One Guyana Digital’ initiative launch

–over 2,000 persons to be trained, with special emphasis on women and Indigenous Peoples

 

GUYANA is set to become a hub for digital services, with the inauguration of the ‘One Guyana Digital’ (1GD) initiative heralding a new era for the country’s youth to transform the nation’s digital landscape.

This landmark venture, a collaboration between the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) and Toronto Metropolitan University, aims to bolster digital literacy and foster economic and social development.

President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, during the launch at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, outlined the 1GD programme’s objectives, aiming to train 2,000 Guyanese as full-stack developers, with a notable emphasis on including women and indigenous peoples.

He spotlighted 1GD’s role as a catalyst for empowerment, particularly highlighting the significant representation of women and Indigenous peoples among the attendees.

“These 2000 young people here, more than 60% of whom are women; this is living empowerment. This is practising empowerment…

“But much more important, 20% of all those who are registered are indigenous students,” President Ali stated, underscoring the initiative’s dedication to fostering inclusive growth and development.

The President elaborated on the transformative potential of the 1GD initiative, viewing it as a cornerstone for both individual and collective advancement.

“This partnership goes beyond the margins, as we were able to negotiate a special rate for this program… the costs will be US$20 million or G$4 billion.

“This is the investment we are making; this is your investment,” he declared, illustrating the government’s commitment to making digital education accessible to all.

Dr. Ali further delved into the broader impact of the initiative, emphasizing its significance against the backdrop of Guyana’s economic evolution.

“We are moving towards digitization, towards a system of governance that will remove a lot of bureaucracy… This system must work, and that is what we are building,” he articulated, highlighting the initiative’s alignment with the nation’s developmental goals.

The President discussed at length the strategic importance of integrating digital literacy with the country’s growth trajectory.

He envisioned a future where Guyanese youth are not just participants but leaders in the global digital economy.

“We are attaching these 2000 young people to jobs… ensuring that these multinationals offer us opportunities for their nearshoring and outsourcing jobs,” Dr. Ali stated, shedding light on the initiative’s ambition to make Guyana a hub for digital services.

Moreover, Dr. Ali highlighted the importance of cultural and educational shifts accompanying technological advancements.

“We took students who did not complete secondary education and put them into a re-discovery programme…

“These persons would have a certification from an international university,” he explained, signifying a holistic approach to empowerment through education.

In his feature address, President Ali reinforced the notion that the 1GD initiative is a meticulously thought-out strategy, not a serendipitous occurrence.

“Programmes, ideas do not occur by accident… It takes vision to conceptualise a programme like this,” he affirmed, recognising the collective efforts and foresight involved in bringing the initiative to fruition.

President Ali addressed the cultural shift needed to embrace the new opportunities presented by the digital age, highlighting the importance of hard work and the physical environment conducive to productivity.

He stated: “What we want to do is to build beautiful buildings and have young people go to work in the buildings… because you still have to understand that the culture of hard work cannot be replaced. Even in technology, hard work remains a foundational pillar.”

Dr. Ali ended his address with a powerful call to action and reflection for the participants, as he stressed the importance of seizing this unprecedented opportunity and contributing positively to the nation’s progress.

“Don’t take this investment for granted. Take this seriously, as the cultural makeup of our country is applying to do this. There are certain jobs differently,” he urged, underscoring the need for dedication and hard work in translating this initiative into tangible results for the individual and national prosperity.

CANADA’S ROLE IN FOSTERING DIGITAL EXCELLENCE

Continuing with the momentum set by President Ali, Canada’s Minister of International Development, Ahmed Hussen announced that Canada will be contributing CAN$9.5 million to the 1GD innovation.

This, he said, not only underscores his country’s investment in Guyana’s future, but also its commitment to creating equitable opportunities in the digital realm.

Minister Hussen elaborated on the significance of the initiative in promoting gender parity and inclusivity, a cornerstone of Canada’s international collaboration efforts.

“In every country that Canada engages with on these kinds of projects, we emphasise inclusion… making sure that women and girls who are normally left behind are included” he stated, reinforcing the shared values of empowerment and equality.

The minister’s address highlighted the transformative potential of the 1GD programme beyond mere digital literacy, envisaging it as a catalyst for long-term economic and social development in Guyana.

His words echoed the sentiment of mutual respect and shared goals, further solidifying the foundation for this ambitious project.

Meanwhile, the Managing Director of IGD, Mark Itwaru, provided the architectural blueprint of the initiative and outlined its objectives and anticipated impact.

Itwaru, a Canada-based Guyanese, brought a personal touch to the narrative, intertwining his professional experience with his cultural roots.

“One Guyana Digital is an initiative to bring world-class international institutions to Guyana to train the population to become qualified computer programmers, software developers, and technology experts,” Itwaru said, setting the stage for a transformative educational experience.

His vision of creating a near-sourcing industry in Guyana, potentially rivalling the nation’s oil industry, painted a picture of a diversified and robust economy.

Highlighting the uniqueness of the initiative, Itwaru delved into the innovative curriculum developed in partnership with Toronto Metropolitan University.

“This course will teach qualified applicants… cutting-edge programming languages such as Python used for artificial intelligence,” he stated, emphasising the strategic advantage this would provide Guyanese graduates with in the global job market.

Itwaru’s explanation extended beyond education, touching on the comprehensive support system designed to ensure student success. From mentorship to in-person tutoring, the initiative promises a holistic approach to learning and professional development.

His detailed explanation not only shed light on the operational aspects of the 1GD programme, but also illustrated its potential to change lives and reshape the industry landscape in Guyana.

Itwaru explained that as Guyana stands on the brink of a digital revolution, the 1GD programme represents more than just an educational initiative; it is a testament to the power of collective will, international partnership, and visionary leadership.

The 1GD Programme by the Government of Guyana is an initiative designed to harness the potential of Guyanese talent in the tech industry by providing an eight-month comprehensive training in front-end and back-end technologies.

Open to individuals aged 18 years and above, the programme aims to equip participants with the necessary skills to develop fully functional websites and mobile applications using languages and tools like SQL, JavaScript, Git, GitHub, and Unix Shell.

The curriculum includes creating responsive web pages, designing dynamic databases, and embedding SQL in Python code.

Successful completion of the programme offers prospects of employment in big tech companies, offering participants a significant pathway to education and career opportunities in technology.