-gov’t remains committed to inclusivity irrespective of background, PM Phillips says

AS the curtains came down on the Innovation Challenge 2024, Prime Minister (Ret’d) Brigadier Mark Phillips on Sunday said the participating youths had the opportunity to showcase their technological skills on a unique platform for local talent.

The event, which falls under the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM)’s Industry and Innovation Unit (IIU), was held over a three-day period at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre on the lower East Coast Demerara.

While delivering the feature address at the closing ceremony, PM Phillips emphasised government’s commitment to inclusivity and the belief that everyone, regardless of age or background has a role in shaping our country’s technological future.

“And what we have done, in keeping with that mindset, we have over the last six months invested in the purchase of a thousand Starlink devices so we could connect to the low-Earth orbiting satellites out there in an effort to have our citizens who live mainly in the hinterland, be connected to the Internet and therefore bridge the digital divide,” he stated.

Added to this, PM Phillips said they expect that at Innovation Challenge 2025, there will be more participants from the hinterland regions.

“So, perhaps we may have a runoff over a weekend before so we can get the best from all the hinterland regions to qualify and travel to Georgetown to compete with you,” he said.

The Prime Minister pointed out that government stands firmly committed to fostering a culture of innovation, particularly among the youth.

“So it is through your ideas, your creativity, and willingness to challenge the status quo, that we will be able to transition successfully into a future characterised by sustainable development, technological advancement, and economic prosperity.
“Again, our government is committed to supporting development of our youth and providing opportunities to thrive while ensuring that these opportunities bring about grounded development that touches all areas of Guyana,” he said.

Innovation Challenge 2024 was launched on Friday under the theme, “Transitioning Through Innovation”. It comprised 11 teams of which only three emerged as winners of the challenge.

This year’s challenge was centred on public transportation services in Guyana and involved participants showcasing their skills in information and communication technology, creativity and problem-solving while also learning from industry experts who were there to guide and mentor them.

As the proud sponsor of this year’s challenge, the General Manager of SBM Offshore Guyana, Martin Cheong stated briefly, “At SBM Offshore Guyana, we remain unwavering in our support for the innovation challenge.

“Over the years, we’ve seen incredible potential from each young Guyanese who has taken part. Your coding skills and innovative thinking are not just impressive. They are essential for building a technology-driven workforce and helping Guyana reach its ambitious developmental goals.”

In encouraging the participants, he said that as Guyana continues to evolve rapidly, their ability to adapt and innovate will be crucial.

He urged them to keep refining their skills, to stay curious, and to embrace the challenges that lie ahead as their contributions are vital to the ongoing global technological revolution.

“We are excited to see how you will shape the future. Coming out of today’s feedback that I’ve received, we’ve made a few commitments to the OPM’s department that we will support the youngsters, especially those in their teens, in further developing pathways for their skills development.”