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City schoolgirls encouraged to consider careers in ICT
The National Frequency Management Unit (NFMU) yesterday held an International Girls in ICT Day symposium under the theme “Expanding Horizons, Changing Attitudes” that was aimed at empowering and encouraging girls and young women to consider careers in the field of Information and Communication Technology (ICT).
Some of the girls gathered at the North Ruimveldt Secondary School during the ICT symposium.
This event held at the North Ruimveldt Secondary School, targeted students from city schools, including David Rose, Freeburg, Caramel, Houston, North Georgetown, Dolphin and Brickdam Secondary Schools, Bishops’ High, Queen’s College and Central High.
Ninth and 10th grade female students were provided an opportunity to become inspired about the ICT sector, by getting a first-hand look into the ICT institutions and listening to women role models speak on the issue.
Traditionally, employment in the ICT sector, worldwide, is dominated by males. In this regard, each year, the NFMU has been planning and executing several activities in an effort to ensure that Guyanese women are well educated and sensitised on ICT and its advantages.
Lance Hinds of the Brain Street Group, who delivered the feature address, acknowledged the fact that the ICT sector has been vastly improved over the past years, and if the country is to develop further, girls must participate.
“This is the reason we want to encourage ICT, girls and boys as well, to participate further in this activity. We sometimes are so stuck in terms of the things we want to do as careers. In 2015, when you ask a child what he/she wants to become, you still hear doctor, lawyer and engineer. Nothing is wrong with those fields, but let me tell you, I don’t know of any career that is as varied as the ICT ones,” Hinds told the students.
Hinds reiterated that there are not many jobs that can compete with ICT; in fact the sector continues to provide the most jobs for young people, even as young as 15 years old. He referred to the founder of Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg, and Microsoft, Bill Gates, both of whom did not even complete university education.
ICT is a cross-cutting component, he said, whether it is finance, accounts or construction, hence there is a need for everyone to become technologically inclined.
Hinds urged the students to pursue a field in ICT. He emphasised that hard work, dedication and the ability to think critically are just a few qualities that are needed for them to excel in this field.
‘International Girls in ICT Day’ is an initiative backed by ITU Member States to create a global environment that empowers and encourages girls and young women to consider careers in the growing field of information and communication technologies (ICTs).
ICT is one of the primary sectors to catalyse economic growth and sustainable development. Recognising this fact, the Government of Guyana, through initiatives such as E-Government, One Laptop Per Family and computer labs for schools, as well as the private sector, has been making significant investments in ICT, thereby availing technology to every Guyanese, and building the foundation upon which female citizens can expand their boundaries. (GINA)
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