Guyana ready to partake in first-ever Global Robot Olympics

Apr 30, 2017 News

A group of Guyanese are set to participate in the inaugural Robot Olympics slated for July in Washington, District of Colombia (DC), USA.
Last week, First Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger met the group of young participants and

Team Guyana and their robot with Director of Sports, Christopher Jones (at right).

informed them that the Ministry of Education and other organizations are committed to supporting their participation in the upcoming event.
More than 150 countries from around the world are expected to participate at the Robot Olympics. This initiative is part of the wider Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) programme, which was started last year under the aegis of the First Lady’s Office. It is being spearheaded by Ms. Karen Abrams, an overseas-based Guyanese.
The competitors are tasked with building a robot solution which will address the problem of access to clean water by people around the world.
According to the First Lady, “Robotics is an important area of study. This is going to govern agricultural, social, educational and economic development and I am very happy to see how young people are just glomming on this initiative and running with it.”
In a video posted on STEMGuyana’s Facebook page, members of the Guyana delegation said that the jobs of the future around the world will require knowledge of robotics and a deep understanding of technology. A group member said, “Although we have only been exposed to robotics recently we are enthusiastic and motivated to participate.” Another member said that they believe that competition and cooperation builds character and are looking forward to benefiting from the experience.
The group members believe that innovations in the various industries will assist in problem solving, improve efficiency and create more opportunities for young people. However, Team Guyana is appealing for support in purchasing equipment and gear among other items.
Meanwhile, Minister Catherine Hughes has issued a call to corporate Guyana to get on-board and support the group of young, vibrant and creative Guyanese, who are set to represent the country at such a major platform.
“We need to be able to fund this trip and so we are asking everyone who can step forward and make a donation, to consider it your national duty to do so,” she said.
Earlier this month STEMGuyana were the recipients of nearly $200,000 in information technology and electronic equipment from IT Company, Cyber Solutions.
Co-founder of the company Mr. Ryon Persaud stated that he donated the items because of the youths’ dedication towards winning and learning from the competition. He added that he intends to further build Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in Guyana and pledged to support such ventures in the future.