After years of working with outdated computers, students of the University of Guyana (UG) are finally privy to an upgrade thanks to a three-year $60 million agreement between the institution and GT&T.
The memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed earlier this year and encompassed the refurbishment and replacement of computer hardware and software in the computer lab of UG’s Centre for Information Technology (CIT). CIT was officially commissioned a decade ago by then president Bharrat Jagdeo.
Paulette Paul, Public Relations Officer of UG, explained at the commissioning yesterday that the agreement will see the provision of 153 computers for use by both teachers and students. Fifty-seven of these computers, she said, will be for internet use while the remaining amount was for teaching purposes. “Since I came to this university I’ve signed over 20 agreements; this is the first one I’ve started seeing the fruit of…,” UG Vice Chancellor Jacob Opadeyi said. Opadeyi explained that the agreement consists of 5 elements; 3 of these elements have already been completed, he said and include the delivery of 2 MB of bandwidth and the restoration of the computer lab.
“I’m very excited that they [GT&T] felt committed that they could not leave us struggling on our own,” Opadeyi said.
He went on to say that the agreement will see numerous benefits to the student population including easier access to reliable internet services.
Opadeyi further encouraged more private sector companies to invest in the university. “GT&T is just one of the private sector. We need more private sector investment in the university,” he pointed out.
CEO for GT&T RK Sharma reiterated Opadeyi’s point for more investments and opined that there ought to be a recognition of UG as Guyana’s premier educational institution. GT&T’s recognition of the importance of knowledge led to the company’s investment in the university, Sharma added.
“We recognise that education is pivotal for moulding the minds of young people in developing the intellect and academic skills to pave the way into the work force and a better quality of life,” he said.
He continued, “I know that what some persons take for granted or deem an entitlement others must find ways to do it and succeed without.
Thus, I am invariably sympathetic to initiatives that make resources available for the larger social class.”
According to Sharma, investments in education lead to both economic empowerment and social development. “The culmination between education and national development has been well-established and this has been demonstrated by countries that have achieved high levels of economic growth having advanced education systems,” Sharma said. He continued, “Therefore, emphasis on education should not be incidental but strategic.”
This year, the facility was commissioned by President Donald Ramotar who stated that the agreement coincided completely with the government’s efforts to improve UG’s facilities. He too agreed that human capital is the most important resource of Guyana and needed to be developed through education.
When the facility was initially opened, GT&T equipped it to the value of $10 million and provided high-speed internet access.
