Girls in ICT Day Events

2012, April 26 Uitvlugt, Guyana

National Frequency Management Unit Guyana
The National Frequency Management Unit (NFMU) launched Guyanas first Girls in ICT Day celebrations in April 2012. NFMU hosted an interactive seminar at the Uitvlugt Community Centre Ground with girls from several secondary schools on the 26th April 2012. 150 Third Form girls attended the event which was focused on introducing them to careers and opportunities in the ICT field in Guyana. Third Form girls were chosen as participants because at that point in their high school education they decide what subjects to pursue for the Caribbean Examinations Council (C.X.C) diploma. Female ICT professionals made presentations highlighting the creative and empowering benefits of working in the ICT field. The presentations encouraged the girls to opt for STEM subjects at C.X.C. Stereotypes about the ICT field were dispelled by the eager presenters who placed emphasis on the fact that the ICT field offers dynamic and broad career choices. The girls were told they could be anything from Programmers to Information Officers. The presenters also had a lively Q & A session with the girls. They were given guidance on what subjects to study at C.X.C and the application procedures to pursue STEM careers at the University of Guyana. The presenters at the event were from: E-Government Guyana One Laptop Per Family (OLPF) Guyana Ministry of Finance Guyana

Managing Director of the National Frequency Management Unit, Mr. Valmikki Singh encouraged the girls to take up ICT careers because the field holds the power to shape Guyanas future. The event was filmed by the National television station (NCN) and showcased on their weekly Youth Expressions television show. The show also featured pre-recorded interviews with female ICT professionals talking about their experiences and the benefits of choosing a career in ICT. Female ICT professionals interviewed were from E-Government Guyana and the University of Guyana. In the lead up to the Girls in ICT Day on April 26th 2012 several events were held to raise national awareness about the need for girls to pursue ICT careers. The events included onsite visits to the workplaces of female ICT professionals. Girls from various secondary schools were able to visit private companies such as Digicel Guyana where they interacted with women working in the ICT field.

Images from Girls in ICT Day Events 2012 Guyana

A section of the girls attending the Opportunities in ICT seminar at the Uitvlugt Community Center Guyana - April 26 2012

A student exploring the workstation of a female ICT professional during the onsite visits - April 2012

Girls in ICT Day Events

2013, April 25
Liliendaal, International Conference Center, Guyana
National Frequency Management Unit Guyana
The National Frequency Management Unit (NFMU) in its second observance of International Girls in ICT Day hosted a symposium and mini job fair at the Guyana International Conference Center on April 25 2013 under the theme Expanding Boundaries, Changing Attitudes in encouraging girls to pursue ICT careers. In its second year in Guyana the event attracted 300 girls from several secondary schools and training institutions such as the Carnegie School of Economics and the Government Technical Institute (GTI). Prime Minister Samuel Hinds addressed the girls and pointed out that no field is limited to females and urged the girls to consider careers in ICT. He said the Government of Guyana through initiatives such as E-Government and One Laptop Per Family (OLPF) is making significant investments in ICT. He encouraged the girls to make full use of these ICT facilities to promote national development. Director of Telecommunication, Gita Raghubir told the girls present that technology has transformed the world and is a vital part of our everyday lives. Her presentation showed that the Government has recognized the importance of ICT in development by facilitating the use of technology for economic and social progress. Female ICT professionals spoke about their experiences and were keen to take time out and interact with the participants. The girls were encouraged to ask questions and clarify any doubts about entering the ICT sector. Private ICT companies such as Digicel Guyana, Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company and Global Technology had mini ICT stations on display. They girls were allowed to interact with the ICT workstations and explore by doing. They were told of job opportunities at these companies and the benefits of working in the ICT field. The OLPF Project had a display station and exposed the girls to the use and care of laptops. In the lead up to this event the National Frequency Management Unit also made presentations on the national television station to raise awareness of the importance of having girls pursue careers in ICT.

Images from Girls in ICT Day Events 2013 Guyana

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds addressing the participants at the Symposium and Mini Job Fair at the Guyana International Conference Center April 26 2013

A student of the Guyana Society for the Blind explaining how she was able to pursue her secondary education through ICT at the Symposium and Mini Job Fair at the Guyana International Conference Center April 26 2013

Global Technology representative offering hands-on ICT lessons to the eager girls at the Symposium and Mini Job Fair at the Guyana International Conference Center April 26 2013

A section of the One Laptop Per Family ICT station at the Symposium and Mini Job Fair at the Guyana International Conference Center April 26 2013