$85M investment establishes digital design labs to 6 secondary schools

An $85 million investment is being used to establish specialised AutoCAD laboratories at six secondary schools across Guyana, with the latest facilities commissioned on Monday at Hope Secondary School and North Ruimveldt Secondary School. The state-of-the-art laboratories will allow students to transition from traditional manual technical drawing to computer-aided design, using specialised software to create detailed 2D and 3D digital models. The initiative is aimed at equipping students with practical skills for future careers in fields including architecture, engineering and construction. Speaking at the commissioning of the AutoCAD laboratory on Monday, Deputy Chief Education Officer (DCEO) with responsibility for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), Dr Ritesh Tularam, highlighted the importance of technology in education and student development.

“Technologies are now playing a critical role in the development of our students and systems that we are operating with. As a result of that, the Ministry of Education is very cognisant as it relates to the utilisation of novel technologies by our students, so that they can maintain that degree of competitiveness and acquire the requisite skill sets.” According to Tularam, the laboratories will allow students to develop the necessary competencies and transition smoothly into the world of work as they pursue their chosen careers. He said AutoCAD is increasingly important in today’s digital economy, as it replaces many traditional manual drafting processes with more accurate and efficient computer-based design.

Tularam noted that the software also allows students to create 3D models and visualisations, helping them transform creative and innovative ideas into digital designs and, eventually, physical prototypes through 3D printing. He added that AutoCAD is widely used across engineering and construction-related fields, including architecture, civil, mechanical and electrical engineering, making proficiency in the software an important skill for students pursuing careers in these disciplines. “As the country continues to expand in sectors such as infrastructure, housing, energy and manufacturing, the demand for digitally skilled and technically competent professionals will continue to grow,” he stated. Hope Secondary School and North Ruimveldt Secondary School were both commissioned on Monday, joining Abram Zuil Secondary School and Bygeval Secondary School, where AutoCAD laboratories were previously commissioned. The remaining two facilities under the initiative are scheduled to be commissioned next, with New Amsterdam Multilateral School slated for Tuesday and Zeeburg Secondary School on Wednesday. Tularam stated that three additional AutoCAD laboratories are expected to be commissioned in the coming week, as the Ministry of Education continues efforts to expand TVET.