| — as part of national advancement approachWith the advances in Science and Technology, it has long been recognised that a country’s development, Guyana being no exception,Wholesale Nike NFL Jerseys, is dependent on such innovations.And Guyana is very much on course to embrace this very necessary need, according to National Science Coordinator,Cheap Jerseys, within the Ministry of Education, Ms Petal Punalall-Jetoo.In fact she has revealed that Guyana has come a long way in this regard as it is currently preparing to conduct a Gap Analysis on Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) needs.Ms. Petal Punalall-Jetoo, National Science CoordinatorA seminar to discuss the pending analysis will be convened today at the East Coast Demerara Grand Coastal Inn. The facilitators will include a number of experts selected by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) which has been playing an integral role, along with the Education Ministry, to advance Science and Technology here in Guyana.The strategic move towards embracing Science and Technology started back in 2009 when the Science Unit of the Education Ministry, the National Center for Educational Resources Development (NCERD), in collaboration with the Office of the President coordinated the development of a National Science and Technology Policy and Master Plan for the Socio-Economic and Environmental Advancement of Guyana.But according to Punalall-Jetoo, it was only recently that the two-prong document was reviewed and approved by Government. Its development was aided by technical and financial assistance from UNESCO. The late Navin Chandarpal, who was at the time Advisor to the President on Science, Technology and Sustainable Development,Jerseys NFL Cheap, had taken the lead in the process and worked as the convenor to a Science Policy working group.His efforts saw the re-establishment of a National Science and Technology Council, which is currently chaired by President Donald Ramotar.However, one of the initial steps in the implementation of the Policy and Master Plan will have to be the development of STI indicators, according to Punalall-Jetoo.Moreover, she noted that UNESCO has agreed to send their experts from its Institute of Statistics to train a local team, comprising members of the Science Council,Cheap Jerseys Outlet, the Bureau of Statistics, University of Guyana,NFL Jerseys China, Ministries of Agriculture,NFL Jerseys China, Education, Finance, Natural Resources and the Environment and the Private Sector, on the national policy and its linkage to a number of indicators.The Gap Analysis therefore is one that will help to assess the current status of Science and Technology in Guyana even as it seeks to give guidance on the use of Science and Technology data to help develop relevant STI training for national development, among other key elements.According to Punalall-Jetoo, Guyana is currently heading along this path since it is clear that STI indicators are important to help aid development as outlined in the Science and Technology Policy and Master Plan.The National Science Coordinator has moreover revealed plans for a country survey, which, according to her,Wholesale Jerseys China, “will help us to identify the country’s human resources in Science and Technology and how skills in this regard can translate to innovations that are relevant for national development.”For this reason, she noted that the forum today will assist the Ministry of Education in determining training needs in STI.The eventual gap analysis, which will be conducted through the office of the President in collaboration with the University of Guyana and NCERD, will not be limited to the education sector but will also support other national Science and Technology related sectors, Punalall-Jetoo has asserted. |
