GEORGETOWN, GUYANA — September 3, 2026: Thirty-five students from the inaugural cohort of the Regional Accelerator for STEM Students’ Readiness (RASSR) Camp successfully completed their five-year journey, culminating in a recognition ceremony held at the University of Guyana on August 2.
The RASSR programme is implemented by the University of Guyana in partnership with the Greater Guyana Initiative (GGI). GGI is a ten-year, US$100 million collaboration funded by the Stabroek Block co-venturers to support strategic investments that contribute to Guyana’s long-term social and economic development.
The graduation of the inaugural cohort marks a significant milestone for the programme, which aims to strengthen students’ readiness for higher education and careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
The inaugural RASSR cohort began with 103 students representing all ten administrative regions of Guyana. Over the five-year duration of the programme, participant numbers declined due to factors such as migration and age eligibility requirements, resulting in 35 students successfully completing the journey.
The closing ceremony, held at the University of Guyana’s George Walcott Lecture Theatre, marked a significant milestone for the Regional Accelerator for STEM Students’ Readiness (RASSR) programme. This annual programme identifies exceptional students at an early stage and nurtures their potential through immersive STEM education, leadership development, mentorship opportunities, and collaborative problem-solving challenges.
The programme is designed to strengthen students’ academic capabilities, build critical thinking skills, and prepare the next generation of leaders and innovators for success in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.
The two-week camp combines advanced learning in Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Engineering and Technology with practical challenges that strengthen creativity, teamwork, resilience and critical thinking all centered around students’ personal interest aimed at accelerating participants’ academic growth with opportunities for future STEM careers.
Addressing the students, Senior Advisor of Government Relations for CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited, Ambassador Bayney Karran, described their achievement as evidence of purposeful investment in Guyana’s future.
“The investment made through the Greater Guyana Initiative is reflected in you, the exceptional young men and women before us. You represent not only the success of this programme but also the promise of what our country can become when talent is nurtured and opportunity is created.”
Former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Guyana, Professor Paloma Mohamed-Martin, reminded students that they leave the programme with lifelong networks of lecturers, volunteers, teachers and peers who will continue to support their academic, professional and personal development. Encouraging them to value those relationships, she said, “What has been poured into you by so many people is something money can never buy.”
The programme also welcomed 99 new students into its second cohort this year. Like the first cohort, these participants were selected from across Guyana. Their participation in the 2026 RASSR camp will continue to support their academic enrichment and provide guidance and developmental opportunities over the next five years. Since its establishment in 2022, RASSR has expanded opportunities for talented students to explore STEM disciplines and prepare them for future success.
The second cohort’s inaugural camp, held from July 6 to July 19, mirrors that of cohort 1, introducing participants to hands-on activities in robotics, coding, engineering design challenges, laboratory experiments, teamwork exercises and leadership development, providing practical exposure to STEM careers and innovation.
Through sustained investment in young people, RASSR continues to strengthen Guyana’s future STEM workforce by equipping students with the technical knowledge, leadership skills and innovative mindset needed to pursue STEM careers and contribute to the country’s future development.
Programme monitoring has also shown that 79% of participating students have remained engaged in STEM fields with students from the inaugural cohort already enrolled in the University of Guyana pursuing their first degrees, demonstrating RASSR’s sustained impact on students.
About the Greater Guyana Initiative
The Greater Guyana Initiative is a ten-year, US$100 million partnership funded by the Stabroek Block co-venturers, ExxonMobil Guyana, Hess Guyana Exploration and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana.
GGI continues to invest in education, healthcare, environmental sustainability, capacity building and economic diversification, helping create lasting opportunities that support Guyana’s long-term national development.
