Students of Abram Zuil Secondary School are now better equipped for careers in engineering, design and technology following the opening of Region Two’s first-ever AutoCAD laboratory by the Ministry of Education on Friday.
Delivering the feature address, Education Minister Sonia Parag said the modern facility represents a major advancement in technical and vocational education and reflects the Government’s commitment to creating equal learning opportunities for students across Guyana.
The minister explained that the initiative forms part of the ministry’s wider push to modernise classrooms and ensure students are exposed to internationally recognised technological tools from an early stage.
According to Parag, the AutoCAD laboratory will allow students to move beyond traditional technical drawing methods into digital design and 3D modelling, skills that are increasingly in demand worldwide.
She noted that the education sector continues to expand rapidly with the construction of new schools and investments aimed at achieving universal secondary education.
She further announced that additional AutoCAD laboratories are expected to be introduced in other schools across the country.
Deputy Chief Education Officer (TVET), Dr Ritesh Tularam, said the new laboratory signals a shift from conventional drafting practices towards advanced computer-aided learning.
He explained that the investment will expose students to practical engineering and design applications while helping them build competencies relevant to modern industries.
Regional Chairman Devin Mohan described the development as another milestone in the region’s educational transformation and said it encourages creativity, innovation and technological growth among young people.
Regional Education Officer Shondelle Hercules said the facility is intended to strengthen digital learning and provide students with greater access to career pathways in engineering, information technology and surveying.
She emphasised that the laboratory also supports the wider goal of developing a skilled and competitive workforce capable of meeting modern demands.
Headteacher Jerome Rajpersaud said the school is proud to host the cutting-edge facility, noting that it will provide students with valuable hands-on experience in technical education.
Rajpersaud thanked the Ministry of Education, the TVET Unit, teachers and students who contributed to preparing the laboratory for commissioning.
The facility includes 15 Nitro V15 computers with 16GB RAM and 512GB storage capacity, a 72-inch smart board and a 24-inch plotter to support technical design work.
Special commendation was also given to Rishi Narine and members of the Industrial Technology Department for constructing furniture for the laboratory and assisting with preparations for the launch.
Among those attending the event was Dr Kofi Dalrymple of the University of Guyana.
