MODEC, Guyana’s 2024 National Robotics Team Sponsor, Impressed by STEMGuyana’s Robotics Programme

Last Friday, October 4th, 2024, representatives from MODEC Guyana Inc. visited the STEMGuyana Clubhouse to meet with Guyana’s National Robotics Team, a group of fifteen talented youth, ages 14 to 18, 6 of whom recently represented Guyana at the First Global Challenge, an international robotics competition held in Athens, Greece.

MODEC, a global leader in floating production solutions such as FPSOs (Floating Production Storage and Offloading units) and TLPs (Tension Leg Platforms) for the offshore oil and gas industry, sponsored STEMGuyana’s National Robotics Team in their participation at the 2024 First Global Challenge. The MODEC team, led by Country Manager Rafael Fumis, included Livia Alves, Training Coordinator; Onicka Jones, Stakeholder, Socio-Economic & Local Content Manager; and Kipenie Jordan, Communications Analyst.

STEMGuyana, in a statement, said during the visit, MODEC’s representatives engaged the robotics team in discussions about their training, preparation, and participation in the competition. The students explained how they worked closely with their international alliance members, analysing each other’s robots to divide tasks based on their strengths. For instance, they shared that their robot excelled in carrying and offloading tasks, so they focused on perfecting that function. They also described how they made real-time adjustments to their robot throughout the competition to stay competitive.

Mr. Rafael Fumis, MODEC’s Country Manager, spoke with the team and drew parallels between the robotics work and the tasks performed in the offshore oil and gas industry. “The work you’re doing here is very similar to what we do in our operations,” he said. “On our offshore platforms, we control thousands of valves through CPUs like the one in your robot. We analyse data from various sensors, and those valves react to maintain the process table. The skills you are learning here are directly applicable to the work we do. Additionally, we use robots and drones for inspections and 3D modeling, so what you’re learning will undoubtedly make a difference in your future careers. Well done!”

Alisha Koulen, Operations Manager at STEMGuyana, took the opportunity to brief the MODEC team on the various programs offered by STEMGuyana, including STEM Clubs, Learning Pods, National Competitions, the STEMGuyana Innovation Expo, the Robin the Robot TV Programme, the Parent Academy, the Virtual Academy, and the Summer Camps.

Elsie Harry, Board Member and Fundraising Coordinator for STEMGuyana, highlighted the relevance of the students’ STEM education to the growing demands of the oil and gas sector. She recalled that several STEMGuyana alumni had been recruited by companies within the industry. She also suggested that, when MODEC’s FPSO unit arrives in Guyana, it would be an exciting opportunity for the robotics students to visit and witness its operations firsthand.

Mr. Fumis welcomed the idea, as did the students, who were eager for the potential learning experience.

Lakesha McArthur, who served as the robot driver during the First Global Challenge, expressed her heartfelt thanks to MODEC Guyana Inc. for their generous sponsorship and presented the MODEC team with STEMGuyana memorabilia as a token of appreciation.

Team Guyana Robotics 2024’s participation in the Athens Challenge was made possible through the generous support and sponsorship of several key contributors.  To this end STEMGuyana has extended special thanks to Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony, Ms. Malvie Talbot from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Education, the First Global Organisation, MODEC, and the parents of our team members.

Local restaurants—Starbucks, Big Kahuna, and Saboor—who provided snacks for the team came in for special mention.  Deeply appreciation was also extended to learning institute’s mentors, for their dedication and countless hours invested, guiding the team through the process of building their robot.