The University of Guyana’s Faculty of Engineering and Technology (FET) is redefining how students engage with industry leaders, ensuring they remain at the forefront of technological advancements. Under the leadership of newly-appointed Dean, Dr. Kofi Dalrymple, FET has launched its Tech Talk series—an initiative designed to expose students to real-world
engineering applications, groundbreaking innovations, and direct insights from experts in the field.
The inaugural session, held on February 20, 2025, at Fresh Restaurant, Georgetown, featured Ram Fish, CEO of 19Labs and a former Apple executive. Dr. Dalrymple, founder of OnCall Health Inc., has collaborated with Fish on advancing telemedicine in Guyana, making this event particularly meaningful. With students, professionals, and aspiring engineers in attendance, the discussion sparked critical conversations about problem-solving, emerging technologies, and the role of engineering in transforming lives.
The event attracted around 25 participants, including UG engineering students, high school students, and drone operators, all eager to explore how they can apply their skills to solve real world challenges.
One of the key messages from Fish’s talk was the importance of cultivating a mindset of deep technical engagement and rigorous problem-solving. He shared a compelling story from his time at Apple, where senior executives worked closely with engineers to resolve a minor yet complex issue.
“At Apple, when there is a problem, you aim to solve it by getting to the root cause—not a temporary fix,” Fish explained. “These temporary fixes always come back to haunt you, usually at the worst time possible. Always strive for structured, detailed, quantitative analysis.”
Fish also urged students to “fall in love with the problem, not the solution.” Engineers, he noted, often get attached to a single idea, but true innovation comes from adaptability and open minded thinking.
Fish highlighted 19Labs’ work in Guyana, where cutting-edge technology is reshaping healthcare access. Through mobile ultrasound, AI-powered diagnostics, and digital health platforms, telemedicine is bridging gaps in medical services, ensuring that even the most remote communities receive quality care.
In answering a question posed by Dr. Dalrymple on the role of drones in telemedicine, Fish said: “Healthcare isn’t just about virtual consultations—it’s about ensuring communities get the critical medical supplies they need.” He and his team have developed a long-range drone logistics system to transport medication, blood samples, and essential medical supplies to Guyana’s hinterland regions. This project, backed by a US$500,000 grant from the Inter
American Development Bank (IDB) Lab, is breaking geographical barriers and revolutionising rural healthcare delivery.
For students passionate about drone technology and autonomous systems, this discussion was especially exciting. Lemuel, an electrical engineering student at UG whose final-year project focuses on drone communication networks, found inspiration in Fish’s experiences. “My fascination with flight started when I was young, and it has since evolved into an obsession with aerospace technology,” Lemuel shared.
“Hearing about the challenges Mr. Fish and his team faced in developing a custom Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) for rural healthcare was inspiring. It reinforced my commitment to pushing boundaries and viewing failure as a stepping stone to success.”
Lemuel’s project focuses on FANETs (Flying Ad-Hoc Networks), an autonomous UAV network used in disaster response, environmental monitoring, and search-and-rescue operations. His research aims to develop energy-efficient routing protocols to address the power consumption challenges of UAVs, balancing flight and data transmission needs.
Beyond the technical aspects, Fish’s talk also shed light on the business opportunities emerging from these technologies. For many students, this was an eye-opener. Daniel, an engineering student, remarked, “The event was great, especially learning about the emerging business opportunities with this technology.”
With the success of its first installment, the Tech Talk series is set to become a flagship initiative for FET. Dr. Dalrymple envisions it as a bridge between academia and industry, providing students with direct access to experts, emerging trends, and real-world applications in engineering, business, and technology.
As the Faculty of Engineering and Technology continues to foster a culture of innovation, problem-solving, and industry collaboration, students can look forward to more inspiring discussions that will shape the next generation of Guyanese engineers and innovators.
