Director of STEMGuyana, Ms. Karen Abrams, delivered an inspiring keynote address at the Guyana Public Service Co-operative Credit Union Limited (GPSCCU) Bursary Awards Ceremony, where she urged students to prepare themselves to lead in a rapidly changing, technology-driven world.
In a speech that resonated with students, parents, and educators alike, Ms. Abrams congratulated the nation’s young achievers for their focus, commitment, and excellence. “You have accomplished something truly special,” she told the awardees. “You have made your families, your schools, and your country proud.”
She also extended heartfelt praise to parents and guardians, describing them as “the quiet heroes behind every success story,” and expressed gratitude to the GPSU Credit Union for its continued investment in education. “Thank you for rewarding excellence and believing in the next generation of Guyanese leaders,” she said.
Turning her attention to the future, Ms. Abrams highlighted the profound impact of technology on every aspect of life, from how people learn and communicate to how they work. “Young people, you are growing up in a world that is changing faster than any generation before you,” she said. “The real power of technology lies behind the screens, not in front of them.”
Encouraging students to think beyond social media and entertainment, she challenged them to become creators and innovators. “Behind those screens are the engineers, designers, product managers, startup CEOs, and investors, the true influencers who shape what we see, think, plan, and even want for ourselves,” she explained.
Ms. Abrams also spoke passionately about the importance of understanding Artificial Intelligence (AI), calling it one of the most transformative technologies of this era. “AI is no longer science fiction,” she said.
“It’s already writing essays, coding apps, diagnosing illnesses, and creating art and music. I implore you, use AI for more than writing homework essays. Study it, understand it, and use it to improve yourselves and to build solutions that solve real problems in your communities.”
In closing, Ms. Abrams reminded students that the habits they develop today will shape their future success. “The world you are inheriting is full of challenges, but also full of possibilities to solve those very challenges,” she said. “Your preparation today, the habits you build right now, will determine how high you rise tomorrow.”
The event, hosted by the GPSCCU Credit Union, brought together students, parents, educators, and education officials to celebrate academic excellence and to reaffirm the importance of youth empowerment through education and technology.
