GTI launches AutoCAD lab to equip students with advanced digital design skills

Technical education in Guyana received a boost with the commissioning of a new AutoCAD laboratory at the Government Technical Institute (GTI), marking a transition from traditional pen-and-paper drafting to modern three-dimensional digital design.

The Karpowership-GTI AutoCAD Technology Lab, launched on Thursday, February 19, 2026, replaces manual drafting tools with twenty-six high-performance workstations equipped with specialized Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software. The technology enables students to move from flat sketches to precise digital 2D blueprints and complex 3D models used in infrastructure development, electrical systems, and energy-sector machinery.

The facility was established through a partnership between the Ministry of Education and Karpowership, aimed at strengthening the connection between classroom learning and industry demands. Officials said the collaboration merges the Ministry’s educational framework with Karpowership’s technological investment, ensuring GTI remains competitive in technical vocational training within the region.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Beyza Özdemir, Americas Regional Director of Commercial Operations at Karpowership, highlighted the company’s focus on supporting education and long-term skills development.

“At Karpowership, we believe that supporting education is an important part of building sustainable communities,” Ms. Özdemir stated. “By providing essential technology, we aim to help students develop practical skills that can support their future careers.”

Education officials described the initiative as a milestone for Guyana’s education system, noting that expanding 2D and 3D design capacity at the student level will help prepare future engineers and architects for the country’s expanding infrastructure needs.

In his keynote address, Deputy Chief Education Officer (Technical) Dr. Ritesh Tularam said the Ministry is “opening doors to imagination, precision, and professional opportunity,” while describing AutoCAD as the “backbone of modern engineering.”

He also stressed the importance of safeguarding the investment to ensure its lasting impact.

“We cannot have an armchair approach to the management and preservation of this center. The investment is significant, and we must ensure that we manage it sensibly so that every child can make a tangible and meaningful contribution to their community and society,” Dr. Tularam said.

The ceremony concluded with a ribbon-cutting and guided tour of the facility, formally establishing the lab as a new hub for innovation and skills training. Officials said the project underscores the value of public-private collaboration in aligning education with the demands of 21st-century industry.