National Quality Week, October 12 to 18, which coincided with World Standards Day, October 14, saw the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) hosting several activities to educate and engage stakeholders on standards. This year, the GNBS took its Secondary School Speech Competition to schools on the Essequibo Coast, Region # 2, and participating students did great justice to the topics on which they spoke, which all highlighted the usefulness of standards in everyday life.
Specifically, the topics included Standards improving the Quality of Consumer Products, Standards supporting Care for the Environment, Standards supporting the Use of Alternative Energy, Standards supporting Education delivery and management globally, and Standards supporting the Transfer of Technology.
Speaking on Standards – Supporting the Use of Alternative Energy, the best speaker of the competition, Romir Chetram of Anna Regina Secondary was nothing short of outstanding. He was tasked with defining alternative energy and explaining how standards support the safe development, supply and use of alternative energy from sources such as wind, solar or hydropower.
Chetram began his presentation by defining alternative energy sources stating, “it is energy sourced from anything besides fossil fuel and has a low environmental impact.” He acknowledged that the International Electro- Technical Commission is a leader in the development of standards relating to alternative energy.
Sighting examples in every instance, the winning presenter Chetram stated that Standards ensure equipment is designed and built safely using strong weather resistant materials and based on good engineering practices. Secondly, he asserted that standards set performance and quality requirements, ensuring that alternative energy equipment meets efficiency requirements. He also advised that standards have a role in the prevention of accidents and system failures by recommending the installation of proper safety devices in alternative energy systems.
Providing the judges and the audience which comprised students, teachers, Educational and Regional Officials, including the New Regional Chairman of Region #2, Devin Mohan with these well thought out and articulated details, Chetram scored an average of 55 out of the 60 points, contributing to victory of his school. Chetram was presented with the best speak prize of a laptop, and Anna Regina Secondary was awarded the first-place trophy and a gift voucher. Meanwhile, trophies were also presented to Abrams Zuil and Johanna Cecilia Secondary for respectively coping second and third positions. Aurora Secondary gained fourth position.
GNBS is extremely proud of and all the students who represented their schools by delivering their speeches at this year’s National Quality Week Speech Competition. Promoting standards to and among the youths of today, who are the future of tomorrow, remains a step in the right direction as our country transforms.
Finally, gratitude is extended to the Ministry of Education (MOE) for once again partnering with the GNBS in Standards Education. This partnership is expected to continue at the Primary level as the GNBS prepares to host the Standards in Academia Quiz Competition during the final term of the school year.
For more information about GNBS, the standards and services it provides, call 219-0062-66, WhatsApp 692-4627, or visit www.gnbsgy.org.
