The Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) and US company Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL) have announced an investment in university-level engineering education aimed at preparing the next generation of electrical engineers for the rapidly changing demands of the industry.
A release from GPL said that as part of this initiative, SEL has donated modern protection and control equipment used within electrical power systems to support training at the University of Guyana’s Faculty of Engineering and Technology.
Importantly, the equipment provided to the University represents the same type of field devices that will be utilized to protect and control Guyana’s electrical power system as the country continues to modernize its infrastructure.
The initiative is designed to bridge the gap between academic learning and industry requirements by exposing students to modern technologies and practices. As utilities worldwide continue to modernize their networks through automation, digital protection systems, smart grid technologies, renewable energy integration, and advanced monitoring systems, the release said that the need for graduates with practical knowledge of these technologies has never been greater.
Under the initiative, electrical engineering students will receive hands-on exposure to SEL equipment, providing them with practical experience in technologies they are likely to encounter in their professional careers. The training, under the guidance of Dr. Klass, is intended to complement classroom instruction and better prepare students for the demands of the modern power and energy sector.
The collaboration also provides an opportunity for closer engagement between academia and industry, the release said.
The event was attended by representatives of SEL, including Miguel Cruz, S&CS Director for Latin America and the Caribbean; Eibory Trujillo, Regional Business Manager; and Eduardo Palma, Technical Manager and Principal Engineer for Latin America and the Caribbean. Also in attendance were representatives of ExxonMobil, senior officials from the University of Guyana, including Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Dr. Kofi Dalrymple, industry stakeholders, GPL engineers and technicians, and students.
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