Scores of upward, third and fourth form students from Queen’s College, Bishops’ High School, St. Rose’s High School, Richard Ishmael Secondary School, Tutorial High School, and Saint Stanislaus College, in Georgetown, Guyana, benefited from fifth, two-week Summer Math Institute (“QCSMI”) from July 18 – July 29, after a two-year hiatus, presented by the Queens College Alumni Association NY (QCAANY).
The objectives of the QCSMI were, to attract high school students in Guyana to mathematical sciences and to motivate them to excel in the subject; introduce high school students and their parents to the notion of mathematics as theory; and sensitize students and their parents to future linked with mathematics, including, but not limited to, careers as mathematicians, math educators, research scientists, computer scientists, economists, or business leaders.
The students went on several field trips as complementary activities integral to the QCSMI experience. Among these were trips to the Schlumberger Company, an oil and gas company, The National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute and Demerara Distilleries Limited.
According to President of (QCAANY) John Campbell the field trips demonstrated the use of “mathematical principles in real-world scenarios and especially how these principles are used in the two main industries driving the Guyana economy – Energy and Agriculture. Additionally, the students benefited from discourses with local professionals in STEM-based disciplines about STEM career options,” he said.
This year, the program was led by mathematician, Dr. Cleveland Waddell, Queen’s College alumnus and Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics from North Carolina State University.
Dr. Waddell was supported by John Campbell, president of QCAANY, Shifiera Surujballi, a member of QCAANY, Ede Tyrell, Queen’s College alumna and University of Guyana lecturer who specializes in Microbiology in the Department of Medical Technology of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Dianne Henry, Queen’s College teacher, and other Queen’s College friends and supporters.
Campbell said this year’s program was made possible through generous sponsorships from alumnus Dr. Edris Kamal Dookie and family, Metallica Commodities Corporation, Rambaire LLC, and friends of Queen’s College.
In addition to the QCSMI program, QCAANY has consistently supported science-oriented students and programs at Queen’s College. Since 2000, through its Vernley Ward Bursary, QCAANY has awarded scholarships to 1st and second year students enrolled at the University of Guyana who have distinguished themselves in chemistry while at Queen’s College.
QCAANY helped to create the school’s first computer lab in the late 1990s and continues to collaborate with other Queen’s College alumni chapters to refurbish and upgrade equipment in the computer, physics and biology labs.
More recently, QCAANY has focused on funding enrichment programs and social services to students. Student conferences providing students with extra-curricular knowledge have been held each academic year since 2014.
The funding of child advocacy and mental health services for at risk students has been done on an as-needed basis. A recognition of the importance of Arts, Music, and Sports in developing well rounded students has also led to QCAANY increasingly focusing on the revitalization of these programs at Queen’s College.
Just recently, members and supporters of QCAANY have been actively involved in overseeing the refurbishment of the school field, including raising and allocating funds for the rebuilding of the stands and pavilion on the sports field. QCAANY has also created a fund to provide financial support to girls’ sports at QC.
The organization’s mission is to contribute significantly to the advancement and improvement of education at Queen’s College and in Guyana. For more information about the Queen’s College Summer Math Institute, please contact QCAANY at nychapter@qcguyanaalumnny.org.
