Project Alpha: A game-changer for education

The University of Guyana Institute for Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship (UGIRIE) is hosting its Second Exhibition of Innovations from Thursday to Saturday, at the university’s Turkeyen Campus.

Over 40 innovations and applied research projects are on display, allowing researchers, students, entrepreneurs, and innovators to showcase their work, explore collaborations, and engage with potential sponsors.

Shomari Williams, a technical communications officer, presented UG’s Project Alpha, an initiative that integrates education with cutting-edge technology like virtual reality and augmented reality.

Shomari was part of a four-member team that won the first Webby Award for Guyana at the 2022 5G for Change Hackathon Award.

Shomari said Project Alpha can be a game-changer for education as it incorporates AI to ensure that students learn at a pace tailored to them.

“I believe that the more educated people we have, it is better for the country as a whole.

“There is a bunch of AI features that are integrated into the experiences and the entire goal with this technology is to make sure each student learns at a pace that is designed for them,” Shomari explained, noting that the platform includes experiences like a virtual fighter jet, which is used for military training and aeronautical engineers.

With the system, users can take apart the jet with a click, and every component is meticulously modeled to replicate real-life functionality.

A cross-section of the human brain is another feature aimed at the medical field.

“Think about it like this, I don’t think that I want a surgeon who doesn’t have the prerequisites necessary for him to open up my heart, opening my heart. But with a system like this [Project Alpha] he can keep going over and over until he makes it to the prerequisites,” Shomari explained as he further noted that the platform will now allow you to move to the next level until you have completed the current level.

Currently, Shomari said Project Alpha is conducting testing in plumbing but it can be used for any sector.

“The first lesson is basically all the pipes and fitting, you have to be able to identify them correctly before you can move on to the next lesson and the next lesson there is a sink setup and from there, you move on.”