On Wednesday, July 30, 2025, the EMC Foundation and the Sophia Point Rainforest Research Centre signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), officially formalising a partnership aimed at advancing environmental awareness and facilitating knowledge sharing with a focus on youths in Bartica and the Lower Essequibo Region.
The MoU was signed by Ms. Sarah Singh, EMC Foundation’s Program Coordinator, and Ms. Ailsa Henderson, Sophia Point’s Centre Director, and witnessed by Dr. Gyanpriya Maharaj and Mr. René Edwards, trustees of the Sophia Point Rainforest Research Centre. Also present were Rt. Honourable David Lammy, Founder of the Sophia Point Rainforest Research Centre and United Kingdom Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, and the Founder and Director of the EMC Foundation, Mr. Shyam Nokta.
This partnership marks a significant step forward in advancing environmental awareness and youth empowerment and brings together two organisations that have operations and activities in the Lower Essequibo River focused on rainforest awareness, research and conservation action, working with local communities and youths.
About the EMC Foundation
EMC Foundation was established by Shyam Nokta, winner of the 2022 Anthony N Sabga Award for Entrepreneurship. The foundation works to support environmental awareness and education in Guyana by promoting activities that encourage a greater understanding of the environment, creating a network to connect like-minded people, and providing opportunities to experience Guyana’s rich natural environment.
For more information, please visit https://www.emcfoundation.gy
About the Sophia Point Rainforest Research Centre
The Sophia Point Rainforest Research Centre is committed to supporting the transformation of research and conservation in Guyana’s rainforests. The organisation supports this mission by conserving the Sophia Point site, establishing research facilities, and fostering local and global dialogue on ecosystem integrity, climate change, biodiversity, and sustainable resource use. With a permanent, accessible Field Research Centre on the East Bank of the Essequibo River, Sophia Point serves as a low-cost, high-impact hub for equitable, world-leading science.
For more information, please visit https://www.sophiapoint.com/
Ms. Sarah Singh, EMC Foundation’s Program Coordinator, and Ms. Ailsa Henderson, Sophia Point’s Centre Director, Signing the MOU
Rt. Honourable David Lammy and Mr. Shyam Nokta During a Discussion at the MOU Signing
EMC Foundation and Sophia Point Representatives Present for the MOU Signing (Back Row, From Left: Mr. René Edwards, Mr. Shyam Nokta, Rt. Honourable David Lammy; Front Row, From Left: Ms. Ailsa Henderson, Dr. Gyanpriya Maharaj, Ms. Sarah Singh)
The EMC Foundation was established by Mr. Shyam Nokta, winner of the 2022 Anthony N Sabga Award for Entrepreneurship. The Foundation works to support environmental awareness and education in Guyana by promoting activities which encourage a greater understanding of the environment, creating a network to connect like-minded persons, and providing opportunities to experience Guyana’s rich natural environment.