Education

Ministry Of Youth Hosts Inaugural Green Tech Expo

The Ministry of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment celebrated Caribbean Youth Day on Monday by hosting its first-ever Green Tech Expo. It highlighted its commitment to empowering youth to address critical environmental challenges using innovative green technologies.

The Barbados Youth Green Tech Expo, under the theme “Uniting Environmental Sustainability with Innovation and Technology”, was held at the Hilton Barbados Resort, Needham’s Point, St. Michael

It coincided with the end of National Youth Week; an initiative launched by the Ministry in 2015 to highlight the role young people play in national development.

Speaking at the opening of the expo, Director of Youth Affairs, Cleviston Hunte, emphasised the need for collaboration with key youth stakeholders to meet the country’s development goals.

Acknowledging the setbacks young people have faced, Mr. Hunte reiterated Government’s commitment to working with organisations such as the Ashley Lashley Foundation and other vital partners.

“I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Ashley Lashley Foundation and all our partners and stakeholders who have worked tirelessly with the Ministry to bring this event to fruition.

“To the many practitioners and other actors in the green space whose collaboration with this Ministry plays a critical role in assisting Government to achieve the mandates set out in the Green Energy Policy, let me say that your unwavering support and commitment to green technology and sustainable development are truly commendable. Together, we have demonstrated that when we unite for a common cause, we can achieve remarkable things.”

CARICOM Youth Ambassador for Barbados and coordinator of the event, Ashley Lashley, noted that the day was a “celebration of the power of young minds to drive change and shape a greener future for our region and our country”. She noted that generations to come will have “serious issues” when it comes to climate change, and agriculture, as well as creating and maintaining a sustainable green economy.

“We have the energy, creative and passion to solve them, … so ask yourselves, what’s your role in shaping the future,” the Youth Ambassador stated.

Exhibitors at the Green Tech Expo included the Barbados National Oil Company; Walkers Institute for Regenerative Reserve, Education and Design; Barbados Fisheries Division; the Biocultural Educational Research Programme; Barbados Environmental Sustainability Fund; and Eco Sky Water. (PR/GIS)

Caption: Students of the Parkinson Memorial Secondary School chatting with the founder of Sky Water, Kyle Taylor, at the Barbados Youth Green Tech Expo, Hilton Barbados Resort

Education

Immigration Webinar For Students Wishing To Study In Canada

Barbadians interested in pursuing studies in Canada are invited to participate in the online Immigration Seminar of the Consulate General of Barbados, in Toronto.

The Consulate, as part of its annual activities to observe National Heroes Day, is hosting a week of activities, and the key event will be the Immigration Seminar tomorrow Thursday, April 24, at 6:00 p.m.

Over the past 12 months, there have been significant changes to the requirements and processes for obtaining an international student visa. As a result, the seminar will focus on the recent changes to the entry requirements for international students coming to Canada to pursue undergraduate or postgraduate studies.

Prospective students, as well as parents, guardians, guidance counsellors, school teachers and principals, who have a vested interest in obtaining the most up-to-date and accurate information to make the most informed choice from the available study options, are encouraged to participate in the online seminar.

Alana Alleyne, a barrister and solicitor, will cover areas such as the latest changes to international student visas, eligibility criteria for student visas, requirements for postgraduate work permits, and changes to eligibility for spousal work permits. (PR/GIS)

Education

Information Session For Teachers Keen On Working In USA

Primary school teachers interested in working in the United States of America (USA) are invited to an upcoming Information Session, tomorrow Thursday, April 24.

The session will be hosted in the Main Conference Room of the Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Third Sector, Warrens Office Complex, Warrens, St. Michael, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

The initiative is being facilitated by the Ministry, in partnership with the Barbados Employment and Career Counselling Service, the Barbados Union of Teachers, and Participate Learning, a USA recruitment firm.

During the event, Participate Learning will share important information on the application and recruitment processes, as well as on working in the USA. (PR/GIS)

Education

Ellerslie Students Welcomed At Barbados’ Embassy In Panama

The Embassy of Barbados in the Republic of Panama was pleased to welcome The Ellerslie School students and staff to its Chancery in Panama City, recently.

Chargé d’Affaires, Sandra Gittens, in her welcome to the group, which included Principal, Andrea Baptiste and Deputy Principal, Carl Applewhaite, shared the history of the mission, noting that the Embassy was established in 2020.

Mrs. Gittens said this was “in line with the Barbados Government’s desire to strengthen its relations and cooperation with Panama across a number of areas, including trade, investment, tourism and education”.

She expressed the hope that the visit would signal the start of a new relationship with The Ellerslie School in pursuit of future student-to-student and teacher-to-teacher exchanges, in collaboration with the Ministries of Educational Transformation and Training and Tertiary Education and its Panamanian counterpart, within the framework of the memorandum of understanding signed between the two countries.

Speaking on the value of learning a foreign language, First Secretary, Shireifa Joseph, spoke of her experience as a foreign language student and the positive impact that it has had on her career.

She encouraged the students to continue their foreign language journey, signalling that they were well on their way to becoming “bridge builders” in their future careers with the capacity to connect Barbados to other countries across the globe.

Counsellor at the Embassy, Michelle Carter, also noted the value of language learning, especially for those studying tourism, stating that developing a strong proficiency in a foreign language will serve as a critical tool in opening doors to their success in this sector, whether in Barbados or abroad. (PR/GIS)

Caption: Students, teachers and parents of the Ellerslie secondary school to the Embassy of Barbados in the Republic of Panama