Tertiary level institutions in Barbados will be fully represented in the British Virgin Islands next week, when the Association of Caribbean Tertiary Institutions (ACTI) hosts its 20th Annual General Meeting (AGM), from November 17 to 19 at H. Lavity Scott Community College.
The meeting, which will place emphasis on the development of the educational system is expected to see representatives from 17 countries, including Government Ministers with responsibility for education and social policy, senior civil servants and Presidents, Chancellors, Deans and faculty members of universities.?? There will also be sessions for corporate leaders working with, or planning to establish partnerships with tertiary education institutions.
Barbados’ delegation will include the Principal of the University of the West Indies (UWI), Open Campus Hazel Simmons McDonald; Principal of the Barbados Community College (BCC), Dr. Gladstone Best; Principal of the Samuel Jackman Prescod Polytechnic, Anthony Headley; and Principal of the Erdiston Teachers’ Training College, Barbara Parris.
The theme of the conference is Developing the Whole Person for a Productive and Prosperous Caribbean Region.?? And Subthemes will be: The Role of Tertiary Education in Shaping Attitudes; Tertiary Education: Supporting Youth for Leadership and Providing Workforce Options for Caribbean Development.
President of ACTI, Dr. Roosevelt Williams will open the Conference, present the President’s report, and outline plans on the way forward for the association. Programme Officer for UWI Open Campus, Jenetha Long and Officer in charge of UWI Open Campus, Office of External Relations, Inter and Intra-institutional Collaboration (ERIC), Dr. Louis Whittington will address the issue of Tertiary Education – Shaping and Reinforcing Attitudes and Values.
The conference will also see honorary membership conferred on Rev. Canon Noel Titus, a past ACTI President and on former Director in charge of UWI Open Campus, ERIC, Dr. Bevis Peters. Former Principal of the BCC, Norma Holder, who is also a past ACTI President, will also receive a special award.
ACTI was formed in November 1990 in Kingston, Jamaica as a regional educational organisation that aims to foster national and regional advancement through collaborative efforts, sharing of resources and meaningful partnerships at the tertiary level.
Located in Barbados on the UWI CARICOM compound, it is the association for tertiary institutions here and regionally.
It promotes cooperation and communication among the region’s educational institutions; encourages improvements in the quality, development and delivery of programmes; and provides a forum for discussion for educators across the Caribbean. The fundamental aim is to create a common learning society for the entire region.??jgill@barbados.gov.bb