University Archives - Page 6 of 7 - Nevis Island News and Notes

UVI President Treats Nevisians To Lunch

Dr. Laverne Ragster (L) and Mr. Ernie France

Charlestown, Nevis
July 05, 2008

President of the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) Dr. Laverne Ragster on July 03, 2008, treated past and present students who are also nationals of Nevis to lunch at Banana’s Bistro.

The President, who was in the Federation, opted to mingle with alumni students here and also used that time to update the gathering on changes within the institution.

“We are here to speak with our Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College officials and with your Minister of Education at the Federal level in terms of how we can change the articulation agreement we have with the college to the next level,” Dr. Ragster said.

She said that while it was positive for past and present students to encourage others to attend UVI, it was also important that they advised prospective students well.

Venisha Pringle – Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College Graduate
Photo By Erasmus Williams

Basseterre, Saint Kitts – Nevis
June 24, 2008 (CUOPM)

Caribbean nations are opposed to the full-scale liberalisation or opening up of the region’s tertiary education sector, which is seen as a public good and not as an economic or commercial enterprise.

Speaking at the just concluded Caribbean-New York Conference last week at which a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the University of the West Indies (UWI) and the Medgar Evers College in New York, St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas noted that the United States, the lead competitor in the tertiary education sector and as a member of the WTO, the US has sought “”¦full commitments for market access and national treatment in higher education and training services, for adult education, and for ‘other’ education.” The request has been made to all 145 WTO members.

Douglas said given that one significant aspect of the GATS is non-reciprocity, CARICOM Member States understandably, are quite cynical about and resistant to this quest by the USA.

“This is one area that is worthy of further discussion and cooperation since developed countries such as the USA are much more competitive in this sector and the domestic providers such as those in the Caribbean Community are not ready for an open, market driven environment,” said Dr. Douglas, the region’s lead spokesman on education.

PM Douglas Speaks With Students
Photo By Erasmus Williams

Basseterre, Saint Kitts – Nevis
June 23, 2008 (CUOPM)

The CARICOM Community (CARICOM) is currently re-examining the scope and effectiveness of the overarching philosophy of “education for all.”

Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis, Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas at the Education Symposium of the New York Conference on the Caribbean felt the discussion could not be timelier.

St. Kitts and Nevis boasts of being the first Caribbean nation to introduce free secondary since 1965.

“In New York, it is clear that you are grappling with the reality of the principle of “˜no child left behind’ especially its implications for poor black and Latino children, among whom I am sure are some descendants from the Caribbean. In the CARICOM Community as in New York, educators and researchers are quizzical about the growing trend of male underperformance or under achievement and are sensitive to the need for corrective action that may have significant social consequences,” said Dr. Douglas.

He noted that for the Caribbean Community, there is the additional issue related to the migration of skilled and highly trained professionals and the discussions on how to tackle the ‘brain drain’ or ‘brain gain’ to the mutual benefit of both societies.

“While this panel focuses on collaboration among our higher educational institutions, it is critical to note that viable tertiary systems are highly dependent on the foundations laid during pre-school and kindergarten through to the elementary and high school levels,” said Dr. Douglas.

PM Douglas and Represenative Rangel
Photo By Erasmus Williams

Basseterre, Saint Kitts – Nevis
June 23, 2008(CUOPM)

St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas said a Memorandum of Understanding signed between the University of the West Indies (UWI) and the Medgar Evers College in New York would form the basis for moving forward after the Caribbean-New York Conference last week.

Speaking at the signing, Prime Minister Douglas, the Lead Head of Government for Education and Health matters in the CARICOM Quasi Cabinet, said the engagement on Thursday needed to arrive at some concrete elements of a plan for collaboration.

Among the priorities Dr. Douglas suggested that should arise from the Conference were greater collaboration in research and training through the establishment of CARICOM-New York Fellowships and a special Fund dedicated for exchange at the staff and student levels; a concerted effort to push the frontiers of knowledge by placing emphasis on areas of Research and Development, especially in areas such as tourism, transportation and climate change and establishing common areas of research and outreach that are particularly aimed at improving the quality of life of citizens in the Caribbean and New York in such areas that connect education to health, trade, culture and promote greater public awareness especially to reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS, prevention of NCDs advancing cultural industries and thereby capitalising on some of the assets of the Caribbean Diaspora.

Prime Minister Douglas also suggested the involvement of the private sector both in the CARICOM Community and New York to sponsor goodwill tours to enhance the understanding of groups and stakeholders that share common cultural and educational objectives; placing greater emphasis on promoting courses on Caribbean Studies and the American connections in the region’s Tertiary Learning Institutions (TLIs) and establishing a Charles Rangel Professorship to commemorate this momentous occasion in the annals of Caribbean-USA relations.

Ross University Employees Receive Degrees

Basseterre, St. Kitts – Nevis
June 17, 2008 (SKNIS)

Deputy Prime Minister Honourable Sam Condor has saluted nine local employees at Ross University for taking a courageous step forward in their efforts to fulfill the demands of a transforming economy in St. Kitts and Nevis.

Cyndie Demming, Charles Wentworth, Julienne Rawlins, Floyd Revan, Alison Stewart, Collin Williams received their Masters from DeVry University ““ which the locally based Ross University is affiliated with ““ in various areas, including human resource management, information systems, business management and accounting. Cheryl Cumberbatch, Avonelle Fahie and Iona Halliday-Simmonds earned Bachelor Degrees in information technology, health services management and technical management. Also receiving a Bachelors in Technical Management was Cyndie Demming.

“These nine celebrants have every reason to be happy, proud and hopeful and so do all of us [gathered here],” said Minister Condor, while he gave feature remarks at a graduation ceremony for the local students held last weekend at the Royal St. Kitts Hotel. “You are model citizens.”

The students were beneficiaries of the DeVry Tuition Benefit Programme, which offers employees at any affiliated institutions to pursue an online education free of cost. That benefit also extends to spouses and dependents.

UVI President Treats Nevisians To Lunch

The Caribbean Needs To Protect Its Educational Role

CARICOM Re-evaluates Caribbean Education Policy

Caribbean and New York University To Collaborate

University Employees Gain Skills To Transform Economy