Government of Barbados’ Post

MOU Signing Between Education Ministry & IAAR The memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Ministry of Education, Technological and Vocational Training and the Independent Agency for Accreditation and Rating (IAAR), Kazakhstan, is complete. Minister of State, in the Ministry, Sandra Husbands, signed the document on behalf of the Ministry and the Government of Barbados, while Director of IAAR, Dr. Alina Zhumagulova, signed on her country’s behalf. The MOU signing, which took place virtually on Wednesday, July 10, in the Conference Room of the Ministry’s Media Resource Department, confirms IAAR as an alternative accrediting body for education being offered in Barbados in medicine and other health professions. The IAAR, founded in 2011, is an international accreditation agency for the Quality Assurance of Education. It is a full member of European, Asian, and American Quality Assurance networks and organisations, being the first of its kind from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries, and is recognised by the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME). The signing is the culmination of the process which brings this MOU into effect; as the first virtual signing, conducted a few weeks ago, was the beginning of the process. Minister Husbands said she sees the collaboration as providing an opportunity for the Ministry to build its capacity to offer education internationally, while simultaneously being an integral part of this country’s economic thrust. “By signing this MOU today, we pledge to collaborate closely with one another to achieve our shared objectives, which is to pursue excellence in the provision of education. Accreditation in medicine and other health professions is paramount and represents a promising future,” she said. Before the signing, Dr. Zhumagulova stated that this initiative is important for the partnership between Barbados and Kazakhstan. In her closing remarks, Minister Husbands stated: “I do not doubt that the people of Barbados and Kazakhstan will be able to forge even closer ties as a result of our commitment to this process. Allow me to take this opportunity to assure you that the Ministry of Education, Technological and Vocational Training will do everything within our power to ensure the successful implementation of this MOU.” Source: https://lnkd.in/evD_YmmY

July 4, 2024 The Department of Emergency Management (DEM) in Barbados has introduced a Comprehensive Disaster Management (CDM) Policy (2022). This policy aims to enhance community resilience and preparedness for disasters and climate-related risks. It outlines seven priority areas for action and will guide the development of disaster management strategies in Barbados. To read the full policy please visit the Department of Emergency Management’s website at www.dem.gov.bb and the Barbados Government Information Service’s website at: www.gisbarbados.gov.bb. (Department of Emergency Management) #disasterpreparedness #resilience #CDMPolicy

Investing in Treasury Bills has now been made easier for individuals. As an individual investor, you can utilize a “non-competitive” window to secure an investment in Treasury Bills. Suppose you select the non-competitive window option on your Treasury Bills Application Form. In that case, all you need to do is indicate how much money you would like to invest, (minimum amount $1,000.00) and the duration, 91 or 182 days. That’s it! You’ll be eligible to receive your investment at a rate that is the weighted average of the successful competitive bidders.   T- Bills Application Form - https://lnkd.in/evXZy3V9 New Non-Competitive Window for Treasury Bill – Q&A - https://lnkd.in/ePNZ8djp Issuance Schedule 2024 -https://lnkd.in/eMbiw9Hb    The Treasury Bills Issuance Schedule for 2024 makes it easy for you to invest throughout the year. Just make sure that your application is in by the respective Closing Date.

Brit students here for cultural exchange A dozen students from London's SV Academy are here for a two-week cultural immersion programme, aimed at broadening their horizons through experiences with traditions including steel pan music. Now in its third year, the UK Department of Education-funded initiative focuses on students aged 14 to 16 who face challenges in mainstream education. This year marks the first collaboration with the National Peace Programme, championed by Minister of State in the Office of the Attorney General with responsibility for Crime Prevention, Corey Lane. At a meet-and-greet ceremony at the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment's Haggatt Hall offices, Lane emphasised the importance of youth involvement in addressing global issues. "There is a phenomenon that we are having across the Caribbean and the world, in relation to climate change, youth employment, crime and violence, and the absence of the youth voice spells a disaster," he said. He encouraged the visiting students to engage actively with their Barbadian peers, including members of the Barbados Youth Parliament, to share ideas and cultures. Orlando Clement, Principal of SV Academy, explained that the school works with young people with dyslexia or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, who have difficulties in mainstream settings, or those at risk of being drawn into gangs and drugs. Sonia Ramanah, the academy's director and safeguarding officer, outlined the programme's focus: "We raise aspirations for all young people and inspire them predominantly through music and media. Every year, we put together a special programme which we call Music Bridges Culture, which brings together young people from London and young people from the Caribbean." The students' itinerary includes workshops with the National Peace Programme, visits to schools and youth groups, and cultural excursions such as a trip to the Oistins Fish Fry and a tour of the island. Collaboration with the island's institutions has been key to the programme's success. "This year, we've been working with St Leonard's Boys School, and they're amazing. Our students go there, and pretty much become students. They're learning how to play the steel pan, how to cook Bajan cuisine," Clement noted. "These are all amazing things that they would never have an opportunity to do in the UK, and a lot of them are saying to me that they don't want to go back. So we're going to have a problem when we get to the airport," the principal added. As the programme continues to evolve, organisers hope to reciprocate by hosting Barbadian students in the UK in the future, further strengthening cultural ties between the two nations. (SM) Source: Barbados Today