Members of the Government of Canada Trade Commissioner Service recently made a courtesy call on Interim President of the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI), Dr. Linda A. Davis. Shown from left to right are BTVI’s Dean of Student Affairs, Racquel Bethel; High Commission of Canada (Jamaica), Counsellor (Commercial) and Senior Trade Commissioner, Sophie Goulet; BTVI’s Interim President, Dr. Davis; High Commission of Canada (Jamaica), Trade Commissioner/Senior Business Development, Yasmin M. Chong and BTVI’s Information Technology, Head of Department, Kevin McCartney.
Photo: BTVI
The Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI) is seeking to build connections particularly with technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions that align with the Institute’s mission of applied learning.
To this end, BTVI’s Interim President, Dr. Linda A. Davis and BTVI’s Dean of Student Affairs, Racquel Bethel, met with High Commission of Canada (Jamaica), Trade Commissioner/Senior Business Development, Yasmin M. Chong and Counsellor (Commercial) and Senior Trade Commissioner, Sophie Goulet.
Dr. Davis expressed optimism about strengthening the partnership with the Canadian government.
“Our institution prides itself on application. We teach students how to do and not to theorize about doing. We certainly are excited about new possibilities of this partnership and renewing previous memoranda forged under this arrangement,” said Dr. Davis.
Dr. Davis said that by extension, this would aid in the country’s national development, by exposing students and instructors alike to emerging technologies and innovations while bridging the skills gap.
Since 2010, over 30 BTVI students have been sent to colleges abroad on the Emerging Leaders in the Americas Program (ELAP). The scholarships, granted by the Canadian Government, provide Latin America and Caribbean students with short-term exchange opportunities at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The last time BTVI students participated in the exchange programme was in spring 2020. Students are required to return to BTVI to complete their studies following the exchange.
Meanwhile, Ms. Chong noted that Canadian institutions are very interested in forging and strengthening such relations.
“Outside of the academic partnership, we hope to strengthen our capacity building and technical research opportunities,” she said.