Barbadians seeking financing for post-secondary studies at local, regional and international institutions as well as for online purposes, may still access the Student Revolving Loan Fund’s (SRLF) online application portal.
The portal www.srlfloan.edu.bb is open with some new information including changes in the lending policies of the SRLF.
Interested persons are advised to apply as early as possible to allow for timely processing of their applications. All required documentation must be submitted in order for applications to be considered. However, the SRLF has advised that this does not apply to acceptance letters which can be brought in once received from the institution.
Deadlines for the submission of completed applications are as follows: International and online studies – Monday, May 15; regional studies – Friday, June 30 and local studies by Monday, July 31.
For further information individuals may visit www.srlfloan.edu.bb .
All applications must be done online.
SRLF-Student Revolving Loan Fund online application still open
Barbados: Training Division to host E-Day
The Training Administration Division will host an E-Day on Monday, April 24 to launch a number of digital products including an e-learning app, a mobile app, and its enhanced website.
E-Day, the event, which is part of its 50th anniversary celebrations, will also feature a showcase depicting the progress of the Division from its establishment in 1967 to today date.
Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, Senator Darcy Boyce, will be the featured speaker at the opening ceremony which takes place at the Hilton Barbados Resort.
According to Senior Executive Officer at the Division, James Parris, the decision to transition from a paper-centric organisation to a digital one is in response to the need to widen the Division’s reach in respect of the number of public officers it is able to train annually.
“Going in this direction would allow us to improve our communication of what courses we have on offer through the use of our website and mobile application, and to increase the number of public officers who have access to our courses through our e-learning offerings,” he stated.
During this financial year, the Division will be piloting a number of courses in order to test its products. Courses will be officially offered online from April next year.
Mr. Parris made it clear that the introduction of online training did not mean that face-to-face classes would end “but rather that we would be able to offer greater flexibility to those who are unable to attend face-to-face classes, for whatever reason,” he explained.
The Division trains about 1,200 public officers annually. The number of courses offered each year is not fixed but during the financial year 2015 – 2016, 1266 public officers participated in 50 courses.
CDB to discuss regional productivity, tourism industry reform
CDB to discuss regional productivity, tourism industry reform at 47th Annual Meeting.
The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) will release two major studies to support the Region’s economic growth agenda at the 47th Annual Meeting of its Board of Governors. The flagship event will be held in the Turks and Caicos Islands from May 24-25, 2017.
“The studies will analyse two issues that are key to advancing economic growth in the Caribbean –regional productivity and tourism industry reform. The findings of this research will provide countries in the Region with insights, data and information that could guide policymaking and action to facilitate sustainable growth,” said Dr. Justin Ram, Director of Economics, CDB.
One study is entitled, “Enhancing Productivity and Growth in the Caribbean”. It will seek to identify the causes of low productivity and growth in the Region, and put forward recommendations for initiatives that could reverse this trend. Findings will be discussed at a seminar on May 24 during the Annual Meeting. Panellists from the public and private sectors will discuss policy initiatives that could substantially strengthen regional growth performance over the medium to long term.
Panellists include Dr. Timothy Antoine, Governor, Eastern Caribbean Central Bank; Nigel Baptiste, Managing Director of Republic Bank, Trinidad and Tobago; Jennifer Dotson-Isaacs, President, Caribbean Congress of Labour; the Honourable Gillmore Andre Hoefdraad, Minister of Finance, Government of Suriname; and Dr. Justin Ram.
Findings from the second study, “Tourism Industry Reform, Strategies for Enhanced Economic Impact”, will be presented during a seminar on May 25. Panellists will explore policy measures that could enhance resilience and increase the growth and development impact of tourism.
Honourable Edmund Bartlett, Minister of Tourism, Government of Jamaica; Stacy Cox, Executive Director, Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association; Hugh Riley, Secretary General and Chief Executive Officer, Caribbean Tourism Organisation; and Dr. Amos Peters, Economist, CDB will participate in the panel.
Angel Investor forum to be held in Jamaica
The Caribbean’s first Angel Investor forum to be held in Montego Bay, Jamaica.
LINK-Caribbean will host the region’s first Caribbean Angel Investor Forum in Montego Bay, Jamaica on May 11-12, 2017.
Under the theme ‘Growing Angel Investing in the Caribbean’ the Caribbean Angel Investor Forum, an invitation-only event, will attract high-net-worth individuals from across the region and internationally. The Forum is among several activities of the USD 1.6 million LINK-Caribbean program, aimed at promoting the development of an organized angel investment ecosystem within the Caribbean.
Implemented by the Caribbean Export Development Agency, LINK-Caribbean is an initiative of the World Bank Group’s Entrepreneurship Program for Innovation in the Caribbean (EPIC), a seven-year, CAD 20 million program funded by the government of Canada that seeks to build a supportive ecosystem for high-growth and sustainable enterprises throughout the Caribbean.
“As a first of its kind in the Region, the Caribbean Angel Investor Forum represents our commitment to the development of an active angel investment ecosystem that translates into an alternative stream of capital for our private sector,” said Pamela Coke-Hamilton, Executive Director of the Caribbean Export Development Agency.
Over the past few years the World Bank Group has been investing in improving the angel investment prospects within the region through technical assistance and coaching for both entrepreneurs and investors.
During this period, the region has seen the emergence of five angel investor groups, including First Angels Jamaica and Alpha Angels in Jamaica, Trident Angels in Barbados, and IP Angels and Renaissance Angels in Trinidad & Tobago. These angel groups have held private meetings to review companies and have made investments ranging from USD 50,000 – 200,000 in at least 6 companies. The Caribbean Angel Investor Forum will provide a platform for these angels to come together as a community to share best practices and knowledge; network; and uncover new investment opportunities.
Ensuring A Pressure-Free 11 Plus Exam – BSSEE
With just under a week to go before children write the Barbados Secondary Schools’ Entrance Examination (BSSEE), Deputy Education Officer responsible for schools, Joy Adamson, is issuing some important advice to parents and guardians to help minimise stress before, during and after the May 2 exam.
Also, with the exam coming after a Bank Holiday, Mrs. Adamson is urging parents to make May 1 a day of relaxation without studying or cramming.
“Allow children to have a relaxing day. Make sure to get them to bed early and get a good night’s sleep. This is not a day to remind them of that ‘Big Day’ tomorrow. This is a day to encourage them and to say that you will be proud of them wherever they are assigned. Be positive,” she advised.
To truly ensure that students get an early start, it is recommended that their uniforms be prepared in advance and erasers and sharpened pencils are secured in pencil cases the night before.
The BSSEE, familiarly known as the 11 Plus or Common Entrance Examination, starts at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 2, and parents are reminded that after the child awakens there should be no thought of changing the breakfast menu.
The Deputy Chief, who deemed it unwise for children to be given food that they are unaccustomed to on examination day, said: “After that good night’s rest, they should be given a well-balanced breakfast – maybe a fruit, cereal, some protein, juice, tea, nothing too heavy or unfamiliar.”
Even where there will be breaks between papers to allow children to go to the bathroom or have a snack, parents are encouraged to only give light snacks, such as a sandwich or some water.
Furthermore, they are discouraged from congregating on the premises with what the official calls “a picnic basket”, as witnessed in the past at centres. “The heavy meal can follow after the exam, when they have their lunch,” Mrs. Adamson stated, alluding to the potential for this to make children lethargic.
With respect to arrival time, parents and guardians are advised to have their charges at the venue by 8:30 a.m. While noting that some schools may suggest different times to arrive, she recommended the earlier the better to put children at ease, “so they can relax and not be anxious from rushing”.
This notwithstanding, the Ministry official is urging parents to simply drop them off and leave the area and not congregate in the environs. “[Parents] should not be disturbing in their behaviours or their appearance,” she warned, acknowledging that the Royal Barbados Police Force would be on site at all the centres to ensure that everything runs smoothly.
For those anxious moments parents are expected to have after the exam and as they await the results, Mrs. Adamson has advised against bombarding the Education Ministry unnecessarily.
She stressed: “It normally takes between three to four weeks for the exam to be corrected and the marks issued…. As soon as the results arrive at the Ministry we will release them to the respective schools.”
Concluding by wishing all students success in their endeavours, the Deputy Chief Education Officer said: “Do your best and you will be rewarded…. Remember it is not the school that you attend that makes you successful; it is what you do when you get there. Let your hard work propel you to speed so fast that good luck has no choice but to make you a winner.”
The BSSEE will be held at the 22 public secondary schools across the island.
Climate Fest comes to Grenada
OECS to host Environmental Exhibit and Fair from April 25th.
The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), in collaboration with the Ministries of Environment and Education in Grenada, will be hosting Climate Fest, an Environmental Exhibition and Fair from April 25th 2017 at the Radisson Hotel, Grenada. The Fest is open to the public and seeks to raise awareness on the need for adaptation and mitigation programs to combat climate change.
Exhibitions will be presented in a ‘green atmosphere’ with vibrant displays and simulated gardens to embody the theme of climate change and sustainable development.
The official opening ceremony for the Exhibition will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday April 26th 2017. Exhibition displays will end on Thursday, April 27th 2017.
The 2017 Climate Fest in Grenada follows a successful Climate Fest held in Dominica in 2016.
The event is being held to coincide with the fourth meeting of the Council of Ministers of Environmental Sustainability, which is scheduled to take place on April 27-28th 2017 at the Radisson Hotel, Grenada.
OECS hosts dialogue with the Green Climate Fund – GCF
OECS Commission hosts first sub-regional dialogue in the Eastern Caribbean with the Green Climate Fund – GCF.
The OECS Commission, in partnership with the Governments of Grenada and Antigua and Barbuda, and the Green Climate Fund (GCF) will host the first Sub-regional Structured Dialogue in the Eastern Caribbean in Grenada from April 24-26, 2017 under the theme “Accelerating Direct Access to Climate Finance in the Eastern Caribbean.”
The overall objective of the meeting is to accelerate the Eastern Caribbean’s direct access to the GCF funding, in the context of the recently-adopted GCF Strategic Plan and GCF Board decisions that provide support for the development of concrete funding proposals and projects, as well as for readiness support and dedicated funding for National Adaptation Planning.
The dialogue is expected to produce concrete outcomes and recommendations that will contribute to the sustainable development of the sub-region and the wellbeing of its citizens.
An exhibition on Climate Resilient Initiatives will also run parallel to the meeting, starting from Tuesday April 25th 2017, which is open to schools and the general public
82% Reduction in Number of Jamaicans Denied Entry into T&T
82% Reduction in Number of Jamaicans Denied Entry into T&T.
Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade has revealed that there has been an 82% reduction in the number of Jamaicans denied entry to Trinidad and Tobago over the last year.
At a press briefing this morning (Thursday, April 20) at the Ministry’s headquarters, Senator Johnson Smith also revealed that since the start of the year there has been only one formal report of a Jamaican national who was denied entry.
The matter has been brought to the attention of the Trinidadian authorities for the necessary investigation.
“We are committed to doing our part to continue this encouraging development. To this end, the Ministry has intensified its public outreach activities to sensitize the Jamaican public on travel within CARICOM countries whether for work or pleasure, while working closely with the Government in Trinidad & Tobago,” said Minister Johnson Smith.
“We wish to assure Jamaicans that we are consistent and emphatic in raising our concerns about these matters within CARICOM, including other issues related to implementation of the CSME,” added the Minister.
She reassured Jamaicans that the Trinidadian authorities have been meeting their commitments in terms of training immigration personnel and providing a comfortable facility for Jamaicans who have been denied entry.
Commonwealth Secretary-General to visit Lesotho
Secretary-General Patricia Scotland will meet with political leaders in Lesotho to reaffirm the Commonwealth’s support to the country ahead of general elections on 3 June.
Her visit from 24 -27 April is part of the Commonwealth’s long-standing engagement with Lesotho. Assistance to the country has included support with the development of Lesotho’s parliamentary governance, observation of elections, and the follow up of observer group recommendations to strengthen democracy and improve electoral processes.
This is the second time a coalition government in Lesotho has collapsed since the 2012 elections. The last coalition fell on 1 March after a no confidence vote. Secretary-General Scotland said: “My aim is to determine how the Commonwealth can support the peace-building agenda and assist the country to implement reforms and recommendations from observers and envoys. There is good practice in effective coalition governance throughout the Commonwealth that we can draw upon.”
During the mission, Secretary-General Scotland will explore how the Commonwealth can work with the Southern African Development Community, other development partners, faith-based organisations and other NGOs to promote peaceful elections and implementation of reforms. “This is a critical time for Lesotho as it prepares for elections. It is important that we reassure the country of our firm commitment to continue supporting its democracy and development,” she said.
The Secretary-General’s engagement is in line with the 2017 Commonwealth theme ‘A peace-building Commonwealth’.
She said, “Our theme this year is about building democratic institutions, holding credible elections, upholding human rights and promoting good governance. I firmly believe that, while politicians, government agencies and development organisations play a critical role in achieving and maintaining peaceful societies, every citizen is a stakeholder in the peace-building process. This is the message that I hope will come across loud and clear during my visit to the Kingdom of Lesotho.”
Immediately after her mission to Lesotho, the Secretary-General will travel to Malawi for a meeting with the President and officials in Lilongwe.
Grenada PM meets with World Bank President
Grenada’s Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell met with the President of the World Bank, Mr. Jim Yong Kim during the annual World Bank and International Monetary Fund Spring meetings in DC on April 19.
The Grenadian leader also thanked the Bank for providing institutional support to the Small Sates by walking the talk and advancing an agenda that can make a tremendous difference in addressing the challenges that small states face, including climate change impacts, high levels of indebtedness and high fossil fuel prices.
Prime Minister Mitchell highlighted the increased access to predictable and affordable Public Sector Finance with the 50% increase in IDA from $50 billion to $75billion which is a major opportunity for those small states that are eligible for IDA, such as Grenada.
Dr. Mitchell proposed that the IDA for Small States be front-loaded and fast tracked with the money not being used for business as usual projects but for strategic transformative projects that can crowd-in private sector finance and investment.
The Prime Minister also pointed out that not all states are eligible for IDA and that the objective should be that by October 2018, vulnerability must be mainstreamed into the lending operations of at least one multilateral development bank.
PM indicated that additionally his vision for the Small States Forum includes a $1 billion Catalytic Fund of Funds for PPP projects for small and vulnerable states that can spur economic transformation and resilience – making the Small States Forum a platform for coordination, partnerships, financing, implementation, innovative solutions through triangular cooperation.
President Kim responded by saying that as a personal matter “he owes one” to the Prime Minister for him being President of the World Bank.
He was very receptive to Prime Minister’s vision for the Small States Forum and said that the Platform was a great idea. He committed to moving quickly on the suggestions put forward on fast tracking and front-loading the IDA, financing PPP projects and increasing private sector investment in Small States.
He also committed to continuing support to Grenada and the debt for nature swap, and the financing support for climate change and solar and wind energy.
