(EMU) – St. Kitts, January 25, 2017:) Candidate in the Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College’s (CFBC) Presidential search Dr. Jacqueline Austin visited the Federation this week as part of a sensitization mission conducted by the CFBC and Ministry of Education in an effort to select the most suitable candidate.
Dr. Austin who holds a Master’s degree in Training and Resource Management from the University of Leicester is also a graduate of the University of the West Indies (UWI) Cave Hill Campus and holds a Doctoral degree from the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom as well. Dr. Austin who hails from Barbados explored the question as to how we are preparing our human resource for the 21st century in her doctoral dissertation.
“We need to look at our Technical and Vocational Education and Training systems as well as our systems of Education generally. We need to assess our skills formation systems to see whether we are truly preparing our people for the work force,” Dr. Austin told permanent secretary in the Ministry of Education, Mr. William Hodge as she met with him in person on Monday January 23.
Dr Austin shared a three-tiered vision for the development of the CFBC programme which focussed on advancement in the local; regional and international markets.
According to Dr. Austin, “At the national level we realize that education makes a contribution to the economy and gross domestic product and is therefore an investment in future generations.” She said that in order to be successful in this area we must preserve our social morals and the values we hold dear as a nation.”
On the regional level the CFBC presidential candidate stated that readiness for the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) must be the focus .Therefore the youth are to be prepared to be competitive in the region.
Finally, Dr. Austin stated that on the International level CFBC students must be aware of the opportunities available globally. “They must see themselves as suitably qualified to impact that issues that the world faces in term She applauded the Ministry of Education for the high level of Technology being utilized at the college and commented that it was in line with her vision of them travelling abroad to participate in events such as World Skills in Germany and other such major events.
Permanent Secretary Mr. William Hodge said he was pleased to welcome Dr. Austin and applauded her vision for the CFBC. He commended the CFBC Board lead by its Governor Rev. Damien Hughes as well as officials of the Ministry of Education who have been actively and thoroughly pursuing the options with regards to filling the post of president appropriately.
Minister of Education Hon. Shawn Richards and Permanent Secretary William Hodge will meet with the second candidate Dr. Linda Carty on Friday January 27.
Both candidates have undergone a series of interviews.
