Canada has agreed to help Caribbean youth to gain greater access to post-secondary education through a distance learning partnership with the University of the West Indies (UWI).
Minister of State of Foreign Affairs (Americas and Consular Affairs) Diane Ablonczy, who is on a seven-day, seven-country tour of the Eastern Caribbean on Wednesday made this announcement in Antigua at UWI’s Open Campus, on behalf of Julian Fantino, Minister of International Cooperation, a press release said. The ‘Strengthening Distance Education in the Caribbean’ project will be implemented mainly by UWI’s Open Campus.
According to a press release, the project aims to increase employment opportunities of Caribbean citizens and generate economic prosperity. UWI serves 16 Caribbean countries and territories. Further, advances in communication technologies have helped to expand access to post-secondary education, reduce costs in learning resources, and reach learners in remote and rural communities, the release said. The project will help to increase access to tertiary education for remote and under-served communities at up to 42 learning sites across the Region using distance education technologies.
“Helping the region’s young people develop the high-level skills needed to contribute to the work force is a key step toward reaching those goals,” Ablonczy said. The objective of Canada’s engagement in the Americas is to work with partners to advance three goals: to increase economic opportunity, strengthen security and institutions, and foster lasting relationships.
According to Fantino, the project will support economic growth and increased employment through the development of human capital. “By integrating higher education into the Caribbean, Canada is enhancing the ability of Caribbean countries to address the economic and labour market challenges they face, ultimately helping to lift millions of people out of poverty,” he said.
According to the press release, Canada is a leader in promoting economic opportunity in the Americas, and Economic Action Plan 2013 affirms its commitment to international development investments such as access to education for children and youth. The new Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development will maintain the mandate of poverty alleviation, and help the Government of Canada achieve greater efficiency, accountability and focus to continue to improve the lives of people in need around the world.
