Beautiful Virgin Islands

Tuesday, Jun 03, 2025

BVI government signs agreement to promote academic relations

BVI government signs agreement to promote academic relations

In a Government Information Services release, The Government of the Virgin Islands has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to promote cooperation and positive academic relations with the University of Hertfordshire in the United Kingdom (UK).
The MoU presents a wide range of opportunities for exchanges and collaboration in higher education between the Virgin Islands and the University of Hertfordshire. These include student, faculty and staff exchanges, supported distance learning programmes and collaboration on joint research projects between the University of Hertfordshire and the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College in the Virgin Islands.

The agreement with the university came about as a result the wider partnership between the Virgin Islands and Hertfordshire County in the UK. Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie while speaking on the relationship stated that the relationship began with the exchange between sports officials in the lead up to the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Premier Fahier said subsequently, ahead of the London 2012 Olympic Games, several BVI Olympic athletes were hosted by a group of kind families in the Hertfordshire village of Aston during their training period. And since then, the relationship has blossomed.

“A group of Hertfordshire education officials visited the Territory in 2014 to deliver training to newly qualified teachers and complete work in early childhood education,” the Premier said. He added, “We have also had a BVI environmental and fisheries officer visit with colleagues in Hertfordshire to discuss environmental management; and on the BVI side, we have been pleased to host a number of Hertfordshire County graduate management trainees at our BVI London Office for their familiarisation days.”

Deputy Premier and Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture, Dr. the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley stated that the partnership will benefit the Territory tremendously and complement the existing tertiary programmes on offer at the HLSCC.

“Teacher training, special needs education, agriculture and tourism are priority areas that come to mind. I also see this partnership as a great opportunity for research in areas of mutual interest,” Honourable Wheatley said.

President of the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC), Dr. Richard Georges reiterated the benefits of the partnership and the importance of collaboration adding that he was pleased to see the signing of the agreement between the Government and the University of Hertfordshire.

Dr. Georges said, “It provides a framework by which the college can engage in fruitful partnership in key priority areas as well as opportunities for students, faculty, and even staff exchange. The world is ever shrinking and it is important for us to embrace the spirit of collaboration and partnership to face the challenges of the future.”

The MoU between the Virgin Islands and Hertfordshire County was signed in November 2011 and is approaching its 10-year anniversary. The twinning partnership allows for collaboration in areas of mutual interest including sports, education, higher education opportunities, community engagement, supporting those with physical disabilities, developing community link, youth behavioural interventions, economic development and graduate work experience exchanges. The BVI London Office acts as point of liaison for the partnership in the UK.

Also present at the signing were University of Hertfordshire Vice Chancellor, Professor Quintin Mckellar CBE; Pro Vice Chancellor for Business and International Development Professor, Julie Newlan; Permanent Secretary Premier’s Office, Dr. Carolyn O’Neal-Morton; Permanent Secretary MCECYFA, Mrs. Carolyn Stoutt Igwe; Acting Director BVI London Office, Ms. Tracy Bradshaw; Deputy Director BVI London Office, Ms. Siobhan Flax and other officials.

The Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture is thankful for the partnership and will continue to provide opportunities for the professional and educational advancement of the people of the Virgin Islands.
Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
China Accuses US of Violating Trade Truce
Panama Port Owner Balances US-China Pressures
France Implements Nationwide Outdoor Smoking Ban to Protect Children
German Chancellor Merz Keeps Putin Guessing on Missile Strategy
Mandelson Criticizes UK's 'Fetish' for Abandoning EU Regulations
British Fishing Boat Owner Fined €30,000 by French Authorities
Dutch government falls as far-right leader Wilders quits coalition
Harvard Urges US to Unfreeze Funds for Public Health Research
Businessman Mauled by Lion at Luxury Namibian Lodge
Researchers Consider New Destinations Beyond the U.S.
53-Year-Old Doctor Claims Biological Age of 23
Trump Struggles to Secure Trade Deals With China and Europe
Russia to Return 6,000 Corpses Under Ukraine Prisoner Swap Deal
Microsoft Lays Off Hundreds More Amid Restructuring
Harvey Weinstein’s Publicist Embraces Notoriety
Macron and Meloni Seek Unity Despite Tensions
Trump Administration Accused of Obstructing Deportation Cases
Newark Mayor Sues Over Arrest at Immigration Facility
Center-Left Candidate Projected to Win South Korean Presidency
Trump’s Tariffs Predicted to Stall Global Economic Growth
South Korea’s President-Elect Expected to Take Softer Line on Trump and North Korea
Trump’s China Strategy Remains a Geopolitical Puzzle
Ukraine Executes Long-Range Drone Strikes on Russian Airbases
Conservative Karol Nawrocki wins Poland’s presidential election
Study Identifies Potential Radicalization Risk Among Over One Million Muslims in Germany
Good news: Annalena Baerbock Elected President of the UN General Assembly
Apple Appeals EU Law Over User Data Sharing Requirements
South Africa: "First Black Bank" Collapses after Being Looted by Owners
Poland will now withdraw from the EU migration pact after pro-Trump nationalist wins Election
"That's Disgusting, Don’t Say It Again": The Trump Joke That Made the President Boil
Trump Cancels NASA Nominee Over Democratic Donations
Paris Saint-Germain's Greatest Triumph Is Football’s Lowest Point
OnlyFans for Sale: From Lockdown Lifeline to Eight-Billion-Dollar Empire
Mayor’s Security Officer Implicated | Shocking New Details Emerge in NYC Kidnapping Case
Hegseth Warns of Potential Chinese Military Action Against Taiwan
OPEC+ Agrees to Increase Oil Output for Third Consecutive Month
Jamie Dimon Warns U.S. Bond Market Faces Pressure from Rising Debt
Turkey Detains Istanbul Officials Amid Anti-Corruption Crackdown
Taylor Swift Gains Ownership of Her First Six Albums
Bangkok Ranked World's Top City for Remote Work in 2025
Satirical Sketch Sparks Political Spouse Feud in South Korea
Indonesia Quarry Collapse Leaves Multiple Dead and Missing
South Korean Election Video Pulled Amid Misogyny Outcry
Asian Economies Shift Away from US Dollar Amid Trade Tensions
Netflix Investigates Allegations of On-Set Mistreatment in K-Drama Production
US Defence Chief Reaffirms Strong Ties with Singapore Amid Regional Tensions
Vietnam Faces Strategic Dilemma Over China's Mekong River Projects
Malaysia's First AI Preacher Sparks Debate on Islamic Principles
White House Press Secretary Criticizes Harvard Funding, Advocates for Vocational Training
France to Implement Nationwide Smoking Ban in Outdoor Spaces Frequented by Children
×