MINISTER of Education Fayval Williams will today address and officially open the International Education Symposium being co-hosted by The Mico University College and MOSA (the Mico University College Alumni Association) at Jamaica Pegasus hotel.

The theme of the symposium is ‘Global Challenges – institutional and international responses’, and the keynote speaker will be pro vice-chancellor of The University of the West Indies, Dr Densil Williams.

The two-day symposium, which will be held both face to face and virtually, aims to provide a platform for the in-depth examination and analysis of challenges such as the effects of the novel coronavirus pandemic on education in the local, regional and global space. The goals include identification of best practices in responses, and the sharing of knowledge, responses and approaches among educators.

The Mico University College, the oldest teacher training institution in the Western Hemisphere, is respected for its thought leadership in education and pedagogy, and the expectation is that participants will leave the International Education Symposium with greater insight into best practices and strategies to maximise the delivery of education in an ever-evolving local and global landscape.

On Thursday, guest speaker, director general of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Dr Didacus Jules will address the theme ‘Education Transformation — New Paradigm for Education and Training’. This will be followed by a panel discussion featuring local and international educators including Dr Jari Lavonen, University of Helsinki, Finland; Dr Liu Woon Chia, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore; Dr Dorinda Carter Andrews, Michigan State University, USA; and Dr Samantha Twiselton, Sheffield Hallam University, UK.

The second session will be addressed by Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett, focusing on ‘The Technological Impact on the Economy and the Strategies for Sustainability & Resilience’ and will feature a panel discussion with industry experts who have tremendous expertise in banking, manufacturing, and technology. Panellists will include Floyd Green, minister without portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister, and Audrey Tugwell-Henry, president & CEO, Scotia Group.

Immediate past president of MOSA and co-chair of the symposium, Dr Merrit Henry says she anticipates robust and insightful discussion, adding that the knowledge-sharing will benefit participants regardless of the country or region in which they operate.

“It is critically important that we move towards developing strategies for the continued development and utilisation of human resources for the dynamic 21st century world of work”, she stated.

Several local academic institutions have already registered team members and there is growing interest among regional and international educators and education administrators.

To register for the conference go to https://iteneri.com/micomosa or email mosaalumni@gmail.com