Archive for the ‘Education’ Category

Seven Canadian Trailblazers To Be Honored at the 15th Annual University of West Indies Toronto Benefit Awards

The fundraiser supports scholarships for Caribbean Students studying at UWI

For Immediate Release

CARIBPR WIRE, Toronto, ON, March 7, 2024 (Toronto, ON) – The 15th Annual University of West Indies (UWI) Toronto Benefit Awards celebrates the 2024 Honorees of its fundraiser in support of scholarships for Caribbean students on Saturday April 20th, 2024 at the prestigious Ritz-Carlton Hotel, 181 Wellington Street, Toronto at 5:30pm EST. The sold-out gala affair is hosted by The University of the West Indies (UWI), top ranked among the world’s best universities, with Scotiabank as Lead Sponsor for the 15th consecutive year.

“The UWI Toronto Benefit Awards has provided 850 scholarships and bursaries to Caribbean students over the years” exclaimed Elizabeth Buchanan-Hind, Executive Director of University’s Institutional Advancement Division. “We know that education is the pathway to success as is evident with those who graduated and have gone onto great careers because they were able to attend The University of West Indies and get a world class education.”

Primary sponsors for this year’s event include Dr. Donette Chin-Loy Chang, Sprott Inc., The Hibbert Family Foundation, and BDO.

Under this year’s theme, Lighting the Way Together, this not-to-be missed night on the Toronto social calendar cultivates a high-profile guest list of corporate executives, public personalities and  community members committed to giving back to the Caribbean diaspora.

The distinguished 2024 Honourees are:

●     Luminary Award: The Honourable Mr. Justice Hugh L. Fraser, O.C., FCIArb., CollArb, OLY - Mediator, Arbitrator and Human Rights Activist

●     G. Raymond Chang Award: Mr. Raj Kothari, FCPA, FCA, MBA – Business Leader and Humanitarian

●     Chancellor’s Award: Air Canada - Global Organization serving the Caribbean

●     Vice Chancellor’s Award: Dr. Pamela Appelt, OD - Court of Canadian Citizenship Justice (Ret.), Humanitarian; Mr. Stanley J. Julien - Head, Special Accounts Management Unit – Canada, BMO Bank of Montreal, Business and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Leader; Mr. Deland Kamanga, CFA - Group Head, BMO Wealth Management, Financial Specialist and Philanthropist; Dr. Claudette McGowan – Chief Executive Officer, Protexxa, Global Cybersecurity Leader and Human Rights Activist, Business Leader and Philanthropist

The Patrons of the UWI Toronto Benefit Awards are Dr. Donette Chin-Loy Chang, Mr. Andrew Chang, Ms. Brigette Chang, and joining them this year are Mr. Kevin Hibbert and Mrs. Ann-Marie Hibbert, both passionate supporters of higher education and the UWI Student Scholarship Fund. Mr. Hibbert was a recipient of the 2023 Vice Chancellor’s Award.

Lighting the Way Together demonstrates how together, community donations, financial support and inspiration provides a lifeline to students eager to fulfill their educational dreams.

Media Availability: 6:00pm – 6:30pm – 4th Floor (Honourees, Patrons and select VIPs)

MEDIA ACCREDITATION HERE

Honouree Headshots

Red Carpet Cocktail Hour – 5:30pm – 7:00pm – 2nd Floor

Dinner, Awards Program, Entertainment – 7:00pm – 10:00pm – 2nd Floor

Air Canada Lyme (After Party) – 10:00pm – Midnight


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OAS and Structuralia launch 2,000 grants to study for international online master’s degrees, who can apply?

Find out all the deadlines and requirements to apply here.

MADRIDFeb. 7, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Structuralia, a leading school in online education specialized in STEM areas, is pleased to announce for the fourteenth consecutive year the strategic collaboration with the Organization of American States (OAS) for the delivery of  2,000 grants for online master’s degrees.

These grants, which cover 50% of the program’s tuition cost, represent a joint effort to foster professional development on a regional and international level, paving the way to successful careers.

This initiative, with a track record of 14 years, provides a unique opportunity to advance professional development, allowing Latin American professionals and students to access high-quality education. The main objective of the grant program is to expand knowledge and skills in crucial areas such as civil engineering, energy, environment, construction, management and digital transformation.

With a widely diversified offer of specialized academic programs, the grants also facilitate a study opportunity with UCAM (Catholic University of Murcia), which will allow students to obtain a double degree; the proper degree from a university in Europe, and another from Structuralia. In addition, complementary benefits have been established to promote access to academic excellence, specifically aimed at women and young people between 20 and 30 years old.

The beneficiary selection process is carried out exhaustively, considering the ideal profile for the selected master’s degree, compliance with the requirements (residence in an OAS member state and presentation of a letter of motivation) and the sending of the necessary documentation along with the application (copy of identity document, CV/Resume and university degree).

The application period for these postgraduate grants will extend until March 8, 2024. Those interested can obtain detailed information about the process and programs on the official website: oasscholarships.structuralia.com.

Structuralia and OAS reaffirm their joint commitment to foster access to quality education and promote professional development in the region. This collaboration will continue to strengthen the ties between both organizations, working together to build a stronger and more qualified future for Latin American professionals.

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QS Latin America & Caribbean Ranking 2024

Latin America & Caribbean’s top universities revealed

LONDON, Sept. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — QS Quacquarelli Symonds, global higher education analyst, has released the thirteenth annual list of Latin America & The Caribbean’s best universities. Evaluating the region’s institutions based on academic and employer recognition, research output, resources and internationalisation, the final table lists 430 institutions across 25 locations.

QS Quacquarelli Symonds Logo

Universidade de São Paulo takes the top spot, usurping Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile which comes second while Brazil’s Universidade Estadual de Campinas places third. Brazil is the most represented higher education system, with 97 listed universities, followed by Mexico with 63 and Colombia with 61.

Overview

  • Argentina: 14/43 universities drop, 12 rise, 17 remain static. Universidad de Buenos Aires (9th) is national leader
  • Bolivia’s Universidad Mayor de San Andrés (135th) ranks seventh for Citations per Paper
  • Brazil leads in PhD-trained faculty and research volume
  • Chile is most well-renowned country among international academics
  • Colombia boasts the most top-50 universities for Employer Reputation
  • Costa Rica’s national leader, Universidad de Costa Rica, places 20th
  • Cuba enjoys exceptionally high teaching capacity
  • Dominican Republic excels in research impact
  • Ecuador: 82% of universities improve for Citations per Paper
  • Mexico: Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México is the region’s most well-renowned university among academics
  • Panama ranks for seven universities. Universidad Tecnológica de Panamá (130th) is national leader
  • Peru is most improved overall – 33% of universities climb, 8% drop
  • All Uruguay’s institutions place among the top 100
  • Venezuela: 4/9 universities are among the region’s top-100, two are in the top-50

Latin America & Caribbean 2024: Top-20

2024

2023

Institution

Location

1

2

Universidade de São Paulo

Brazil

2

1

Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile

Chile

3

5

Universidade Estadual de Campinas

Brazil

4

4

Tecnológico de Monterrey

Mexico

5

3

Universidad de Chile

Chile

6

6

Universidad de los Andes

Colombia

7

7

Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México

Mexico

8

8

Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro

Brazil

9

9

Universidad de Buenos Aires

Argentina

10

11

UNESP

Brazil

11

12

Universidad de Concepción

Chile

12

10

Universidad Nacional de Colombia

Colombia

13

13

Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú

Peru

14

16

Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais

Brazil

15

14

Universidad de Santiago de Chil

Chile

16

18

Pontificia Universidad Javeriana

Colombia

17

19

Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro

Brazil

18

17

Universidade Federal do Rio Grande Do Sul

Brazil

19

15

Universidad de Antioquia

Colombia

20

20

Universidad de Costa Rica

Costa Rica

© QS Quacquarelli Symonds 2004-2023 www.TopUniversities.com

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Global Sae-A’s Decade-long Educational Endeavor in Haiti Bears Fruit: First Ever Graduation at S&H School

CARACOL, Haiti, Sept. 5, 2023 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — In a remarkable milestone that underscores a decade of transformative impact, the inaugural graduation ceremony of S&H School, established in 2013 by Global Sae-A in Caracol, northern Haiti, has marked a turning point in the nation’s educational landscape.

This year, a cohort of 47 students stands on the cusp of the future, having completed their journey through S&H School’s comprehensive educational program. These graduates stand as a testament to the remarkable power of free, high-quality education offered over ten years, encompassing their entire scholastic journey from elementary to high school.

Of these graduates, 11 have successfully secured employment, while 36 are primed to continue their studies at universities, showcasing the potency of S&H School’s holistic approach. Last year, Global Sae-A pioneered internships for aspiring graduates at Sae-A Trading’s international branches, providing a seamless transition into society.

Attending in person were Global Sae-A Chairman and school founder WK Kim, Global Sae-A CEO KM Kim, Haiti government officials, Director of the Regional Ministry of Education, and local community leaders, as well as a bevy of international stakeholders connected virtually.

Amidst Haiti’s economic challenges since the 2010 earthquake, compounded by an unstable environment, Global Sae-A’s unwavering commitment has extended beyond education to encompass epidemic prevention initiatives and significant medical volunteering. With a firm belief that education is the catalyst for national development, S&H School emerged as a cornerstone in the reconstruction process in 2013.

Initially established as an elementary school through collaboration with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), S&H School’s subsequent expansion to include secondary education in 2017 transformed it into a premier comprehensive institution. A meticulously crafted curriculum, elite faculty, multilingual subjects, and a focus on nourishing growth through balanced meals have made S&H School a unique educational haven in Haiti.

Uniquely, S&H School provides free tuition, books, supplies and lunches, a distinction setting it apart as one of the sole institutions in Haiti offering this provision. The incorporation of Hangul as an official curriculum subject since 2018 exemplifies Global Sae-A’s commitment to cultural exchange, fostering a vibrant educational environment. Additionally, orchestral music education enriches students artistically.

With approximately 700 students across 28 classes spanning kindergarten to high school, S&H School’s impact reverberates widely. Global Sae-A Chairman WK Kim, the school’s founder, expressed his pride in witnessing the small educational seed sown in Haiti a decade ago flourishing into empowered individuals poised to shape Haiti’s future.

Chairman Kim stated, “I urge our graduates to embrace their potential and embrace ‘courageous challenges,’ an ethos integral to Global Sae-A’s values, thereby becoming agents of transformation in Haiti’s history.”

Global Sae-A’s profound impact transcends the realm of education, resonating powerfully through its extensive humanitarian initiatives worldwide, under the aegis of the Sae-A Foundation. These endeavors stand as a testament to the company’s unwavering commitment to global welfare.

Notably, the Sae-A Foundation’s compassionate reach manifested significantly in responding to urgent crises. In the aftermath of the devastating wildfires that swept through Indonesia last year, the foundation orchestrated the distribution of thousands of masks and substantial quantities of essential sustenance, providing solace to those displaced by the catastrophe. Similarly, during the harsh throes of winter, the foundation extended a benevolent hand to those affected by the conflict in Ukraine. The provision of blankets and winter garments, valued at $2 million, offered both warmth and hope in the face of adversity.

Elevating its dedication even further, Global Sae-A, in partnership with the esteemed international NGO CORE (Community Organized Relief Effort) and its affiliate Ssangyong Engineering and Construction, earmarked an impressive commitment of $8 million for humanitarian aid. This comprehensive pledge encompasses diverse initiatives, including the financing of shelters tailored for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). The collaboration between these entities underscores a resolute drive to effect positive change in communities in need.

Expanding upon its ethos of corporate social responsibility (CSR), Global Sae-A extends its influence through subsidiary ventures in Haiti, Guatemala, Indonesia, and Vietnam. These localized efforts epitomize the company’s endeavor to harmonize CSR strategies with specific community needs. Scholarships empower aspiring minds, visits to orphanages sow seeds of compassion, and environmental protection initiatives foster sustainable practices, all reflecting the company’s holistic approach to conscientious business stewardship.

In summation, Global Sae-A’s enduring impact traverses continents and scenarios, emboldening its status as a beacon of corporate benevolence. The amalgamation of education and humanitarianism underscores the company’s mission to catalyze positive change on a global scale.

Global Sae-A’s S&H School in Haiti produced its first graduates in 10 years since its establishment. The photo shows Chairman WK Kim (center, front row), the school’s founder, taking a commemorative photo along with other key attendees and graduates after awarding diplomas. (From the left in the front row, Global Sae-A Sr. Advisor Lon Garwood, S&H Global Vice President David Moon, Global Sae-A Chairman WK Kim, S&H School Principal Sophia Choi, and Global Sae-A CEO KM Kim)

Global Sae-A’s S&H School in Haiti produced its first graduates in 10 years since its establishment. The photo shows Global Sae-A Group’s Chairman WK Kim, the school’s founder, giving a congratulatory speech at S&H School's first graduation ceremony.

Global Sae-A’s S&H School in Haiti produced its first graduates in 10 years since its establishment. The photo shows students performing a congratulatory taekwondo performance at the graduation ceremony.

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100 Partial 50% Scholarships For Caribbean Engineers In Online Master’s Degree

CaribPR Wire, NEW YORK, NY, Mon. July 3, 2023: Structuralia, a leader in specialised online education for engineers, in collaboration with the Organization of American States (OAS), is proud to announce the opening of 100 new partial postgraduate scholarships covering 50% of the tuition fee of the selected online master’s degree.

The main purpose of this initiative is to facilitate access to high-quality education and academic excellence for professionals and students from Latin America and the Caribbean interested in expanding their knowledge and skills in areas such as civil engineering; industry, energy, and environment; architecture and building; leadership and management; and digital transformation.

The selection process of the beneficiaries is rigorously carried out, taking into account the ideal profile of the candidates for the chosen master’s degree, the fulfilment of the requirements (being resident in an OAS member country and writing a motivation letter) and the submission of the necessary documentation with their application (copy of identity card, CV/resume and university degree).

The application period for the postgraduate scholarships is open until July 14th, 2023. Those interested can obtain more information on everything related to these scholarships on this website: becasoea.structuralia.com or https://oasscholarships.structuralia.com/.

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TOEFL iBT® Approved for Canada’s Student Direct Stream

PRINCETON, N.J., May 30, 2023 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — ETS announced today that the TOEFL iBT test has been approved by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for use in Canada’s Student Direct Stream (SDS), an expedited study permit processing program for international students from 14 countries who plan to enroll in one of Canada’s postsecondary designated learning institutions.

ETS logo

Previously, only one English-language testing option was authorized for the SDS route. The expansion to include TOEFL iBT is a welcome change for test takers who now have the option to select which test works best for them.

“We are thrilled to be unlocking more opportunities for students to access one of the world’s most desirable study abroad destinations,” said Rohit Sharma, Senior Vice President of Global Higher Education and Workskills at ETS. “Not only will the addition of TOEFL benefit the hundreds of thousands of students who take advantage of the SDS route each year, but institutions can feel confident knowing that they can access a wider pool of applicants who can demonstrate their skills with the premier test of English-language proficiency.”

Students can begin sending TOEFL iBT scores as part of their SDS application beginning August 10, 2023. This is available to legal residents in Antigua and Barbuda; Brazil; China; Colombia; Costa Rica; India; Morocco; Pakistan; Peru; Philippines; Senegal; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; Trinidad and Tobago; and Vietnam.

The TOEFL iBT test is already accepted by 100% of Canadian universities and is also the world’s most widely accepted English-language test, used by more than 12,000 institutions in more than 160 countries worldwide.

Today’s announcement follows a recent announcement from ETS that it is enhancing the TOEFL iBT test beginning July 2023, in which test takers will experience a shortened test, a simplified registration process and increased score transparency.

To learn more about applying for SDS, including eligibility criteria, please visit the Government of Canada website. For more information on TOEFL iBT, including how to register, access to practice materials and more, visit www.ets.org/toefl.

About the TOEFL iBT test

The TOEFL iBT test, created by ETS, is the most respected, accepted and preferred test of academic English-language proficiency, used for study, work and immigration. More than 12,000 institutions in more than 160 countries worldwide use TOEFL iBT scores to make high-stakes decisions. The test boasts 100% acceptance in popular English-speaking destinations including the United States, Canada, the U.K., Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. The test is backed by decades of research and has helped millions of learners on their study abroad journeys. It’s a crucial part of the TOEFL Family of Assessments, which houses a TOEFL test for each stage of English-language proficiency, starting with learners 8+. For more information, visit www.ets.org/toefl.

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Last 2022 Call For Applications For OAS 50% Scholarships Opened For The Caribbean Region

●    The Hague Apostille for University Certifications at no additional cost for young Caribbean professionals between the ages of 20-30.

●      Additional 5% discount for female students with the goal of diminishing the income disparity with men in similar professions.

CaribPR Wire, MADRID, Spain, Mon. Sept. 19, 2022: The prestigious online training school, Structuralia, together with the Organization of American States (OAS), have recently opened their last 2022 call for applications for 50% master’s degrees scholarships available to engineering professionals in the Caribbean region.

As a matter of fact, the demand for STEM professionals in the Caribbean has significantly increased, hence the need for greater support for specialized education and training opportunities in the industry to find highly qualified professionals.

The Organization of American States (OAS) and Structuralia are greatly committed to strengthen the capacities of Caribbean professionals by means of highly specialized education in different fields and have been doing so in the region for the past 12 years.

For instance, in 2022, 2,500 scholarships covering 50% of the total cost of specialized master’s degrees have been made available to citizens of OAS Member States

All those interested may find the necessary information on this scholarship programme by entering the website http://oasscholarships.structuralia.com, where all the requirements are clearly explained to encourage anyone who wishes to further their education to apply; all applicants must be residents of OAS member states.

The application deadline for these limited scholarships is October 7th, 2022. All interested applicants may complete their application at  https://oasscholarships.structuralia.com, and attach their CV along with their university degree.

Special benefits for women and youths

In order to contribute to the higher participation of women in highly specialized STEM education, the OAS / Structuralia scholarship program offers an additional 5% aid to all female students who successfully obtain their degrees in 2022. This initiative is aimed at reducing the wage gap for similar occupations in the field that will generate the most employment opportunities in the coming years.

Likewise, the OAS / Structuralia scholarship program aims at the internalization of the talent of young students between the age of 20 and 30. All those who successfully complete their master’s degrees will receive the Hague Apostille for their Diplomas at no additional cost, so that they may further their professional development anywhere in the world.

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Barbados Ministry of Education and Center of Science and Industry (COSI) Launch STEM Learning Lunchbox Initiative

Honorable Kay McConney, Minister of Education for Barbados and COSI distribute hundreds of science kits to youth to promote science and technology on the island

CARIBPR WIRE, Bridgetown, Barbados, Aug. 26, 2022: Honorable Kay McConney, Minister of Education for Barbados and the Center of Science and Industry (COSI), the “#1 Science Museum in the Country” as voted by USA Today’s 10Best, are coming together to kick off a new initiative to deliver hands-on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) kits, called Learning Lunchboxes, to inspire youth and families.

The Learning Lunchboxes are fun, hands-on kits that provide five, learning activities that showcase the diversity of STEM. COSI distributed over 400 NASA-themed Space kits, which have over 10 hours of content around space, at this event today and will distribute an additional 100 Virgin Hyperloop kits to high school students in the fall. The event featured fun, science experiments for both youth and families in attendance as well as members of the Ministry of Education for Barbados and leaders from the community.

“COSI’s mission is to engage, inspire and transform lives and communities. The importance of STEM education cannot be understated, and COSI is bringing access and exposure to STEM internationally with our STEM education kits and our Learning Lunchbox program,” said Dr. Frederic Bertley, president and CEO of COSI. “We are thankful for the partnership with the Barbadian Government, the Honorable Minister Kay McConney and the team at the Ministry of Education, Technological and Vocational Training. We are grateful for this first program towards a long-lasting partnership with Barbados, and hope to expand the program throughout the Caribbean, bringing science literacy and fun to more learners through COSI.”

“We have worked hard together smartly, but this partnership only started a few months ago. The partnership with COSI serves to demonstrate how quickly, with the right partners, we are able to make science happen for our students,” said Honorable Kay McConney, minister of education for Barbados. “It doesn’t take years, it only takes a willing government, competent partners and excited children to get you on your path to the next great thing.”

COSI has traditionally distributed kits at local food banks across the U.S. and around the world to help feed hungry lives and feed hungry minds. This innovative, community-based model brings together other informal and formal education leaders to highlight the importance of STEM and to help bridge the education gap.

COSI recently partnered with NASA and the U.S. State Department to showcase STEM innovation through the Learning Lunchboxes at the World Fair in Dubai. COSI has also distributed these kits in London, Paris and other countries.

For more information, please visit COSI.org/connect.

# # #

Media Link Only: To download high-quality images of the event, please click here. Credit all assets, “Courtesy of COSI.”

About COSI
COSI, the “#1 Science Museum in the Country” as voted by USA Today’s 10Best, is an esteemed science center that has delighted Central Ohio, with all things science for 58 years, inspiring interest in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) topics and delivering our experiential, “hands-on fun” brand of learning. As a trusted educational resource for families, schools and community partners, COSI is an essential element of our community, engaging more than one million people annually through onsite, offsite and online experiences.

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University Canada West Promotes Women’s Leadership with virtual seminar and MBA Scholarship for Women

CaribPR Wire, TORONTO, Canada, Fri. Oct. 2, 2020: University Canada West (UCW) recently announced details on its next public program, a Women in Leadership virtual seminar with prominent Caribbean speaker: Lisandra Rickards on October 7th at 6pm EST. The featured topic is “Risk and Reward: Lessons from Caribbean Women in Entrepreneurship.”

In June 2020, the Vancouver-based UCW unveiled the Women in Leadership MBA Award, an MBA scholarship. This seminar further expands the university’s support of women leaders in this area.  The audience interested in registering for the seminar can sign up at: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_q5lpT5EnTAyr_4gwgUnIcA

As the talk is virtual, men and women across the Caribbean can log on to view this important and informative seminar. Speaking about the Women in Leadership MBA award, Brock Dykeman, UCW President said, “This is an important initiative for UCW and aligns with our goals to empower women to become business and community leaders. We hope to help develop future leaders through this unique initiative by providing them with the industry-relevant skills that employers are looking for in the fast-changing business and technology landscape.”

Speaker Lasandra Rickards is Founder and CEO of Soul Career, former CEO of the Richard Branson Centre of Entrepreneurship, and a Harvard MBA. As CEO of the Richard Branson Centre of Entrepreneurship, she coached over 220 entrepreneurs, created online programs for over 2,500 entrepreneurs, built a team of 12, and made the Centre a player in the venture capital space. With Soul Career, she helps executives, professionals and entrepreneurs lead authentically, and build powerful legacies.

Research shows that communities thrive and grow when women advance in their careers and run their own businesses.  UCW feels that these virtual seminars will provide women and men with tools to advance their leadership skills.

UCW is also of special interest to the Caribbean community because they offer the Americas Tuition, which provides tuition support for prospective students from North America, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean. With the Americas Tuition award, students save up to 60% compared to regular international student’s tuition fees for UCW’s Associate of Arts, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Commerce and MBA degrees. UCW is offering the Americas Tuition Award for students starting in the intakes of January, April, July or October 2021.

Background:

University Canada West is a contemporary independent university located in the heart of vibrant Vancouver. Established in 2004, UCW offers a range of career-focused programs including the Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Arts in Business Communication, Associate of Arts and Master of Business Administration. Courses are offered at UCW´s two downtown Vancouver campus locations, as well as online.

The virtual seminar “Risk and Reward: Lessons from Caribbean Women in Entrepreneurship” is part of a Women in Leadership Seminar Series made up of four seminars focused on Mexico, South America, Brazil, and the Caribbean respectively. The registration link for the seminar is: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_q5lpT5EnTAyr_4gwgUnIcA

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“Everything You Treasure — For a World Free From Nuclear Weapons” Exhibition Shown in Kazakhstan

NUR-SULTAN, Kazakhstan and TOKYO, Oct. 2, 2019 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The exhibition “Everything You Treasure — For a World Free From Nuclear Weapons” is on display in the Library of the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan – Elbasy in Nur-Sultan (Astana), from October 2 – 13, to mark the 30th anniversary of the end of nuclear weapons testing at the Semipalatinsk nuclear weapons test site and the 10th anniversary of the Treaty on a Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone in Central Asia (CANWFZ).

With an estimated 1.5 million of its people suffering the effects of the testing of 456 nuclear weapons at Semipalatinsk over a 40-year period, Kazakhstan is known for its commitment to ridding the world of nuclear weapons. On August 29 this year, it became the 26th country in the world to ratify the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.

Cosponsored by the Soka Gakkai International (SGI), the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) and the Library of the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan – Elbasy, this showing of “Everything You Treasure” aims to attract support for the nuclear ban treaty and to galvanize further interest in this issue in Central Asia. Kazakhstan is the 21st country in which it has been shown, and this is the first showing in the Russian language.

The exhibition asks viewers to consider how all they treasure in life would be threatened by nuclear weapons. It reexamines the nuclear weapons issue from diverse perspectives including environmental, medical, economic, human rights, energy, spiritual, gender, generational and security aspects.

Amerkhan Rakhimzhanov, Director of the Library of the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan – Elbasy, Kuanysh Sultanov, Chairman of the Human Rights Commission of Kazakhstan, and Hirotsugu Terasaki, Director General of Peace and Global Issues of SGI, spoke at the opening ceremony that was attended by 100 people.

Amerkhan Rakhimzhanov commented, “It is especially exciting for me to hold within this building this traveling exhibition. The Library of the First President deeply values partnerships with both local and international like-minded people.”

In his message to the opening (https://www.daisakuikeda.org/sub/resources/works/lect/20191001-msg-nuke-abol-kazakhstan.html), SGI President Daisaku Ikeda expressed his respect for Kazakhstan’s contributions to nuclear abolition, stating: “Semipalatinsk was the venue for the signing ceremony for the Treaty on a Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone in Central Asia. It was also a pivotal site for a popular movement opposing nuclear weapons…, the Nevada-Semipalatinsk Movement that famously developed into a global grassroots effort to ban nuclear weapons testing and nuclear weapons themselves.”

The exhibition “Everything You Treasure — For a World Free From Nuclear Weapons” (https://www.sgi.org/in-focus/2012/eyt-world-free-nuclear-weapons.html) was jointly created by the Soka Gakkai International (SGI) Buddhist network and the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), 2017 Nobel Peace Prize winner. It was first shown in 2012 in Hiroshima and has been shown in 90 cities around the world.

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Tuskegee Airmen Elect Dominican-Born President & Features Jamaican-Born Aerospace Engineer

tuskeegg

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New Tuskegee Airmen ECCTAI President, Gabriel J. Christian, and Keynote Speaker Robert Rashford Bring Caribbean Leaders to Forefront

Tuskegee-Youth-Fundraiser

CaribPR Wire, WASHINGTON, Thursday, June 27, 2019: On December 1, 2018, Gabriel J. Christian, Esq., became the first Caribbean-born President of the Tuskegee Airmen East Coast Chapter.

This summer, Christian led the Tuskegee Airmen by organizing and hosting a historic fundraising event which featured two prominent Caribbean nationals during its 2019 Tuskegee Youth In Aviation Breakfast Fundraiser on May 25th in Oxon Hill, Maryland.

The theme for this year’s fundraiser event was ‘Honoring the Legacy of Excellence’ as featured on CBS News (WUSA9) in Washington, D.C. The full news feature is available on CBS online at https://on.wusa9.com/2J9tIzi.

The East Coast Chapter of Tuskegee Airmen, Inc,. (ECCTAI), is the largest and most active chapter in the national organization and brings together — in the spirit of friendship and goodwill — all who share in the aspirations and successes of the men and women who pioneered military aviation in the Tuskegee Airmen; a group of Black military pilots who fought in World War II.

As the newly elected President of ECCTAI, Gabriel J. Christian, a native islander from The Commonwealth of Dominica, is the first Caribbean-born President to serve in this role. Keeping the legacy of his father, Wendell McKenzie Christian, who was a British Army World War II veteran.

Christian is an attorney, an author, and a long-standing and active volunteer member of ECCTAI for over a decade whilst also serving as Lead Counsel at his Bowie-based law practice: The Maryland Law Offices of Gabriel J. Christian & Associates. Having been raised by a decorated fireman father and a dutiful mother who impressed upon him the importance of civil services, Christian seeks to preserve the legacy of the proud Tuskegee Airmen. “Their successes expanded the bounds of freedom and equality for all people, at home and abroad.”

The event’s keynote speaker, Jamaican-native islander, Robert Rashford, is an internationally known aerospace engineer who makes tools for use in outer space. His wide-ranging work has earned him many awards. This includes four awards from NASA for his work on the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite and the Hubble Space Telescope. He also received an award for Excellence in Science and Technology from the Institute of Caribbean Studies.

Today, he says to young people: “Expect challenges in your life; if you have no challenges, you do not live- use each one to motivate you to achieve great things.”

Rashford’s stellar accomplishments and focus on encouraging today’s youth to challenge themselves made him the ideal choice for Keynote during the event. “At a time when space exploration is key to the survival of our species, our scholarship program helps fund activities that promote aerospace and youth leadership development, especially in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics,” said Christian.

ECCTAI is dedicated to fostering recognition of and preserving the history of Black achievements in aviation, and to inspiring and motivating young men and women toward endeavors in aviation and aerospace careers.

For more on ECCTAI and to start making a difference, log on to http://ecctai.org/.

###

REFERENCES

CaribNation TV News Feature of Tuskegee Airmen Youth in Aviation Event

https://youtu.be/FfEpsDuvWS0

CBS News Feature of Tuskegee Airmen

https://on.wusa9.com/2J9tIzi

https://www.wusa9.com/video/opinion/editorials/off-script/tuskegee-airmen-work-to-get-teens-interested-in-aviation-stem/65-cb75b160-7da0-4ad4-8644-48731dfbefa6

Tuskegee Airmen Photo Gallery

https://ecctai.smugmug.com/2019-ECCTAI-YOUTH-RECOGNITION-BREAKFAST-FUNDRAISER/

Tuskegee Airmen ECCTAI – President’s Message

http://ecctai.org/presidents-message

Robert Rashford Bio

http://icons.niherst.gov.tt/icon/robert-rashford-ci1/

Wendell M. Christian Obituary

https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/washingtonpost/obituary.aspx?n=wendell-m-christian&pid=154037173

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Caribbean Countries Agree to Protect Endangered Largetooth Sawfish

Dutch Proposal to List the Species under the Cartagena Convention Succeeds

ROATÁN, Honduras, June 5, 2019 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Today, on World Environment Day, the critically endangered largetooth sawfish gained a lifeline as Caribbean countries unanimously agreed to add the species to Annex II of the Specially Protected Areas and Wildlife (SPAW) Protocol under the Cartagena Convention. Seventeen member governments are thereby obligated to impose strict national protections for the species and cooperate regionally to recover populations.

“We are pleased that governments from across the Caribbean have seen the value of saving the iconic and irreplaceable largetooth sawfish from further regional extinction,” said Olga Koubrak, legal advisor for Sealife Law. “Sawfish are among the world’s most endangered marine species and urgently need strict legal protections wherever they remain.”

All five sawfish species worldwide are classified as Endangered or Critically Endangered under the IUCN Red List. Largetooth and smalltooth sawfish were once common in the Caribbean but are now seriously depleted. The smalltooth sawfish was added to SPAW Annex II in 2017. Caribbean countries thought to still have sawfish in their waters include the Bahamas, Cuba, Colombia, and Costa Rica. The level of national sawfish protection varies, however, and regional conservation initiatives are lacking.

“Today’s decision is warranted and welcome, as time is running out for sawfish,” said Sonja Fordham, president of Shark Advocates International. “The success of this measure depends on prompt and robust implementation of associated conservation commitments. We thank the Netherlands for proposing sawfish listing and urge continued engagement to ensure sawfish protection programs are developed across the Caribbean, before it’s too late.”

Found globally in warm waters, sawfish can grow to nearly 20 feet. Like other rays, low reproductive rates leave them exceptionally vulnerable to overfishing. Incidental catch is the main threat to sawfish; their tooth-studded snouts are easily entangled in nets. Despite increasing protections, sawfish parts are used for curios, food, medicine, and cockfighting. Habitat degradation also jeopardizes survival.

Sealife Law (SL) brings legal information and education to ocean conservation. Shark Advocates International (SAI) advances science-based policies for sharks and rays. SL and SAI have joined with marine researchers from Havenworth Coastal Conservation (HCC), CubaMar, and Florida State University to form a Caribbean sawfish coalition, supported by the Shark Conservation Fund. SAI, HCC, and CubaMar are projects of The Ocean Foundation.


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This Organization Has A Unique Voter Education Message This National Voter Registration Day

4CaribPR Wire, NEW YORK, NY, Tues. Sept. 25, 2018: With 42 days until the November 6, 2018 mid-term election in the U.S. from today, September 25, 2018, one organization is taking a unique voter education message to its growing foreign-born immigrant voting bloc this National Voter Registration Day.

CaribPR Wire, the PR newswire of the Caribbean and partner of the PR Newswire, is tapping into the carnival and party culture of the burgeoning Caribbean immigrant population in the US by leading a carnival-themed voter promotion campaign to urge Caribbean immigrants and Caribbean Americans who are eligible to vote, to ensure they do.

The promotion is the brain-child of CaribPR Wire founder, Felicia J. Persaud, to stimulate and drum-up voter turn-out among Caribbean immigrant voters in the U.S. this November. According to the recent U.S. Census’s American Community Survey, the Caribbean immigrant population in the US has grown by a projected 600,000 in recent years to surpass a conservative estimate of 3 million nationally.

The creative social media targeted advertising campaign includes 9 Caribbean-centric messages as: “Lime, Wine, Vote” “Vote Or Your Lime Is History” and “Jam Up The Polls This Nov. 6th.” There are also culturally specific messages including: “Jab Jab To The Polls This Nov. 6th,” “Hot Gyal A Vote,” “Dutty Wine To The Polls This Nov. 6th” and “Ride De Riddim and Vote This Nov. 6th.” There is also a unique message for Haitian voters.

“This is the most critical election of our life-time as immigrants in this country, especially given the anti-immigrant policies being put in place by this administration,” said the Guyana-born, U.S. citizen and media entrepreneur. “Those of us who have earned the hard-fought right to vote need to use it on D-Day, Nov. 6th, or we may lose it forever and be shocked to find ourselves sucking salt back in the islands and nations we came from.”

The campaign was conceptualized and created by award-winning digital media company, Hard Beat Communications and is aimed at keeping the beat of carnival going into the polls this November 6th.

The messages can accessed on CaribPR’s Facebook page here.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Kathy Bronson

[email protected]

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Carnival-Themed Voter Promotion To Push Participation Of Caribbean Immigrants In U.S. Elections Launched

One of the Carnival-themed promos unveiled by CaribPR as part of its Caribbean American voting push for Nov. 6, 2018.

One of the Carnival-themed promos unveiled by CaribPR as part of its Caribbean American voting push for Nov. 6, 2018.

CaribPR Wire, NEW YORK, NY, Fri. Sept. 21, 2018: With 46 days until the November 6, 2018 mid-term election in the U.S. from today, September 21, 2018, CaribPR Wire, the PR newswire of the Caribbean and partner of the PR Newswire, is launching a carnival-themed voter promotion campaign across the United States to urge Caribbean immigrants and Caribbean Americans who are eligible to vote, to ensure they do.

The promotion is the brain-child of CaribPR Wire founder, Felicia J. Persaud, to stimulate and drum-up voter turn-out among the Caribbean immigrant voting bloc in the U.S. this November.

“This is the most critical election of our life-time as immigrants in this country, especially given the anti-immigrant policies being put in place by this administration,” said the Guyana-born, U.S. citizen and media entrepreneur. “Those of us who have earned the hard-fought right to vote need to use it on D-Day, Nov. 6th, or we may lose it forever and be shocked to find ourselves sucking salt back in the islands and nations we came from.”

The campaign was conceptualized and created by award-winning digital media company, Hard Beat Communications and is aimed at keeping the beat of carnival going into the polls this November 6th. The creative social media targeted advertising campaign includes 9 Caribbean-centric messages as: “Lime, Wine, Vote” “Vote Or Your Lime Is History” and “Jam Up The Polls This Nov. 6th.” There are also culturally specific messages including: “Jab Jab To The Polls This Nov. 6th,” “Hot Gyal A Vote,” “Dutty Wine To The Polls This Nov. 6th” and “Ride De Riddim and Vote This Nov. 6th.”

Media houses and Caribbean nationals wishing to download the ads and share the message can access them on CaribPR’s Facebook page here.

“We urge all Caribbean immigrants, organizations, entertainers and Caribbean nationals globally to spread the message and to insist their family and friends who can vote in the U.S. do so this November 6th or the civil rights and liberties we see quickly eroding right now may be history,” Persaud added.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Kathy Bronson

[email protected]

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Global Standards Leader ASTM International Launches “Caribbean Roadshow” in Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and Guyana

WEST CONSHOHOCKEN, Pennsylvania, May 14, 2018 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — ASTM International, one of the world’s leading standards organizations, announced today that it will host several events in Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and Guyana as part of the “Caribbean Roadshow,” June 4-8.

The roadshow includes outreach, training, and education focused on the growing use of ASTM International standards and International Code Council (ICC) codes. The team will highlight longstanding Caribbean partnerships and focus on how standards and codes are the foundation for quality and safety in construction projects.

Activities also include industry workshops and meetings with high-profile groups in Kingston (June 4-5), Port of Spain (June 6), and Georgetown (June 7-8). Speakers will include Mark Johnson, executive vice president of ICC, and R. Christopher Mathis, ASTM International board member and president of MC2 Mathis Consulting.

“This partnership involves unprecedented outreach and networking aimed at finding solutions to sustainable construction challenges,” said ASTM International director of external relations, James Olshefsky. “We look forward to highlighting the many members and dozens of partners who increasingly use ASTM’s high-quality standards throughout the region.”

In addition, the roadshow will include student forums during which students will learn about ASTM’s academic offerings, and laboratory roundtables, where ASTM staff will present information about ASTM’s laboratory services.

ASTM International has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality (CROSQ) as well as all of its member states including Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and Guyana. These agreements encourage participation of technical experts worldwide in the standards development process, while also broadening the global acceptance of ASTM International standards.

The “Caribbean Roadshow” follows a similar roadshow in September 2017 to El Salvador, Costa Rica, and Panama.

Over the past 17 years, ASTM International has signed 109 MOUs with national standards bodies worldwide. As a result, its standards have been referenced more than 7,500 times outside the United States in laws, regulations, codes, and elsewhere. For more information on this program, visit www.astm.org/GLOBAL/mou.html.

Follow the Road Show on Facebook and Twitter (#ASTMRoadShow).

About ASTM International

Committed to serving global societal needs, ASTM International positively impacts public health and safety, consumer confidence, and overall quality of life. We integrate consensus standards – developed with our international membership of volunteer technical experts – and innovate services to improve lives… Helping our world work better.

Roadshow Contact: James Olshefsky, tel +1.610.832.9714; [email protected]

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The Sunwing Foundation partners with Books Give Us Wings to spread the love of reading on Read Across Jamaica Day

CaribPR Wire, TORONTO, May 08, 2018: As part of their recently launched Flying Start program, Sunwing Foundation is joining forces with Books Give Us Wings (a Toronto-based charity established by seasoned North York elementary school teacher and Jamaican-born, Myrna Gabbidon, that promotes children’s literacy in the Caribbean) to fly just under 3,000 new and gently used children’s books to Jamaica in time for Read Across Jamaica Day (May 8th).

A quantity of books donated were collected as part of the Sunwing Foundation’s Flying start program that seeks to provide children with all the necessary supplies for learning in destinations served by the travel company. A large part of today’s donation was coordinated by Ms. Gabbidon who reached out to students at several schools across Toronto for help in order that a special delivery could be made in time for the national reading awareness day.

Ms. Gabbidon and the books collected were flown down on Sunwing Airlines to Jamaica yesterday. Sunwing’s local destination team, Sunwing Experiences, will be coordinating deliveries of the books to select local elementary schools throughout Jamaica with Ms. Gabbidon today, May 8th, and May 9th.

“My primary goal with this initiative is to ensure every child owns a book, as I believe literacy and art are both key to helping children become successful in their education and develop into contributing members of society,” says Gabbidon. “When you give a child a book, you give them wings; enabling their imagination to take flight and to become passionate and curious about the world.”

The Sunwing Foundation established the Flying Start program earlier this year to support students in the Caribbean by providing them with books and education supplies. Today’s donation is expected to positively impact thousands of Jamaican students.

“The Sunwing Foundation is committed to supporting youth and education projects in the destinations we serve.” says Stephen Hunter, CEO of Sunwing Travel Group. “We are pleased to help promote literacy on Jamaica’s National Reading Day.”

For more information on the Sunwing foundation, please visit www.sunwingfoundation.com.

About The Sunwing Foundation

A charitable initiative established by the Hunter family, the Sunwing Foundation reflects the Sunwing Travel Group’s enduring commitment to the support and development of youth in the communities where it operates in the form of project funding or the transport of humanitarian aid. The Sunwing Foundation passes on 100% of the charitable donations it raises to the communities that need it the most, funding educational and skills development projects to provide a direct, impactful, and sustainable improvement to quality of life for years to come.

About Books Give Us Wings
Books Give Us Wings is a charitable initiative created and led by seasoned school teacher from the North York area of Toronto, Myrna Gibbon. The idea for Books Give Us Wings was sparked in 2011 when Marguerite Jackson, Director of North York Board of Education at the time, collaborated with a number of educators, including Myrna, to provide each elementary classroom a bin of books the students could relate to—both fiction and non-fiction. The initiative received such a strong and positive response, Myrna decided to take the initiative further. Thus, Books Give Us Wings was born.

https://www.facebook.com/SunwingVacations
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https://www.instagram.com/sunwingvacations
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzjZ-lcuaqBQH7Sq0u3ru7A

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at :

http://resource.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/e53c408a-e2af-4a99-9a34-f8265530037e

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La fundación Sunwing Foundation se asocia con Books Give Us Wings para fomentar el amor por la lectura en el evento Read Across Jamaica Day

CaribPR Wire, TORONTO, May 09, 2018: Como parte de su programa Flying Start de reciente lanzamiento, la fundación Sunwing Foundation trabaja junto con Books Give Us Wings (una organización benéfica con sede en Toronto, creada por la experimentada maestra de escuela primaria de North York, la jamaiquina Myrna Gabbidon, que promueve la alfabetización de los niños en el Caribe) para enviar por avión casi 3000 libros para niños nuevos y usados en buen estado a Jamaica a tiempo para el día de fomento de la lectura Read Across Jamaica Day (el 8 de mayo).

Una gran cantidad de libros donados se recolectó como parte del programa Flying Start de Sunwing Foundation, que busca brindar a los niños todos los elementos necesarios para el aprendizaje en los destinos a los que vuela la empresa de viajes. Gran parte de la donación de hoy fue coordinada por la Sra. Gabbidon, quien se comunicó con estudiantes de muchas escuelas de Toronto para pedirles ayuda para que esta entrega especial pudiera realizarse a tiempo para el día nacional de fomento de la lectura.

La Sra. Gabbidon y los libros recolectados volaron ayer a Jamaica en Sunwing Airlines. El equipo local de Sunwing, Sunwing Experiences, coordinará la entrega de los libros a escuelas primarias seleccionadas en todo el territorio jamaiquino junto con la Srta. Gabbidon, el 8 y 9 de mayo.

“Mi principal objetivo con esta iniciativa es garantizar que cada niño posea un libro, ya que creo que la lectura y el arte son clave para ayudar a los niños a triunfar en el aprendizaje y a desarrollarse como miembros activos de la sociedad”, expresó la Sra. Gabbidon. “Darle un libro a un niño es darle alas; esto permite que su imaginación vuele, le da entusiasmo y despierta su curiosidad con respecto al mundo”.

Sunwing Foundation lanzó a principios de este año el programa Flying Start para apoyar a los estudiantes del Caribe mediante la provisión de libros y suministros para la educación. Se espera que la donación de hoy tenga un impacto positivo en miles de estudiantes jamaiquinos.

“Sunwing Foundation se ha comprometido a apoyar a los jóvenes y a los proyectos educativos en los destinos a los que viaja”, comentó Stephen Hunter, director ejecutivo de Sunwing Travel Group. “Nos complace ayudar a promover la lectura en el Día Nacional de la Lectura de Jamaica”.

Si desea obtener más información sobre Sunwing Foundation, visite www.sunwingfoundation.com.

Acerca de Sunwing Foundation

Sunwing Foundation, una iniciativa benéfica creada por la familia Hunter, refleja el inquebrantable compromiso del Sunwing Travel Group de apoyar a los jóvenes en las comunidades donde opera mediante la financiación de proyectos o el transporte de ayuda humanitaria. Sunwing Foundation destina el 100 % de las donaciones que recauda a las comunidades que más lo necesitan a través de la financiación de programas educativos y de desarrollo de habilidades con el fin de crear mejoras directas, concretas y sostenibles en la calidad de vida de los años venideros.

Acerca de Books Give Us Wings
Books Give Us Wings es una iniciativa benéfica creada y liderada por Myrna Gabbidon, una experimentada maestra de North York, en el área de Toronto. La idea de Books Give Us Wings surgió en 2011 cuando Marguerite Jackson, directora de la Junta de Educación de North York en aquel momento, colaboraba con algunos educadores, incluida Myrna, para brindar a cada clase de la escuela primaria una caja de libros, de ficción y de no ficción, con los que los niños pudieran sentirse identificados. La iniciativa tuvo una respuesta contundente y positiva, pero Myrna decidió ampliar esta iniciativa. Así surgió Books Give Us Wings.

https://www.facebook.com/SunwingVacations
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Global Innovations for Character Development

CaribPR Wire, NASSAU, Bahamas, March 13, 2018: Can humility go viral? Can we disrupt barriers to gratitude? Can technology promote forgiveness? Templeton World Charity Foundation is announcing $15 million USD in funding over five years to answer these questions through Global Innovations for Character Development (GICD). This first-of-its-kind initiative will support scientifically sound innovations that explore how character development can be recognized, invested in, and nurtured for its critical role in transforming lives.

Andrew Serazin, President of the Templeton World Charity Foundation, remarked, “We believe that character development is a pillar of human development. Through this initiative, we hope that researchers, policymakers, and innovators around the world will respond with their best ideas.”

The Templeton World Charity Foundation has issued a request for proposals (RFP) for research and implementation projects in low- and middle-income countries worldwide, including Latin America and the Caribbean. This initial round will fund as many as ten proof-of-concept awards for up to $234,000 USD to proposals that develop novel approaches to fostering specific character strengths, as well as scales for measuring them.

The Foundation will also offer an award of up to $1 million USD to scale up a character development innovation. This larger opportunity is open to innovations that have a peer-reviewed evidence base, and that are ready to achieve substantial impact through widespread implementation. The Foundation anticipates additional calls for proposals in this initiative in future years.

Character strengths are learned and learnable attributes, skills, or habits which enable individuals to live better, more fulfilling and prosperous lives. Successful proposals will demonstrate a clear path to generating impact on individuals through demonstrable changes in knowledge, awareness and the practice of specific character strengths. Proposals must also include a rigorous evaluation methodology.

Based in Nassau, the Bahamas, the Templeton World Charity Foundation aims to provide scientific breakthroughs and practical tools relating to the search for meaning, purpose, and truth. The Foundation works with top institutions, thought leaders, and innovators from around the globe to support projects of the highest caliber and communicate the results of these projects to a wide audience.

The deadline for Round 1 of the RFP is June 15, 2018. For more information, visit www.globalcharacter.org.

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Scholastic Literacy Pro™ Named Primary Resource/ Equipment Supplier of the Year at The 2018 GESS Education Awards

Literacy Pro Recognized for Matching Students with High-Interest, Authentic Titles to Raise Reading Achievement while Providing Educators with Data to Differentiate Instruction

NEW YORK, March 8, 2018 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ – Literacy Pro™, an innovative digital reading and assessment program from the international division of Scholastic, the global children’s publishing, education and media company, was named the Primary Resource/Equipment Supplier of the Year by the 2018 GESS Education Awards. The GESS Education Awards recognize high-quality and diverse educational products, resources, service and people as well as the best educational establishments and the most dedicated members of the teaching profession.

Scholastic Logo.

For more information about Literacy Pro, visit scholastic.com/literacypro.

As the Primary Resource/Equipment Supplier of the Year, Literacy Pro was recognized for its strength in guiding educators to support students in grades 2–12 in reaching reading proficiency goals, connecting them to authentic books that will maximize their achievement, and building a culture of reading within a school.

Currently used in 47 countries, Literacy Pro provides an online adaptive assessment that measures students’ reading comprehension and generates a personalized book list that matches each student’s reading level and individual interests. Each title includes a comprehension quiz that provides an opportunity for students to earn points towards certificate levels in the program. Educators also have access to dashboards where they can view detailed reports that inform instructional decisions and ensure students are reaching required levels of proficiency, all of which can be customized within the program to support different curriculum benchmarks.

Literacy Pro Library, an enhancement of the program, offers an interactive ebook library consisting of more than 900 titles including popular series Goosebumps™, Discover More, A True Book™, and more. The Library includes resources such as audio books, interactive vocabulary, and a student recording feature to provide a personalized experience for all readers. Additionally, educators can assign books to students using reading levels and content areas and monitor their reading progress.

QUOTES:

Anne Boynton-Trigg, VP, Export Sales and Marketing at Scholastic
“We are honored that Scholastic Literacy Pro has been named ‘Primary Resource/Equipment Supplier of the Year’ and is receiving recognition as a program students and educators can depend on to inform classroom instruction and independent reading. The program’s ability to effortlessly match students with engaging, authentic texts they want to read creates a culture of reading that engages every child while building the foundation they need to become lifelong learners.

Leticia Becerril, Educator and Literacy Pro user, Colegio Cuernavaca, Mexico
“Literacy Pro and Literacy Pro Library provide teachers with evidence-based data so we can make the best teaching and learning decisions to develop our students into successful, proficient readers.”

Since 2017, Scholastic Literacy Pro has received the BESSIE award for Best Primary Literacy Resource Website and was a finalist for the 2018 BETT award for Best Primary Content Resource.

For more information about Scholastic, visit http://mediaroom.scholastic.com.

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Knowledge First Financial to Acquire Heritage Education Funds to Pursue a Shared Goal of Helping Families Maximize Their Education Savings

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario, Jan. 11, 2018 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — On January 3, 2018 Knowledge First Financial announced the acquisition of Heritage Education Funds Inc. and Heritage Education Funds International, LLC to pursue a shared goal of helping families maximize their education savings. The companies will create the largest Education Savings Plan provider in Canada and select international markets with a total of $6.4 billion in assets under management. Knowledge First is owned by a not-for-profit Foundation, while Heritage was privately held.

Each company brings more than 50 years of helping families across the globe save for post-secondary education through the use of a focused education savings plan. Heritage Education Funds International has been serving the education savings needs of customers around the globe for more than three decades.

“We are very pleased to bring together these two strong, long-standing financial institutions,” says George Hopkinson, President and CEO, Knowledge First Financial. “We believe the combined size and scale of these two organizations will enable us to meet a growing need for education specialists who are dedicated to helping families maximize their education savings.”

“It’s a privilege to serve families around the world who are planning ahead so their children can pursue a post-secondary education,” said Jason Maguire, outgoing president and CEO of Heritage Education Funds International, LLC. “Now we are in an even stronger position to make our education savings plans available to more parents and grandparents.”

The Heritage International Scholarship Trust Plan is a US dollar-denominated savings plan which has, to date, over US $115 million in asset under management and has benefited over 20,000 students attending post-secondary institutions in the Caribbean, United States, Canada, UK and other parts of the world. The Plan is sponsored by The Heritage International Scholarship Trust Foundation, a not-for-profit Canadian corporation which was also part of the acquisition. Since its inception, The Heritage International Scholarship Trust Foundation has returned more than US$152 million in principal, educational assistance payments and scholarships to qualified students.

The Heritage International Scholarship Trust Plan will continue to be distributed and managed as it is today. The international business will operate under the name of Knowledge First International Inc. and the company will operate as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Knowledge First Foundation. The Knowledge First Foundation is a not-for-profit Canadian corporation that reinvests its net revenue in initiatives that support student success. Since 1965 the Knowledge First Foundation has provided students with nearly $50 million in additional discretionary top-up payments and has awarded more than $1 million in post-graduate scholarships.

George Hopkinson will continue as President and CEO and will lead the integration activities.  Jason Maguire will join Knowledge First as Managing Director to assist in the integration and continue to lead and support the international operation.

The acquisition closed January 2, 2018.

The acquisition is not expected to have any impact on subscribers or beneficiaries to the Heritage International Scholarship Trust Plan or Knowledge First Plans.  Blair Franklin Capital Partners Inc. is serving as financial advisor and Wildeboer Dellelce, LLP is acting as legal counsel to Knowledge First.

About Knowledge First Financial

Canadian families have relied on education savings plans offered by Knowledge First Financial for more than 50 years.  Today the company provides sound financial management and administers $3.72 billion in assets on behalf of more than 250,000 customers. Since 1965, payments from the plans have reached $3.6 billion.

Knowledge First Financial Inc. is the investment fund manager, administrator and distributor of the Registered Education Savings Plans.

About Heritage Education Funds

Heritage Education Funds is a leading and trusted provider of Education Savings Plans, with over 50 years of experience in Canada and over 30 years in select international markets.

Heritage Education Funds International operates in Jamaica, Bahamas, Bermuda and the British Virgin Islands.

visit www.HeritageESPcom.

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Ambassador Susan E. Rice and Raptors Head, Masai Ujiri amongst six honourees to be recognized at the ninth annual University of the West Indies Toronto Benefit Gala

TORONTO, Jan. 9, 2018 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ – The University of the West Indies today announced that Ambassador Susan E. Rice, who served in President Barack Obama’s administration, and Mr. Masai Ujiri, President of the Raptors, are amongst the six being honoured at the ninth annual UWI Toronto Benefit Gala on Saturday, April 7, 2018, at The Ritz-Carlton Toronto. The other honourees include Dr. Victor S. Blanchette, Dr. Avis Glaze, Dr. Michael S. Pollanen and the YMCA. The event will again be hosted by CBC News Anchor Dwight Drummond. Lead Sponsor is Scotiabank for the ninth consecutive year.

Ambassador Rice will receive the Luminary Award, which is presented to people of Caribbean Heritage who have made their mark globally, in their respective fields, or people who have brought prominence to the Caribbean or to issues which affect the Region.

Ms. Rice served as National Security Advisory and U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations. She led the National Security Council Staff and chaired the Cabinet-level National Security Principals Committee. For four years, she also served as U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs. In 2000, she was the recipient of the White House’s Samuel Nelson Drew Memorial Award for distinguished contributions to the formation of peaceful, cooperative relationships between states. Other roles she has served include Special Assistant to President William J. Clinton, Senior Director for African Affairs at the National Security Council at the White House, and Director for International Organizations and Peacekeeping on the National Security Staff. She was also a Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution, conducting research and publishing widely on U.S. foreign policy, transnational security threats, weak states, global poverty and development. The Washington native has served on numerous boards, including the Bureau of National Affairs, the National Democratic Institute and the U.S. Fund for UNICEF. In 2017, French President Francois Hollande presented Ambassador Rice with the Award of Commander, the Legion of Honor of France, for her contributions to Franco-American relations.

Mr. Masai Ujiri, professional basketball executive and President of the Toronto Raptors, will receive the G. Raymond Chang Award. The G. Raymond Chang Award was established to honour outstanding individuals who exemplify the leadership ideals of G. Raymond Chang (1948-2014), who was a well-respected and outstanding Canadian and Caribbean business leader and philanthropist who embodied great humility and commitment to his fellow persons. Mr. Chang passed away in July 2014, and was the UWI Gala’s patron for five years.

Nigerian born, Mr. Ujiri is a former basketball scout and player. After emigrating to the U.S., he played at Bismarck State College and Montana State University Billings and then played professionally in Europe for six years. In 2002, he worked as a youth coach in Nigeria after ending his professional playing career. He then became an unpaid scout for NBA’s Orlando Magic and eventually was hired as an international scout for the Denver Nuggets, followed by becoming the Director of Global Scouting for the Toronto Raptors. Mr. Ujiri became the Raptors’ assistant general manager in 2008, but returned to the Nuggets in 2010 as executive vice president in charge of basketball operations. In 2013, he was named NBA Executive of the Year, the only non-American ever to receive that honour. Later that year, he became the President and General Manager of the Raptors. He is also affiliated with the NBA’s Basketball Without Borders Africa program, which promotes basketball throughout the continent. Ujiri’s work with Basketball Without Borders is profiled in Hubert Davis’s 2016 award winning documentary film Giants of Africa. Most recently Mr. Ujiri was conferred an Honorary Doctorate by Ryerson University in Toronto.

The Chancellor’s Award will be presented to the YMCA. As one of Canada’s longest standing and largest charities since 1851, it is dedicated to the growth of all persons in spirit, mind and body, and to their sense of responsibility to each other and the global community. It provides vital community services that are having a positive impact on some of Canada’s most pressing social issues. The YMCA has also assisted people of the Caribbean Diaspora in Toronto. The Chancellor’s Award is presented to organizations which have contributed significantly to the Caribbean, or outstanding organizations owned by persons of Caribbean heritage.

The Vice Chancellor’s Award is presented to people of Caribbean heritage and others whose body of work have contributed to the betterment of the Caribbean Region and who have made significant contributions within their organizations and communities. Three people will be awarded in 2018.

Dr. Victor S. Blanchette is a Medical Doctor of the Pediatric Thrombosis and Hemostasis Program in the Division of Haematology/Oncology at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, and Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Toronto. He is the McCaig Magee Family Medical Doctor of the SickKids Caribbean Cancer and Blood Disorders Initiative in the Centre for Global Child Health at the Hospital for Sick Children. His research interests are in the area of the congenital and acquired bleeding disorders of children. Dr. Blanchette is the Director of the Pediatric Comprehensive Care Hemophilia Program at the Hospital for Sick Children, and chair of the International Prophylaxis Study Group (IPSG). He is an elected Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of the United Kingdom.

Dr. Avis Glaze is one of Canada’s outstanding educators, an author and a recognized international leader in education. This award-winning educator has experienced all levels of the school system as a classroom teacher, Superintendent of Schools and Director of Education. Dr. Glaze was one of five Commissioners on Ontario’s landmark Royal Commission on Learning, setting directions for the future of the education system. As the Province’s first Chief Student Achievement Officer and Founding CEO of the Literacy and Numeracy Secretariat, she played a vital role in working with educators to improve student learning, achievement and well-being. She taught at faculties of education at York University and the University of Toronto, and was appointed Professor in Residence at the Faculty of Education, University of Toronto. She is currently President of Edu-quest International Inc., offering a wide range of educational services and speaking engagements across the Globe.

Dr. Michael S. Pollanen is Chief Forensic Pathologist for Ontario and a Professor and Vice-Chair (Innovation) of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology at the University of Toronto. He has been involved in case work and forensic missions in: East Timor, Cambodia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Haiti, Thailand, Jamaica, Iraq, and Bermuda. He is a member of the forensic advisory board of the International Committee of the Red Cross and is the immediate Past President of the International Association of Forensic Science. Pollanen is a Founder of Forensic Pathology in the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. He is also Deputy Chief Coroner in Ontario.

Under the theme “Light, Learning and Liberty,” The UWI Toronto Benefit Gala brings together Canada’s business and academic communities to celebrate the greatness and tireless work of the honourees, and raise well needed funds for outstanding students in the Caribbean, whom otherwise would not have the chance to pursue higher learning.

Former Gala honourees include: Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Mpilo Tutu, Senator Murray Sinclair, The Honourable Mr. Justice Michael Tulloch, Professor the Honourable Renn Holness O.J., Dr. Vivian Rumbihar, Kay McConney, Wayne Purboo, GraceKennedy Limited, Dr. Shirley J. Thompson, Food For The Poor, Mr. Stephen Ames, Mr. Wesley Hall, Dr. Paul Steinbok, The Honourable Dr. Hedy Fry, P.C., M.P., Dr. the Honourable Jimmy Cliff, OM, Tessanne Chin,  Roger Mooking and Mr. David Taylor, retired boxer and undisputed heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis, The Hospital for Sick Children, Mary Anne Chambers, Dr. Upton Allen, Dr. Budhendranauth Doobay, The University of Toronto, award winning author Malcolm Gladwell, The University Health Network, Zanana Akande, The Honourable Harry Belafonte; The Right Hon. Michaëlle Jean, former Deputy Chief of Toronto police Mr. Keith L. Forde; Hon. Michael Lee-Chin, OJ; the Hon. Jean Augustine; the Hon. Justice Dr. Irving André and Dr. Karl Massiah, Senator Vivienne Poy and Mr. Charles Coffey.

In nine years, the event has awarded almost 400 scholarships. Many of the students are now practicing in their field, pursuing their dreams.

The Patron of the ninth annual Gala is The G. Raymond Chang Family (wife Donette Chin-Loy Chang, and children Andrew Chang and Brigette Chang Addorisio).

Please visit our website www.uwitorontogala.com, or call 416-214-7848 or email the secretariat [email protected], for more information.

About The University of the West Indies
The University of the West Indies was established in 1948 as a College of the University of London. It achieved full university status in 1962. Today it is the only pan-Caribbean tertiary level institution offering a wide array of diverse and accredited programmes to 45,000 students throughout the region, with campuses in Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Anguilla, Antigua, The Bahamas, Belize, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Turks and Caicos.

Over the years the UWI has also collaborated and formed MOU’s with several tertiary institutions in Canada and some of the UWI’s graduates have also received honours from Canadian universities.

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