BTVI president to represent institution at leaders conference

BTVI president to represent institution at leaders conference
BTVI President Dr Robert W Robertson.

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — As the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI) prepares to participate in the Emerging Leaders in the Americas Program (ELAP) Collaboration Mission, BTVI President Dr. Robert W Robertson said he will explore more options for students to study in Canada through the ELAP’s scholarship program.

Robertson will represent the institution at the 13th edition of the collaborative mission, which will be held virtually this year due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

According to officials, the virtual format will allow for “unprecedented geographic diversification” and the inclusion of Canadian institutions.

In a statement, Robertson said he looks forward to representing BTVI and developing relationships that will create more opportunities for students.

“I am pleased to be invited to participate in this virtual event to explore opportunities and challenges facing technical and vocational institutions in Canada and the Americas in this new digital environment,” he said in a statement.

“Also, I will be exploring more options for our students to study in Canada through the ELAP scholarship program.”

The upcoming event will prioritize the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) member states and technical and vocational institutions.

The collaboration mission is a key feature of ELAP, one of Global Affairs Canada’s Student Exchange Programs that offers over 450 scholarships per year to students to pursue short-term study and research exchanges at Canadian colleges and universities.

Each year, senior officials of post-secondary institutions from various countries in Latin America and the Caribbean participate in the event to network and develop stronger ties in education.

The goal of the mission is for institutions in eligible countries to sign partnership agreements with Canadian institutions leading to increased bilateral student mobility and joint research projects.

In the past 11 years, over 30 BTVI students have been sent to colleges abroad on ELAP scholarships.