Minister Carty meets with government officials, academicians and local students in Taiwan

BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, APRIL 23RD 2012 (CUOPM) – Talks aimed at sending St. Kitts and Nevis students to Taiwan for vocational and technical training have been explored by the Federation’s Minister of Education, Sen. the Hon. Nigel Carty. The Education Minister and his Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Ione Liburd-Willet and Taipei-based St. Kitts and Nevis Ambassador to the Republic of China (Taiwan) held discussions with His Excellency Dr. Wei-Ling Chiang Ph.D., Minister of Education in the Republic of China (Taiwan) during his visit to that country on Tuesday April 17,2012.

(left to right) Meng-Liang Tsai, Director; Hon. Nigel Carty, Minister of Education and Information; Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Ionie Liburd- Willett and Ambassador, Her Excellency, Ms. Jasmine Huggins at the Central Training Center in Taichung.

During the meeting, Minister Carty discussed the possibility of corporation programmes with the Ministry of Education in Taiwan, particularly in the field of vocational and technical training. “We have identified a gap in our educational system as it relates to vocational and technical training and would wish to explore the possibility of developing partnerships with your country to assist us in developing that sector through scholarships or teacher training or through any other method that would be mutually beneficial,” Minister Carty mentioned. In response, Minister Chiang stated that his Ministry was ready to assist in whatever manner deemed appropriate by the both sides, including awarding more scholarships to students from St. Kitts and Nevis.

Minister Carty also met with principal Hsu of the National Taichung Industrial High School and toured the institution which has become one of the premier industrial high schools in Taiwan. Additionally, while visiting the Central Training Center, Bureau of Employment and Vocational Training, Minister Carty exchanged ideas with the Director of the Center about possible training for citizens from the Federation. Minister Carty also held discussions with President Yao of National Taipei University of Technology who was enthusiastic about collaborating with the St. Kitts and Nevis Ministry of Education through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Taiwan to bring students to his university for further education. President Yao also mentioned the possibility of teacher training at the University.

During a visit to Taiwan’s Public Television Service, and Radio Taiwan International (RTI), Minister Carty, who is also Minister of Information, used the opportunity to speak about the TVET program and the early childhood program in the Federation. RTI will air an interview with Minister Carty later this month.

Prior to his departure from Taipei, Minister Carty also met with students from the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis studying in Taiwan.

Minister of Education, Sen. the Hon. Nigel Carty (fifth from left), Ambassador Her Excellency Ms. Jasmine Huggins and with some of the Kittitian and Nevisian students studying in Taiwan.