US travel advisory plays havoc with educational conference participation

THE LEVEL 3 travel advisory placed against Jamaica by the United States Department of State has affected participation in an educational conference opening today in Jamaica and running until April 26.

Some 30 students from New York-area schools, who were slated to travel to Jamaica to present their projects worked on with Jamaican student counterparts, were not cleared by the relevant school authority in New York to travel to Jamaica because of the level-3 travel advisory.

At the same time, of 227 principals and superintendents who had originally signalled their intention to participate in the conference, only 134 will be arriving in Jamaica for the conference.

Conference coordinator Dr Damion Kenwood told The Gleaner that, because of the level-3 advisory placed against Jamaica by the Department of State, he has had to be reassuring participants that it is very safe to travel to the island.

He said students from New Yorkarea schools will instead present virtually because they were not cleared to travel to Jamaica.

“We had already purchased tickets for these students, but they were not cleared to visit Jamaica because of the level-3 travel advisory. I know the students were disappointed not to receive clearance, but they will still present their projects virtually,” he said.

The conference, to be held on the campus of the University of Technology in St Andrew, is being put on by 21st Century Education in conjunction with the Ministry of Education and Youth, the Jamaica Teachers’ Association, New York City Department of Education, New York University, and has as its theme ‘STEM Innovators: Igniting Collaboration Across Borders’.

J’CANS FILLING GAP

The organisers of the conference were hoping to have some 500 international educators at the ‘Future Ready’ educational conference from April 22-26.

Kenwood said the conference would have over 500 participants as the number is being made up through participation from Jamaican educators.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness will address the conference on Wednesday at the UTech campus.

Overseas participants at the conference will also visit some six Corporate Area schools as part of the programme.

‘STEM Innovators: Igniting Collaboration Across Borders’ is an exceptional programme that fosters global connections and empowers students from various high schools in New York City and various high schools in Jamaica. In an era defined by the COVID19 pandemic, this programme takes on greater significance as it brings together diverse partner groups to collaborate and address some of the world’s most pressing challenges. Through collaborative STEM projects focused on cybersecurity, artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, virtual reality (VR), smart city solutions, and the global forecast of the Bitcoin exchange market, students will develop crucial skills while creating innovative solutions with global impact.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS

The programme involves various partner groups, each composed of a New York City high school and a Jamaican high school. These partner groups will collaborate closely, leveraging their diverse perspectives, cultural backgrounds, and expertise to tackle complex problems. By working together, students will not only broaden their understanding of different cultures but also develop essential skills in communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. This type of collaborative learning enables students to go beyond traditional boundaries and find creative solutions to the most challenging issues faced by our global society, according to the programme document.

STEM Innovators aims to develop a range of critical skills among participating students. Through independent study and collaborative group work, students will enhance their research abilities, critical thinking, problemsolving, and creativity. These skills are essential for the future workforce, where adaptability, innovation, and global awareness are increasingly valued. By immersing themselves in STEM disciplines and collaborating on real-world projects, students will cultivate the skills necessary to excel in their academic and professional journeys.

The STEM Innovators programme not only prepares students for the challenges of today, but also equips them with the skills needed to thrive in the future global workforce. As automation, AI, and technology continue to reshape industries and job markets, there is an increasing demand for individuals who can navigate complex problems, think critically, and collaborate across borders. By participating in this programme, students develop not only technical expertise, but also crucial soft skills such as communication, teamwork, and adaptability. These skills are highly sought after by employers who value individuals capable of collaborating effectively in multicultural and diverse environments.