2nd Annual High Commissioner’s Student Ambassadors Programme

PRESS RELEASE

2^nd Annual High Commissioner’s Student Ambassadors Programme

27^th January 2018… On Saturday,27^th January 2018, High Commissioner Karen-Mae Hill, welcomed the second cohort Antiguan and Barbudan students studying in the United Kingdom to the High Commissioner’s Student Ambassadors Programme, an initiative she conceived and launched in November 2016. The Student Ambassadors Programme aims to not only connect and build relationships among Antiguan and Barbudan students living in the United Kingdom, but also to provide an avenue for students to network with specially invited professionals in areas of potential interest.

The programme exposes students to useful information about scholarship opportunities, internships, housing, health and safety and about the Antigua and Barbuda diaspora associations in the United Kingdom. High Commissioner Hill was keen to point out that the Student Ambassadors Programme is not limited to a single event. It will provide opportunities for students to be involved in specially selected programmes and activities throughout the academic year. She stated: ‘What I conceptualised was a programme that continuously aims to empower our students during their time in the UK by enhancing their overall experience not only in their academic pursuits, but in equipping them for employment in a very modern, fast paced world”.

The 2018 students were treated to a carefully planned agenda of diverse presentations that sought to cover three (3) thematic areas:

• An introduction to the National Associations, where they heard from the Antigua and Barbuda Nationals Association (ABNA) London, represented by vice president Maxine Isaac and the Waltham Forest Antigua and Barbuda & Dominica Twinning Association, represented by vice president  Sharon Foster;

• Student Advice and tips for living in the UK which sought to give the students, especially those who are new to the United Kingdom, advice on health and safety and other general settling in tips and;

• Professional Development opportunities where we share information on accessing scholarships, apprentice and internship opportunities from organisations such as the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission, the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Antigua and Barbuda High Commission.

During the Programme’s closing, Minister-Counsellor Mrs. Althea Vanderpoole- Banahene expressed her pride in seeing the enthusiasm and exuberance displayed by our academics and  encouraged them to ‘ remain active and committed to always seeking out the best in all of their endeavours, and to remember that everywhere you go you are representing Antigua and Barbuda’.

Also present at this year’s programme was a group of Antiguan and Barbudan students studying at Steyning Grammar School who raised and donated over £5000.00 to the Barbuda Relief Effort in November 2017. The day finished with a reception and networking session.