Barbados and India talk cooperation

WAYS IN WHICH this country and India could cooperate were high on the agenda recently, when High Commissioner of India, Subashini Murugesan, met with Minister of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Ronald Jones.

During the meeting, which took place at the Minister’s office, Elsie Payne Complex, Constitution Road, St Michael, the High Commissioner explained that her country offered a number of scholarships each year through its Indian Technical Economic Programme, where Barbadian civil servants can train in a variety of areas, including Information Technology, Management and Financial Management.

She also pointed out that experts from India could be flown to Barbados to facilitate a “trainer of trainers” programme in specific areas, depending on the needs of the country.

The Minister of Education welcomed Murugesan to his Ministry and noted that such cooperation in the area of education would be welcomed.  He gave an overview of the education sector at the tertiary level, focusing on the newest offshore medical school – the American University of Barbados School of Medicine.

Discussions also took place on the need for more training opportunities for medical students studying at the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, and the possibility of such students interning in India as the Queen Elizabeth Hospital was unable to accommodate all applicants for spaces there. 

Issues related to agriculture and food security, science, technology and innovation also came under the microscope.  (BGIS)