Barbados’ presence will be felt for the first time at this year’s Australian International Education Conference (AIEC) when Jeffery Broomes, principal of Alexandra School, heads “down under” for the annual event being held at the Sydney Convention Centre from October 13 to 16.
The trip, which is being supported by Saint Peter’s Bay, will see Broomes as the only Caribbean representative participating in the largest international education conference in the Asia Pacific region and one of the pre-eminent international education conferences in the world.
Bjorn Bjerkhamn, chairman of Saint Peter's Bay Development, presents Jeffery Broomes, principal of the Alexandra School, with a cheque towards his trip to Australia for the Australian International Education Conference 2009.
It is expected to attract over 1 300 Australian and international delegates working in higher, secondary, English language and vocational education, government and non-government agencies, the corporate sector and multilateral funding agencies.
Broomes expressed his gratitude to Saint Peter’s Bay for its continued support, stressing that the information gathered from the conference will be very useful as educators across the world deal with the transitions in modern teaching and learning.
“The AIEC 2009 will focus on the likely impact of these changes, including the opportunities they present and the transformations required to succeed. Some of the key features of the conference include an International Education Research Forum.
“There will also be a Country Forum designed to highlight key developments and emerging opportunities for the international education industry within particular regions, as well as a range of specially designed workshops and sessions aimed at providing delegates with the most up-to-date information on issues affecting the industry and their sector,” Broomes explained.
He added that topics for this conference include policy and research; the student experience; transnational education; student mobility; marketing and recruitment; teaching and learning; people and professional development.
Chairman of Saint Peter’s Bay, Bjorn Bjerkhamn, explained that the contribution was in keeping with the company’s commitment to Alexandra School, noting that it was such activities that help to propel the school, its teachers and students.
“We are proud of Mr. Broomes’ contribution to the school and education in general. We understand and appreciate the importance of such events and are placing our support behind him because we are confident that whatever information and knowledge is gained from the conference will be extremely beneficial,” Bjerkhamn said.
The Saint Peter’s Bay luxury residential community is nearing completion and will be launching sales this December. The company adopted Alexandra School three years ago and continues to support the school as well as other causes in St. Peter where the community is located.