THE ECONOMIC BENEFITS of developing Barbados as an education hub for international students have been touted by the Barbados Coalition of Services Industries (BCSI).
Programme officer of the BCSI Meshia Clarke said the international student market is a growing industry and Barbados stands to benefit from viewing education as an economic priority area for development and investment rather than a social good.
Citing market research done by the Centennial University in Canada which shows that in 2010 international students contributed $8 billion to the Canadian economy and over 8 000 jobs, Clarke said focus in that area has the potential to develop the same type of economic benefits that it did for Canada.
Today at a Press conference held at the BCSI office, executive director Lisa Cummins and managing director of the Student Centre Sheena Alleyne signed a memorandum of understanding to formalise the Education as Big Business Initiative under which the two entities will be working to bring more international students to study in Barbados.Â
It will also create the opportunity for Barbadian students to access education at international institutions and develop the skills sets that are relevant to the local job market as well as create niche market areas. (LK)
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