#Providenciales, November 1, 2019 – Turks and Caicos – PThe Premier Hon. Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson signed a Declaration on Ocean during the Overseas Countries and Territories (OCT) Association’s Conference on Oceans held in Brussels, Belgium on the 16 – 17 October 2019. Turks and Caicos Islands made representation at the Conference with the ceremonial signing of the OCT Declaration on Ocean as part of the two-day event.
The
Overseas Countries and Territories associated with the European Union are
largely oceanic territories. Their existence and their survival are inseparably
linked to Oceans for food, livelihoods, water, oxygen, climate, socio-economic
growth, culture and tourism. The Turks and Caicos Islands depends very heavily
on Oceans for similar reasons; sourcing food, jobs for locals and largely as an
attraction to millions of visitors to the Islands per year. To ensure that
TCI’s Oceans are protected, maintained and ensure the collection of data to
assist with sustainability research and conservation efforts, the Declaration
was signed.
The OCT
Declaration on Ocean which aims to promote sustainable natural resources,
conservation of biodiversity and management of oceans was developed with four
(4) main objectives: –
1) To conserve and
sustainably use the environmental value of Oceans
2) Foster the economic
value of Oceans and support a sustainable Blue Economy
3) Stimulate the social
value of Oceans
4) Develop regional,
European, global and inter-OCTs collaboration, with the support of
Member-States having a link with OCTs to:
a) take a harmonised
regional and territorial approach to improve the maritime monitoring (illegal
fishing, pollutants, etc) using common protocols and shared technology while
recognising the differences between the OCT’s marine areas;
b) Cooperate between
OCTs in marine research and innovation;
c) Promte human and
institutional capacity to advance ocean governance and management by OCTs;
d) Capitalise effors by
a coordinated involvement in international fora and act as embassador for
Oceans;
e) Optimise the use of
available EU funding, with a particular view on new opportunities that will be
available in the EU programme post 2020 which are of interest of Oceans and
OCTs;
f) Keep abreast with
European policy developments when appropriate, with a view of getting involved
in future initiatives for Oceans.
With growing human populations
and activities, Oceans are suffering from pollution, overexploitation, coastal
degradation and the effects of climate change. Warmer seas temperatues,
increased intensity of storms, rising sea levels, loss of biodiversity, coral
bleaching, ocean acidification and significant increased pollution by plastics
are all major issues threathening the sustinability of our Oceans and can have
an impact on human health.
The Turks and Caicos Islands
increasingly moving toward a greener more environmentally conscious lifestyle,
through its enacted Ban on single use plastics and the impending ban on the
importation of polystyrenes along with noteworthy investment in research and
data collection by TCIG to properly manage and govern the use of our marine
environment and the protection of our coast lines has been a heavy focus for
TCI Government.
The signing of this Declaration
ensures that TCI remains compliant with international conservation standards
and best pratices and that the country has access to the most recent data and
technologies in the region that can inform and boost the sustainable use of our
natural resources.
More than 15 OCTs signed the
OCT Declaration on Ocean, the Turks and Caicos Islands included. The Overseas
Countries and Territories Association (OCTA) with the support of the European
Commission, organised the Conference on Oceans chaired by Prime Minister of
Curaçao, M. Rhuggenaath. Panellists included four Members of the European
Parliament, representatives of several Directorates General of the European
Commission, representatives of the Member States to which OCTs are associated
and political delegations from 21 OCTs.
The OCTAssociation is a non-profit organization operating out of Belgium and has 22 members – including inhabited OCTs and TAAF (French Southern and Atlantic Lands). Its highest decision-making authority is the Ministerial Conference which consists of the representatives (Political Heads of Government or delegates) of each member Government.
The Ministry of Health and Human Services proudly announces the successful launch of the Electronic Patient Care Report (ePCR), marking a historic milestone in emergency healthcare services. The official unveiling ceremony took place on March 12, 2024 at the Atrium conference room.
In attendance were distinguished dignitaries, including Deputy Premier and Minister of Physical Planning and Infrastructure Development, Honourable Jamell Robinson; Minister of Health and Human Services, Honourable Shaun D. Malcolm; Minister of Tourism, Environment, Maritime, Culture, Heritage and Religious Affairs, Honourable Josephine Connolly; Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Library Services, Honourable Rachel Taylor; the Minister of Immigration and Border Services, Honourable Arlington Musgrove; and the Permanent Secretary of Health, Mrs Desiree Lewis, who recognized the significance of the ePCR system in promoting public health and safety. Their presence underscored the government’s unwavering commitment to investing in healthcare infrastructure and technological advancements to better serve the needs of the population. Thus reaffirming their support for initiatives aimed at improving emergency healthcare services and strengthening the National Emergency Medical Service’s capabilities.
During the launch event, the Minister of Health and Human Services highlighted the transformative impact of the ePCR system on patient care and emergency response efforts. Emphasizing the importance of innovation in healthcare, the Minister expressed gratitude to the dedicated team of professionals who contributed to the development and implementation of the ground breaking technology. The Deputy Premier praised the collaborative efforts of all stakeholders involved in the development and implementation of the ePCR system, affirming its potential to revolutionize emergency medical services especially the pre-hospital management of citizens and visitors across the country.
The Director of Emergency Medical Services, Mr. Andy Brijmohansingh, spoke passionately about the importance of embracing technology to advance patient care. “The introduction of the Electronic Patient Care Report marks a new chapter in our commitment to providing high-quality emergency medical services,” said Mr Brijmohansingh. “This innovative system empowers our teams with the tools they need to deliver swift and effective care, while ensuring that patient information is accurately captured and securely shared.”
The Electronic Patient Care Report (ePCR) represents a significant advancement in the National Ambulance Service’s mission to deliver efficient and high-quality emergency medical care to citizens across the nation. Developed with cutting-edge technology and meticulous attention to detail, the ePCR system streamlines the documentation process, enhances communication, and ensures the seamless transfer of patient information between emergency responders and healthcare facilities.
The launch of the Electronic Patient Care Report marks a new chapter in the evolution of emergency medical services, promising enhanced efficiency, accuracy, and patient outcomes. With its implementation, the National Emergency Medical Services reaffirms its dedication to providing timely and effective care to individuals in their time of need.
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 6th March, 2024– The Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports and Social Services would like to announce the launch of the 2024 scholarship application season which opens on March 11th 2024. This initiative offers invaluable opportunities for Turks and Caicos Islanders to apply for scholarship opportunities within the Ministry’s priority areas. For more information on our priority areas please visit our website at https://gov.tc/scholarshipsecretariat
Estimated awards within each award category as follows: –
Standard Financial Assistance ………………………………………………….(55) including:
Explanatory notes in the link provided above outlines the criteria for each award category.
Our new application method
Our new application method for financial assistance marks a departure from traditional email or paper submissions; all applications must now be submitted exclusively through tcig-nefa.grantplatform.com/. Utilizing the Good Grants platform, an internationalized grant-making platform, applicants can easily apply online by clicking the provided link.
Dates
Application deadline: 30th May, 2024 at [11:59 pm] [EST]
Please note the application deadline, this date is final and there will be no extensions provided for the initial submission. The system will automatically prevent application submission after the deadline.
There is an extension date for the below documents IF NECESSARY up to June 30th.
Acceptance Letter
Transcript
Successful applicants will be notified in early August 2024.
Support
If you have any questions about the application process, please contact the Scholarship Secretariat Unit by email to [scholarshipsecretariat@tciedu.tc]. DO NOT SEND APPLICATION SUBMISSION TO THIS ADDRESS.
You may edit your application after submitting, up until the deadline date.
Please make sure all your personal details are entered accurately, including contact details, so that we may contact you if your application is successful.
You are allowed to submit to more than one category, as long as the work submitted meets the criteria. However you can only be awarded 1 award.
You can use the ‘copy’ feature to create a copy of your application and change the category as required.
The Department of Special Education Needs Services (SENS) has marked a significant milestone in its journey towards enhancing services for exceptional learners through its participation in the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) 2024 Convention and Expo, held in San Antonio, Texas March 12th to 16th 2024. This event, renowned for its dedication to advancing the field of special education, provided a platform for our team to immerse themselves in a wealth of knowledge and resources.
The convention, with a rich history of fostering collaboration and innovation, focused on sensitizing attendees to global initiatives in special education. Our team, consisting of four professionals from the Department of Special Education Needs Services; Mrs. Paulette Simmons – Special Education Teacher at SNAP Center, Jamiliyah Jordan – Speech and Language Pathologist, Christina Joseph – Behavioural Analyst, Lashaunda Skippings – Coordinator of Assessments and one representative from the Department of Education, Mrs. Faaida James – Special Education Officer benefited immensely from four days of information-packed workshops, networking opportunities, and exposure to cutting-edge assistive technologies and programs.
CEC 2024 Convention and Expo has been a driving force in shaping the landscape of special education. Each year, it gathers professionals, researchers, and advocates to exchange ideas, share best practices, and explore innovative solutions to support individuals with exceptional needs.
Lashaunda Skippings, Coordinator of Assessments, and a part of the team, shared her thoughts on the convention, stating, “ The CEC 2024 Convention exceeded my anticipations. It was incredibly enlightening and stimulated thoughtful reflection. I am grateful for the openness of presenters who shared their exemplary practices in Special Education, that address the needs of students with disabilities globally.”
Dr. Anya Malcolm, Director of Special Education Needs Services, expressed her excitement about the department’s progress, stating, “The thrill that fills the department and the parents as initiatives in Special Education Needs falls into place remarkably is tangible. We are dedicated to utilizing the knowledge and experiences gained from events like CEC 2024 to further enhance our services and support for exceptional learners.”
Hon. Rachel Taylor, Minister of Education, Youth, Sports, and Social Services, expressed her commendation for the Department of Special Education Needs Services, stating, “I commend the Department of Special Education Needs Services for their unwavering dedication and proactive stance in participating in the CEC 2024 Convention and Expo. The Ministry acknowledges the pivotal role of such initiatives in elevating the standards of special education services and fostering the comprehensive development of exceptional learners nationwide.”
The Department of Special Education Needs Services remains committed to its mission of providing comprehensive and inclusive support to individuals with special needs. Through continuous learning, collaboration, and innovation, we strive to create a nurturing environment where every exceptional learner can thrive.
For more information about the Department of Special Education Needs Services and its initiatives, please contact sens@gov.tc.