Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer 

#TurksandCaicos#Canada, February 14th, 2024 – Following a tour of nine Canadian Colleges the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College has secured partnerships that will allow its students to take semesters abroad. #TurksandCaicos#Canada

“We have established partnerships with the College of the Rockies, Nova Scotia Community College and New Brunswick Community College to support faculty mobility and student exchange programs,” said Candice Williams, President of the TCICC.  

Williams explained that the deals had been struck on a collaborative mission tour, fully sponsored by Global Affairs Canada. The exchange program will be funded through the Emerging Leaders of the Americas Program (ELAP).

“Once selected, eligible students will have the opportunity to attend the chosen Canadian institution for a semester,” Williams said.

For years the Turks and Caicos has struggled with its students choosing to be schooled overseas and eventually settling there, expanding the diaspora but contributing to worker shortages at home. 

TCICC has a mandate to make sure the college is the first choice locally, regionally and globally for students.  Now the institution is providing an overseas experience that allows residents to study abroad but return home promptly.

ELAP is a program sponsored by the government of Canada which aims to ‘support the development of human capital and the next generation of leaders in the Americas while strengthening the linkages between post-secondary institutions in Canada and the Americas.’ 

The Turks and Caicos is an eligible country, and having now secured student exchange partnerships that waive tuition, as required by the Canadian government, successful applicants will be flown to Canada for four months.

 An $8,200 CA grant will be awarded to participants according to the Canadian government website to help with their expenses. 

Williams announced that the administration was also laying the foundation to introduce four year administration courses and nursing courses. 

“This strategic initiative reflects our commitment to expanding educational opportunities,” she promised. 

Williams was speaking at a January 30th press conference to announce changes to the executive leadership of the college.