A multi-divisional leadership team from the international eLearning provider Coursera, visited Barbados this week as part of the ongoing collaboration with the National Transformation Initiative (NTI), with a focus on strengthening partnerships, aligning with national priorities and enhancing the learning experience for Barbadians.
The visiting team included Chad Pasha, Head of North America & Caribbean, Coursera for Campus & Government; Zach Bookman, Senior Customer Success Manager, Coursera for Government; Jennifer Campbell, Account Director, Coursera for Campus; and Geoff Koch, Solutions Consultant, Coursera for Campus.
During the visit, engagements were centred on strengthening how learning is delivered, experienced and applied across Barbados’ education and training ecosystem.
Meetings were held with key tertiary and training institutions, including the Barbados Vocational Training Board (BVTB), Technical and Vocational Education and Training Council (TVET), Samuel Jackman Prescod Institute (SJPI), Erdiston Teachers’ Training College, Barbados Community College (BCC), and the Barbados Institute of Management and Productivity (BIMAP). Discussions focused on exploring and enhancing existing programmes through the integration of industry-recognised certifications from organisations such as Google, IBM and Meta, with the aim of expanding the qualifications students earn while improving the relevance and quality of their learning experience.
In addition, conversations explored opportunities for curriculum modernisation, expanded access to learning, student empowerment and enfranchisement and the use of NTI-Coursera to support continuous professional development for faculty and staff across these institutions.
Meetings were also held with the Minister with responsibility for Technological and Vocational Training, Sandra Husbands and Minister with responsibility for The Public Service and Talent Development, Kay McConney, alongside representatives from the Barbados Accreditation Council. These discussions focused on aligning learning pathways with national priorities, including the expansion of structured upskilling initiatives for public servants and increased engagement through platforms such as the 21st Century Educators’ Hub and the MPS elearning hub. The Barbados Accredition Council continues to support the national efforts to recognise and validate microcredentials as a part of the overall national mandate for upskilling. This will include discipline specific micro credential changes in U.S. accreditation standards and Coursera industry content reviewed by the American Council on Education (Accreditation Body) to ensure Babadians benefit.
The visit included continued engagement with the NTI team to chart next steps for collaboration, a visit to the Hope Agricultural Training Institute that will be elevating their offerings in Agriculture and Agribusiness using the latest digital technologies and participation in the Ideas Forum held at the Alexandra School, which brought together residents from St. Lucy, St. Peter, St. Thomas, and St. Joseph. This provided an opportunity to hear directly from communities and gain insight into the priorities shaping national development.
Since the launch of the NTI-Coursera partnership, Barbadians have gained access to over 20,000 free online courses from leading global institutions. The visit builds on this foundation by focusing on how learners are supported throughout their journey, from initial access to completion and application.
“At NTI, we are not only focused on expanding access to learning, but on how people experience that journey and who it allows them to become. Transformation begins with mindset, but it must be supported by opportunities for developing skillsets that are relevant, accessible and responsive to the realities people face,” said Dr. The Hon. Allyson Leacock, Director of NTI. “As a country, if we are serious about growth and resilience, we have to continuously strengthen how we equip our people with the skills to adapt and thrive in a way that resonates, is relevant to their needs and allows them to thrive. These partnerships allow us to keep building in that direction.”
As Barbados continues to navigate an evolving global economy, the partnership between NTI and Coursera remains focused on equipping citizens with the tools, skills, and mindset needed to adapt and grow.
