U-Report Barbados signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the
Student Guild of the Barbados Community College (BCC) on 18th
February 2022.
The signing, which took place at the College on Howell’s Road, St.
Michael was attended by Guild President, Charlene Forde, other elected Guild
members, the U-Report Project Coordinator, Firhaana Bulbulia and members of the
U-Report Steering Committee Cyndi Marshall and Khadija Bakharia.
The signing of the MOU signaled the commitment of both entities to
work together for the benefit of students and the positive development of
Barbados. Through the partnership, U-Report Barbados and the BCC Student Guild
will collaborate on outreach activities to increase awareness on U-Report,
encourage students to become U-Reporters and provide opportunities for students
to become more involved in issues of national development.
Ashlee Sargeant, student journalist at BCC’s online newspaper, The
Wallpaper shared:
“U-Report provides students
with the platform to share their thoughts on the pressing issues and monumental
events affecting them and their livelihoods. The information is collected via
online polls and then subsequently shared with decision-makers. This is done
with the hopes of furthering the conversation and aiding in the development of
today’s youth.”
Building
on several activities which were conducted last year through the efforts of the
former Guild President Tyrell Payne, this MOU seeks to formalize the relationship
between both entities and is part of U-Report’s ongoing effort to engage
student movements. This signing follows the recent MOU signing with the
University of the West Indies Guild of Students which took place in October
2021.
Guild President, Charlene Forde relayed her excitement at joining
forces with U-Report Barbados by sharing:
“There are many
opportunities students at the college can gain by becoming U-Reporters, through
U-Report students can be part of a positive movement for change. We will also
selecting students to be U-Ambassadors. This is a special opportunity to gain
training and skills and be highlighted as leaders.”
She further shared her commitment to ensuring the long-term
success of the partnership by explaining:
“The MOU will be for the duration of the current Guild Executive term, however, however, we will encourage the next elected guild to continue the partnership as it proves to have long-term benefits for the college and the community.”
In the upcoming weeks, U-Report Barbados together with the BCC Guild of Students will host campus outreach activities and share further details on how students can engage with U-Report and become U-Ambassadors.
Writer: Johnash Tocel
Johnash Tocel is a member of the U-Report Barbados Steering Committee and is the Lead for Research and Poll Development.
