Caymanian students in London meet premier
Students with Premier Alden McLaughlin and the government delegation
(CNS Local Life): More than 40 Caymanian students spent an evening in London with Premier Alden McLaughlin, on Saturday, 2 December, an annual event held at the Cayman Islands Government Offices in Mayfair. For more than 10 years, the office has honoured the tradition of Cayman students getting together in London before the Christmas holidays, and this year’s event was the largest yet.
The size of this event, hosted by the premier, is a result of the efforts of the Cayman Islands Government and the Cayman Student Ambassadors of Cayman Connection UK (CCUK) who ensure that Caymanians in the UK are connected and receiving support and encouragement during their time away from home, stated a press release.
The event marks the end of a week of meetings and events for McLaughlin and his delegation from Cayman, which included Minister of Financial Services and Home Affairs Tara Rivers, Senior Political Advisor to the Premier Roy Tatum and Senior Political Advisor to the Cabinet Office Jason Webster. Also in attendance was the Cayman Islands Governor Designate, Anwar Choudhury.
Kate Kandiah, who runs the CCUK network, welcomed everyone and thanked the Cayman Islands Government for hosting the event. She provided updates about CCUK including introductions of the new team of Cayman student ambassadors, new features on the CCUK website, mentor and networking programmes and a reminder to the students of how to get involved.
McLaughlin followed by updating the students on government affairs in Cayman and encouraging all in their studies. Rivers advised students on how to speak confidently to peers on the topic of the Cayman Islands as a financial centre and how to make informed responses to attacks about misconceptions of the Cayman Islands’ tax jurisdiction.
The talks ended with Choudhury commenting that he was looking forward to beginning his post as Governor of the Cayman Islands next year and ensuring the students that he stands ready to assist them wherever possible.
Kandiah said of the event: “I am always encouraged to see so many new faces at these events; this year we welcomed over 10 new students who had not been to this event in previous years. This shows that our message of support for Cayman students in the UK is being heard.
“I am delighted to have had such a wonderful response. I commend the Cayman Islands Government for their increasing efforts to help young Caymanians get the absolute best from their tertiary education, and for their continued support for the students while they are far from home.”
Category: Education
Could have used that support and encouragement when I was in London going through culture shock. The office did nothing other than host this party and keep a list of students in the UK. Positions to help at the office were not advertised. No other events took place. There was in fact no communication at all after the party. I hope this is really, actually changing and not just talk.
Like lambs having dinner with the wolf. What’s even more unfortunate is, when they get back home, they won’t be able to get any jobs.