Friday, December 11 – Premier Honourable Ralph T. O’Neal, OBE this week held an informal meeting with more than 30 Virgin Islands students and residents currently in the United Kingdom (UK).
The meeting facilitated by Director of the London Office, Mr. Kedrick Malone, was also attended by Territorial Representative Honourable Irene Penn O’Neal, Financial Secretary Mr. Neil Smith, Executive Director of the International Finance Centre, Ms. Sherry Ortiz, Assistant Secretary in the Premier’s Office Ms. Najan Christopher and Personal Assistant to the Premier, Ms. Marsha Gumbs, who are accompanying the Premier on his current trip to London.
At the meeting Premier O’Neal reminisced about his own student days at Oxford University and some of the difficulties he encountered which persuaded him that the establishment of BVI House as a place where students and residents can gather was important. He pointed out that BVI House also serves as a focal point where BVIslanders needing assistance can turn and noted too that in recent years, the number of BVIslanders pursuing education or seeking medical assistance in the UK has risen.
The Premier also updated those present on the East End Harbour Development Project and what the Government hopes to achieve in that community by broadening the economic base and creating new opportunities for community members.
Honourable O’Neal also commented on the status of the Peebles Hospital project and what the completion of the new hospital will mean for BVIslanders was also raised by the Premier who took the opportunity to discuss the Territory’s human resource needs.
He told the students, “We need young people like yourselves to pursue further education in a number of fields such as medicine, architecture, engineering and teaching and then return to the Territory to contribute to its future development.”
The Premier explained that education was one of government’s priorities because it recognised the personnel needs that follow the completion of major projects and also recognised the need for the BVI to remain competitive in a number of areas. “We are making that investment in education and in you because we know we need you and the skills and talents you possess,” Honourable O’Neal said.
The students present expressed their immense gratitude to have been afforded an opportunity to meet with the Premier and his delegation and to hear specifically about government’s commitment to education.
There are currently more than 50 BVI students in the UK, the majority of whom are studying law. Other areas of study include accounting, business management, information technology and civil engineering.
Premier O’Neal and the other members of the BVI delegation return to the Territory today.
The BVI London Office was established in 2002 and also serves as headquarters for official visits to the UK/European region and supports Virgin Islanders living and studying in Britain. The BVI London Office falls under the management of the Premier’s Office.
British Virgin Islands News