We are delighted to share that Mrs. Tawney Bennett and Mrs. Karolina Norris represented TBLS at the 2025 Association of Caribbean Tertiary Institutions (ACTI) Conference, hosted by the University College of the Cayman Islands from March 25–28. Their presentation, The Role of Online and Experiential Learning in Advancing Social Mobility and Sustainable Higher Education in the Caribbean, explored the transformative potential of online and experiential learning in breaking down barriers to social mobility, addressing access inequalities, and fostering regional collaboration.
A key proposal of their paper was the integration of micro credentials into Caribbean higher education. These short, targeted learning experiences would allow students and professionals to gain specific skills aligned with workforce needs, enhancing employability and lifelong learning opportunities. By offering stackable micro credentials in areas such as legal drafting, business administration, and sustainability, institutions could collectively create flexible pathways to qualifications, making education more accessible and responsive to industry demands.
They also emphasized the growing need for online experiential learning initiatives that bridge the gap between academic knowledge and practical skills. These initiatives promote authentic learning experiences by allowing students to engage with real-world challenges in a digital space, fostering critical thinking, problem-solving and digital literacy. Moreover, integrating experiential learning into online platforms enhances accessibility and scalability, enabling students from diverse backgrounds and locations to benefit from hands-on learning opportunities without traditional barriers to participation.
The ACTI Conference, themed Re-imagining Higher Education – Impacting Economic & Social Transformation in the Caribbean, brought together educators, policymakers, and industry leaders to discuss key issues such as artificial intelligence in the Caribbean, operational optimization in higher education, and sustainability-driven innovation.
“We congratulate Mrs. Bennett and Mrs. Norris on their impactful contribution to the ongoing conversation on the future of higher education in the Caribbean,” said Mr. Davies.