AUTHORS’ FORUM ON WEDNESDAY 23rd APRIL 2025
SEVERAL AUTHORS TO PRESENT UNIQUE PERSPECTIVES ON TOPICAL ISSUES AT CFBC’s 5th AUTHORS’ FORUM ON WEDNESDAY 23rd APRIL 2025
Basseterre, St. Kitts: Several authors are set to present unique and inspiring perspectives on a number of topical issues when the Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College (CFBC) hosts its fifth edition of Authors’ Forum “In Celebration of Books” on Wednesday, 23rd April 2025 at 5:00 pm in the Poinciana Conference Room at the college’s main campus on Burdon Street, Basseterre.
The national auspicious literary event is being held in commemoration of World Book and Copyright Day, celebrated worldwide on 23rd April.
The event will feature a dynamic group of authors, including Jihan Williams Knight, Mirjam Schmalz, Denise E. Caesar, and Dr. Ricardo Neil.
Building on her extensive experience, Ms. Jihan Williams-Knight, an author, attorney, and social advocate from St. Kitts and Nevis, has dedicated the past two decades to empowering young people and women through creative arts and civic engagement. She currently serves as the Registrar of the Intellectual Property Office, where she crafts policies on copyright, patents, innovation, and trademark protection.
After losing her son at 26 weeks of pregnancy, she turned to writing for emotional healing and launched her self-published book, “Lifting the Weight of Miscarriage,” on what would have been his first birthday. The book, praised as “unputdownable” and “brave,” offers insights to help others navigate pregnancy loss with compassion and healing.
Additionally, Dr. Mirjam Schmalz, an independent sociolinguist, completed her PhD in English linguistics in 2021 at the University of Zurich, focusing on language attitudes in St. Kitts. In 2024, she began advising the mayor of Friedrichshafen, Germany, on social and educational topics. Her research interests include World Englishes, non-standard varieties, language attitudes, culture, and identity, with studies spanning St. Kitts, Northern England, and Switzerland. She co-edited volumes on World Englishes and serves as adjunct editor for the Caribbean section of the “Wiley Blackwell Encyclopedia of World Englishes,” while also publishing extensively on language attitudes and education.
Furthermore, Denise E. Caesar, a Kittitian by birth, is the author of “Making Married Life Easy” and “Quiet Strength.” She works as a Sales Account Executive at Cable & Wireless Business. Denise holds a Master of Science in Business Administration from the University of Wales and a Master of Business Psychology from the University of South Wales. An internationally certified Christian coach, she owns Customizesmile gift baskets and Customize Coaching and Mentoring Services (CCMS). Passionate about helping others find their purpose, Denise is a motivational speaker and poetic writer. She enjoys nature, spending time on the beach or among trees, and values her private time for prayer, reading, writing, and being with family and close friends.
Finally, Dr. Ricardo R. Neil, the Goodwill Ambassador for Science and Technology for St. Kitts and Nevis, is the Founder of the St. Kitts and Nevis Robotics Association and the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States Robotics Association. He is a Senior Lecturer at CFBC, specializing in Information Technology and Applied Sciences, and holds advanced degrees from Oxford University, MICO University, and AIU. Dr. Neil conducts research across several Caribbean countries and has authored several books, including “The Modern Voice of Artificial Intelligence: Achieving the United Nations Sustainable Goal Using Artificial Intelligence (AI).” His research focuses on robotics, humanoid technology, and artificial intelligence.
The fifth edition of the Authors’ Forum at the Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College promises to be an enriching and inspiring event. With the diverse lineup of distinguished authors sharing their unique perspectives on topical issues, attendees will undoubtedly leave with a deeper appreciation for the power of literature and its ability to foster understanding and change.
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Institutional Advancement and Strategic Development
Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College Demonstrates Significant Strides in Institutional Advancement and Strategic Development
Basseterre, St. Kitts, 27th March 2025 (CFBC) – The Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College (CFBC) is pleased to announce a period of significant advancement and strategic development under the guidance of its esteemed Board of Governors, led by Chair, Dr. Tamu Petra Browne and Deputy Chair Ms. Charisse Gumbs. Over the past two years, the College has achieved notable accomplishments across various key pillars, demonstrating its commitment to providing quality education and contributing to national development.
Holistic Human Resource Management: CFBC has made substantial progress in the area of Human Resource Management. Key achievements include the completion of a comprehensive Human Resource Audit, leading to salary upgrades and the regularization of compensation and allowances. Furthermore, the CFBC Employee Regulations are being reviewed and modernized, incorporating provisions for remote work, flex-time, paternity leave, and other contemporary practices through a collaborative effort with the Ministry of Labour. The College has also invested in its HR infrastructure through the expansion of the HR department and the implementation of an HR Management System, moving away from previously manual processes and investing in a training learning management system.
21st Century Competitive Programmes Fit for Context and Community: CFBC has expanded its programme offerings to meet the evolving needs of the community and the demands of the 21st-century workforce. Landmark initiatives include the launch of the Caribbean Center for Excellence in Research, Innovation, and Workforce Training, delivering training in critical areas such as Solar Installation and EV Maintenance. To strengthen the healthcare sector, the College has introduced a Pre-Nursing programme to create a pipeline for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing, addressing national and regional demands for highly trained nurses in alignment with government priorities. Additionally, CFBC has introduced the CXC Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) Animation and Game Design and is finalizing the Pharmacy Technician programme for launch in the upcoming Academic Year. The CFBC team is also actively pursuing strategic partnerships, including with Florida Memorial University to expand skills in the aviation sector and exploring other collaborations including Bio-Medical Engineering and Health Informatics to build local capacity in critical health-related fields. Moreover, the popular Office Administration and Management Programme is being updated to incorporate essential 21st-century skills such as data analytics and AI prompt engineering.
Accreditation and Collegiate Culture: CFBC is committed to upholding high academic standards and fostering a vibrant collegiate culture. An Accreditation sub-committee has been established at the Board level, and a gap analysis has been completed, with the operational steering committee activated to begin closing the gaps in 2025. The College has also made a significant investment in its technological infrastructure with the adoption of Canvas, a University-grade Learning Management System (LMS), which is currently being piloted across divisions to enhance online teaching and learning. Efforts are also underway to build out a collegiate athletic programme to provide opportunities for student-athletes.
The institution is committed to enhancing the student experience through technological advancement with the installation of fibre optic networks to all campuses and sustainability with the planned Phase one of the Green Campus initiative, including the installation of solar panels at the TVEMS campus in the summer of 2025. Investments have also been made in upgrading facilities, with over $89,000 spent in 2024 to upgrade the Hospitality and Culinary Arts Unit.
Looking ahead, CFBC is poised to further its impact with the completion of its Strategic Plan in collaboration with CARICAD within the first Quarter of 2025. This plan will align institutional goals with national development priorities, ensuring the College remains a key driver of innovation, workforce readiness, and sustainable growth.
These accomplishments reflect the dedication and strategic vision of the CFBC Board of Governors, faculty, and staff in advancing the institution and serving the best interests of the students and the wider community.
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