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  • Belize Trains Officers to Save Coconuts From Pests, Deadly Disease

    Belize Trains Officers to Save Coconuts From Pests, Deadly Disease

    Belize’s national Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and New Growth Industries has successfully concluded a five-day specialized training workshop hosted in partnership with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), designed to boost the country’s capacity to detect and control invasive pests and lethal diseases that put its critical coconut sector at risk.

    This Training of Trainers Workshop focused on coconut pest and disease management forms a core component of a broader FAO technical cooperation initiative that supports the revision of Belize’s National Rural Development Strategy, with targeted investment in the coconut value chain. The effort also aligns with FAO’s global “One Country One Priority Product” campaign, which works to foster green business development and inclusive sustainable growth for high-potential local agricultural sectors like Belize’s expanding coconut industry.

    The training cohort was carefully selected to maximize national impact, including members of the Ministry’s national fruit tree program team, district-level agricultural extension officers, and technical officers from the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI) who oversee coconut production activities across every region of Belize.

    Over the first four days of the workshop, participants engaged in deep-dive technical sessions centered on integrated pest management practices, covering the most pressing threats to Belize’s coconut crops: the invasive coconut weevil, damaging red mites, and the lethal fungal red ring disease. All instructional content prioritized skills for accurate biological identification of threats and adoption of modern, low-impact management approaches, equipping participating officers to deliver faster, more precise diagnoses when responding to outbreaks in rural growing areas.

    The workshop concluded with a full day of practical, hands-on learning split between local coconut plantations and a diagnostic laboratory. In the field, officers practiced on-the-ground identification of active red mite infestations and visible symptoms of fungal disease; in the lab, they mastered the laboratory protocols needed to confirm cases of red ring disease in infected plant tissue samples.

    Following the successful completion of the training, national agricultural officials announced that the newly trained group of experts will move into the second phase of the initiative this fall. Between September and October, the cohort will roll out the identification and management skills they learned to extension teams across all districts of Belize. The long-term goals of the rollout are twofold: safeguard the livelihoods of small-scale coconut farmers who make up a large share of the country’s producers, and build greater climate resilience for Belize’s coconut industry as it faces growing agricultural threats from invasive species.

  • Youth netballer tapped for regional development camp

    Youth netballer tapped for regional development camp

    A promising young netball talent from Saint Lucia is stepping onto an international developmental stage this week, carrying the hopes of her home nation while opening new doors for cross-border youth sports collaboration. Naija Ferdinand, a dynamic young player who has already racked up an impressive list of career achievements at just the youth level, joins basketball prospect Mezan Lewis as the first athletes from outside Trinidad and Tobago invited to participate in the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC)’s long-running Youth Camp.

    Selected by the Saint Lucia Olympic Committee to represent their country at the prestigious developmental gathering, Ferdinand’s invitation comes on the heels of a breakout summer that has cemented her reputation as one of the Caribbean’s most exciting rising netball stars. Hailing from the Saint Lucian town of Micoud, Ferdinand first turned heads earlier this year when she led her country’s Under-16 national side at the Jean Pierre Caribbean Youth Netball Tournament, where her standout performance earned her both team Most Valuable Player honors and the tournament’s President’s Award.

    Her standout form extended far beyond the youth circuit over the past few months. Ferdinand’s versatility, which allows her to excel across multiple positions on the netball court, was a key factor in Saint Lucia claiming the Windward Islands School Games netball title – the country’s first victory at the event since 2019. She also earned a spot on Saint Lucia’s senior national team, contributing to a historic bronze medal finish at the Central American and Caribbean Games, a result that signaled her readiness to compete at the highest regional levels.

    Ferdinand and Lewis traveled to Trinidad and Tobago alongside Jo-Ann Anderson, Saint Lucia’s national netball coach, who is serving as the pair’s chaperone for the duration of the week-long camp. Now in its 23rd year, the TTOC Youth Camp stands as one of the committee’s flagship community and athletic programs. Unlike typical sports training camps that focus exclusively on on-court performance, the initiative is designed to nurture holistic growth, embedding core Olympic values – excellence, respect, and friendship – into every aspect of the experience for young athletes at a critical formative stage of their careers and personal development.

    The camp balances programming across four key pillars: athletic skill-building, leadership development, educational enrichment, and personal growth, creating a well-rounded experience rooted in Olympic ideals that extends far beyond the playing field. While netball is not currently classified as a medal sport for the Summer Olympic Games, it holds official recognition from the International Olympic Committee, and the TTOC camp maintains an inclusive mandate that welcomes athletes across a range of sports rather than focusing on a single discipline.

    For Ferdinand, the camp experience comes as valuable preparation for future international competition. Even as she takes part in the developmental program in Trinidad and Tobago, the broader Saint Lucia senior national netball squad is gearing up to begin training this weekend for the 2027 Netball World Cup Americas Qualifiers. The regional qualifying tournament is scheduled to take place from October 19 to 26 in Barbados, where teams will compete for coveted spots in the upcoming World Cup tournament, giving emerging talents like Ferdinand a clear long-term goal to work toward as they continue to develop their skills.

  • Vader drieling wil kinderen in Paramaribo laten opgroeien

    Vader drieling wil kinderen in Paramaribo laten opgroeien

    On August 28, a story of a growing Surinamese family and their appeal for support captured public attention, as a parliamentary committee traveled to the capital’s main academic hospital to meet a couple who recently welcomed a rare set of triplets.

    Ivanka Koedemoesoe, the 32-year-old mother, gave birth to the three newborns on August 21 at the Academisch Ziekenhuis Paramaribo (AZP), marking a special milestone for the facility: hospital records confirm this is the first time a triplet birth has taken place at AZP in a full decade. The birth expands Koedemoesoe and her husband Waldo Brinswijk’s family to seven children total, a joy that comes with unforeseen practical challenges.

    Unlike many families who reside in Paramaribo, Suriname’s capital and largest urban center, Brinswijk and his family currently live in the country’s inland region. In conversations with lawmakers, Brinswijk outlined the steep difficulties of raising a large young family in the inland, where access to critical basic services is far more limited than in the capital. His core wish, he shared, is to relocate the entire family to Paramaribo so his seven children — including the newborn triplets — can grow up with reliable access to quality education, healthcare, and other essential infrastructure that is harder to access in the country’s rural interior.

    To hear the family’s request directly and offer initial support, the Permanent Committee for Social Affairs and Housing (Sozavo) of Suriname’s National Assembly organized a hospital visit just one week after the triplets’ birth. The delegation, led by committee chair Ivanildo Plein and member Aziez Salarbaks, met with Koedemoesoe and her three newborns at AZP, bringing with them essential care supplies for the new babies.

    Beyond delivering immediate aid, the visit was designed to let committee members gather first-hand details about the family’s specific needs and challenges. During conversations with both parents, the delegation discussed the family’s current living conditions, the specialized care the triplets require, and the barriers Brinswijk has faced raising his large family in the inland.

    Committee representatives confirmed after the visit that they will review the family’s request and explore what support can be offered through the legislative body’s official channels. The family’s relocation appeal will formally be brought to the attention of the national Ministry of Social Affairs and Housing for further review and potential action, as lawmakers work to identify solutions to the concerns Brinswijk raised.

  • “Aura Farming” Battles Turn Into Street Sport Across Latin America

    “Aura Farming” Battles Turn Into Street Sport Across Latin America

    A grassroots street competition born from TikTok culture is rapidly taking over public spaces across Latin America, drawing thousands of young participants and spectators to its unique, rule-free format that prizes personal magnetism over traditional athletic or artistic talent, according to international reports.

    Known as aura battles, the unorthodox contests center on one core goal: cultivating an effortless, confident “aura” that resonates with onlookers. Unlike structured sports or performance competitions, aura battles have no official referees, fixed scoring systems, or rigid guidelines. Competitors take turns showcasing carefully understated dances, stylized poses, and dramatic deliberate gestures, with the crowd’s reaction acting as the final judge. Top performers often walk away with small cash prizes, but most participants join for viral social media fame rather than financial reward.

    The craze traces its origins to online internet slang called “aura farming,” a term that describes the practice of projecting an effortless cool without appearing to try too hard. The phrase first gained traction online in 2024, but exploded into global mainstream popularity in 2025 following viral clips of 11-year-old Indonesian boy Rayyan Arkan Dikha. Footage of Dikha dancing calmly at the bow of a moving longboat during a traditional race amassed millions of views across social platforms, sparking a wave of “aura farming” edits featuring anime characters, professional athletes, and A-list celebrities.

    In recent weeks, the trend has jumped from phone screens to city streets across Latin America. At a recent gathering held at the University of Costa Rica in San José, crowds clustered around competing participants, recording every exchange on their mobile phones to share online. Similar impromptu and organized events have popped up across Mexico, Argentina, and Brazil, most curated by local content creators who design the battles specifically to generate viral social media content.

    Frederick Luis Aldama, a humanities professor at the University of Texas who observed an aura battle firsthand in Mexico City’s iconic Parque México, told reporters the trend holds unique appeal for young Latin Americans. He noted that the region has a long-standing cultural tradition of spontaneous public gathering in plazas and community courtyards, making the open-air format of aura battles feel like a natural fit for local communities. Aldama added that he was surprised by how the crowd’s favor leaned into quiet composure rather than over-the-top performance, aligning with the core “aura farming” ethos of effortless cool.

    Not all local officials have welcomed the spread of the trend. In the Brazilian city of Cuiabá, Mayor Abílio Brunini blocked a planned aura battle championship from being held in the city’s central public square, claiming participants would eventually regret their involvement in the unstructured event. Despite the official ban, video footage captured dozens of young people holding an impromptu competition outside Cuiabá’s City Hall in July, defying the order to stop the gathering.

    Since the first official organized aura battle was held in Mexico City on August 20, 2026, the movement has expanded at an extraordinary pace. Within days of the Mexico City event, comparable gatherings were confirmed in Costa Rica, Argentina, and Brazil, with organizers already planning new events across the region to keep up with skyrocketing youth interest.

  • Nissan Recalls 600,595 e-POWER Vehicles Over Software Fault

    Nissan Recalls 600,595 e-POWER Vehicles Over Software Fault

    Consumer regulators in Antigua and Barbuda have issued a public warning to local motorists regarding a large-scale Nissan recall tied to a critical software flaw in the automaker’s popular e-POWER hybrid line. The recall, which currently impacts more than 600,000 vehicles registered in Japan, stems from an error in the programming of the lithium-ion battery controller that manages hybrid system performance.

    Three specific Nissan models are included in the safety recall: the standard Note, the premium Note Aura, and the mid-size X-Trail SUV, all outfitted with Nissan’s signature e-POWER hybrid powertrain. Affected units were produced during an extended manufacturing window spanning November 12, 2020, through April 6, 2026. Breakdown data from the recall shows 322,023 affected Note models spanning the 2020 to 2026 model years, 183,828 Note Aura units produced between 2021 and 2026, and 94,744 2022 to 2026 model year X-Trail vehicles.

    The core issue behind the recall is incorrect logical coding in the battery controller’s software. Under specific driving conditions, the faulty system can mistakenly identify a non-existent malfunction in the hybrid system. When this error occurs, the vehicle immediately triggers a warning light for the electric vehicle drive system and automatically cuts output from the traction motor that propels the car.

    In the most severe scenarios, this programming flaw can cause a complete loss of drive motor power while the vehicle is in motion. This sudden power failure can leave drivers stranded mid-trip, creating obvious road safety risks for motorists, passengers, and other people sharing the roadway.

    Nissan has developed a straightforward, permanent fix for the defect: updating the battery controller’s software with corrected programming that eliminates the faulty fault detection logic. The company has confirmed that this required repair will be provided completely free of charge to all owners of affected vehicles, with no out-of-pocket costs for labor or software updates.

    The Prices and Consumer Affairs Division of Antigua and Barbuda is urging all local Nissan owners who may have one of the affected models to reach out directly to an authorized Nissan service center to schedule the repair as soon as possible. For local consumers who need additional information or support regarding the recall, the division can be contacted directly by phone at 462-4347.

  • Local high-performance cricketers resume training after CPL break

    Local high-performance cricketers resume training after CPL break

    After a temporary pause in their regular development schedule to accommodate the home leg of the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL), emerging young cricketers from Saint Lucia have returned to structured training with the third cohort at the island’s Saint Lucia Cricket High Performance Centre (HPC). During the CPL break, several promising HPC trainees gained valuable on-ground experience, serving as net bowlers for both the hometown Saint Lucia Kings franchise and competing visiting teams across the tournament’s local matches.

    The group officially kicked off their post-break training camp earlier this week at Mindoo Phillip Park, with sessions focused immediately on refining spin bowling skills under the guidance of Larry Edward, the HPC’s assistant bowling coach and a former first-class spinner for the Windward Islands. Edward, a veteran competitor who claimed 124 wickets across regional competitions, including 77 scalps over a nine-year First-Class career, has centered initial workouts on improving young spinners’ consistency of line and length.

    In comments following the camp’s first training session, Edward explained the core focus of the program: “We just needed to get them back into trying to hit those areas.” To build precision, trainees use pitch maps and marked cones to map their target zones, with a clear performance benchmark of hitting the correct mark on 40 out of 45 deliveries. “That’s what we’re looking to do in the next four months,” Edward added, outlining the long-term nature of the development plan.

    A staunch advocate for mastering core bowling fundamentals, Edward stressed that consistent mechanical technique is particularly critical when competing on the flatter, faster pitches that dominate modern limited-overs cricket in the Caribbean. “I’m big on fundamentals,” he said. “With spin, you have to actually get on your pivot, coming up and over… guys need to get the ball up and down.”

    Edward also warned against prioritizing trick bowling variations that only work in short limited-overs spells, instead pushing his young charges to build the consistency required to perform effectively over long bowling stints. “If you’re not hitting those areas consistently enough, batsmen might get opportunities to score,” he explained. “When you go up to Windwards level, you’re going to get batters who are going to challenge you at your weaker areas more often than not. So we’re trying to get them … to stick long enough on it. They need to do that as much as possible so they can get onto the next level.”

    Reflecting on the opportunity the recent CPL break provided for young HPC players, Edward highlighted that the experience of interacting with elite talent has already proven transformative for up-and-coming cricketers who have not yet earned a spot on senior regional or national teams. The chance to bowl to international stars in net sessions gave young athletes direct access to elite competition and coaching that cannot be replicated in routine development training. “This is like exposure, going against CPL guys,” Edward said. “It’s going to give them a lot of tactics and trying to know how to bowl to the senior world-class players. So that’s why we were really big on that opportunity for them, so they could really try to advance themselves, get to know a lot more things, look at areas that they could bowl certain, different things that they could try and see what returns they could get from it.”

    Edward, who observed multiple CPL net sessions alongside the young trainees, added that local prospects more than held their own against elite batters, and left the experience with actionable advice from veteran CPL players that will support their ongoing development.

  • Soufrière Dive Fest returns this weekend with two days of marine adventures

    Soufrière Dive Fest returns this weekend with two days of marine adventures

    One of Saint Lucia’s most anticipated coastal community events is making its return this month, as the picturesque Soufrière region gears up to host the 2026 edition of Soufrière Dive Fest across August 29 and 30. The two-day gathering, which centers on celebrating the area’s world-renowned natural splendor and unrivaled underwater ecosystems, was formally announced by Denise Charles-Pemberton, the Parliamentary Representative for Soufrière who also serves as the country’s Minister of Tourism, International Transport and Maritime Initiatives.

    The festival is a collaborative community-led effort, brought together by Charles-Pemberton’s office and the Soufrière Organising Committee, with key partnerships from the Soufriere–Scotts Head–Gallion Village Council and the national Ministry of Tourism. From early morning adventure to evening celebrations, the event is packed with activities designed to engage visitors of all ages and skill levels, whether they are seasoned water enthusiasts or first-time visitors to the region.

    The first day of the festival kicks off at 6:00 AM on Saturday with a guided Hike & Soak experience that lets attendees explore the island’s iconic inland tropical terrain before moving to the coast. From 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, a series of introductory water activities will open up Soufrière’s coastal wonders to new audiences, including beginner-friendly sessions in scuba diving, freediving, and kayaking, alongside educational presentations on local coral ecosystems. Starting at 2:00 PM, the Soufrière Bayfront becomes the hub for a lively Family Fun and Fish Lyme, where attendees can enjoy casual boat rides, open kayaking, interactive family games, local arts and crafts booths, fresh seafood offerings, and continuous live entertainment throughout the afternoon.

    On Sunday, the festival continues with another block of accessible activities from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, including additional coral education sessions, introductory swimming lessons for new swimmers, and beginner snorkeling excursions that let guests explore shallow reef systems just off the coast. From 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM, a competitive Corporate Kayak Race will take center stage, with a generous $2,500 grand prize up for grabs for the winning team. The entire festival will close out with a headline MainStage Event starting at 5:00 PM, which brings back popular activities including boat rides, kayaking, and floating tube experiences, alongside family games, nonstop live performances, and abundant opportunities to sample authentic local and traditional Saint Lucian cuisine.

  • UWI students get boost in food safety skills through CARPHA training

    UWI students get boost in food safety skills through CARPHA training

    Thirty-five aspiring nutrition and dietetics professionals at The University of the West Indies (UWI) St. Augustine Campus have completed a rigorous, industry-recognized advanced food safety training program, stepping into the regional workforce with a competitive new credential that strengthens Caribbean public health capacity.

    The specialized two-and-a-half-day course, delivered by the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) at the request of UWI’s Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension (DAEE), is part of an effort to expand micro-credential opportunities for undergraduate students pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition and Dietetics. Designed to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world professional practice, the program focuses on hands-on, actionable skills that directly address regional food safety priorities.

    Over the course of the training, participants mastered core competencies including best practices for safe food handling, rigorous hygiene and sanitation protocols, strategies to prevent cross-contamination and foodborne illness outbreaks, and methods to mitigate time and temperature abuse across every stage of the food supply chain. Trainees also emphasized the critical need for consistent food safety compliance at every link of the food chain, from production to consumer service.

    The program, the internationally accredited ServSafe® Train-the-Trainer Advanced Food Safety Certification Course issued under the National Restaurant Association, was led by a multidisciplinary team of CARPHA experts: Keston Daniel, Visitor-based Surveillance Coordinator for CARPHA’s Regional Tourism and Health Program (THP); Dr. Sastee Kissoondan, Senior Technical Officer for Planning and Coordination in the Office of the Executive Director; and Frieda Mohammed, THP Standards and Training Officer.

    Opening the first day of the program, Daniel highlighted the strategic importance of the inter-institutional partnership in building the next generation of Caribbean public health leaders. “CARPHA’s THP is proud to collaborate with The UWI in equipping future Nutrition and Dietetics professionals to champion food safety and protect public health. This partnership reinforces our shared commitment to building healthier and safer Caribbean communities,” he said in official remarks.

    All 35 participating interns successfully completed both the training and final certification examination. Graduates who meet all credential requirements will receive an advanced food safety certification valid for five years, a qualification that extends far beyond a line item on a resume.

    According to CARPHA’s official press release announcing the completion of the program, the new certification not only boosts graduates’ employability across the region’s food and health sectors but also provides them with specialized tools to lead food safety outreach and reduce the frequency of dangerous foodborne disease outbreaks across the Caribbean.

    The initiative also underscores a growing regional consensus on the value of combining traditional academic degree programs with practical, globally recognized skills training—an approach that aligns with ongoing efforts by Caribbean nations to strengthen national and regional public health and food safety systems.

  • Royalty Set to Share Stage With Jamaican Dancehall Star in Toronto

    Royalty Set to Share Stage With Jamaican Dancehall Star in Toronto

    Rising Caribbean music star Alline Henry, who performs under the stage name Royalty, is set to take the stage as the opening act for iconic Jamaican dancehall artist Future Fambo when the tour stops in Toronto, Canada this August 29. The upcoming high-profile gig marks the latest milestone in what has already been a breakthrough 12 months for the Antiguan performer, whose career has rapidly expanded beyond the borders of her home country, Antigua and Barbuda, to gain international traction.

    The performer’s upward trajectory began with a major win earlier this summer, when she took first place at Toronto’s competitive WYFL DJ Mac talent contest in June. Her standout performance at the competition earned her more than just a trophy: it secured her a professional recording contract and an official signing to the DJ Mac label. Just weeks after her win, she was invited to open another show for Tielo Lanez, a fellow labelmate on the DJ Mac roster, giving her early exposure to Toronto’s live music scene.

    Royalty is no stranger to international touring, however. She has already brought her unique sound to audiences across six countries and regions, including Barbados, St. Lucia, St. Maarten, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada. While she has built a loyal global fanbase through her work in the dancehall genre, the multi-talented artist has made clear that she plans to continue recording and performing soca music, honoring the diverse musical traditions of the Caribbean that shaped her artistic style.

    For Royalty, the recent string of career wins comes after years of careful balancing: as a mother of two, she has long juggled the demands of raising her children, running a separate business, and advancing her music career. In comments reflecting on her journey, she noted that her slow, steady progress over the years has laid the groundwork for the breakthrough opportunities she is enjoying today, highlighting the persistence that has defined her path in the entertainment industry.

  • IHTC reikt diploma’s uit aan 18 afgestudeerden

    IHTC reikt diploma’s uit aan 18 afgestudeerden

    Suriname’s International Hospitality & Tourism College (IHTC) marked a key milestone in talent development for the nation’s hospitality and tourism sector earlier this week, holding its 2026 Graduation Ceremony at the iconic Torarica Royal Ballroom to award diplomas to 18 newly graduated students.

    Of the 18 graduates, 12 completed the full four-year curriculum to earn a Bachelor of Science Degree in Hospitality & Tourism Management, while six successfully obtained their Associate Degree. All six Associate Degree recipients plan to continue their academic studies at IHTC to pursue their full bachelor’s qualification in the coming years.

    The ceremony drew a diverse cross-section of attendees, including the graduating cohort, their family members, IHTC faculty and administrative staff, and senior representatives from both public sector bodies and private hospitality and tourism enterprises across Suriname. In her opening address to the gathering, IHTC Director Chantal Kartaram offered a reflective perspective on the core purpose of vocational higher education, arguing that learning extends far beyond accumulating technical knowledge or earning a formal credential. “Education must also transform you as a person,” Kartaram said. “In the end, success is measured not only by what you have achieved, but by who you have become along your journey.”

    Torarica Holding, the event’s headline sponsor, played a central role in bringing the 2026 ceremony to life. Dave Boucke, CEO of Torarica Holding, addressed the graduates, extending congratulations and formally extended an invitation to bachelor’s degree recipients to explore career opportunities with the company as they launch their professional paths. Boucke also presented the college’s annual Award for Outstanding Professional Performance to the top-performing graduate of the cohort.

    Egon von Foidl, Managing Partner of Courtyard by Marriott Paramaribo and Chair of the Suriname Hospitality and Tourism Association (SHATA), led the presentation of Associate Degrees to the six junior graduates. The partnership between IHTC and Marriott is already deeply integrated into the college’s curriculum: many current IHTC students complete structured work placements at the Marriott property during their studies, bridging the gap between classroom learning and real-world industry practice from the earliest stages of their education.

    Representing the national public sector, Liola Tamin, Director of Tourism at Suriname’s Ministry of Transport, Communication and Tourism (TCT), delivered the Bachelor Degree diplomas to the 12 graduating seniors. IHTC leadership emphasized that the college’s longstanding collaboration with both public and private sector stakeholders has created expanding, tangible career pathways for graduates. Beyond entry-level roles across the country’s hospitality sector, several graduates have already received job offers to contribute to tourism policy development at the national level, supporting the government’s push to grow Suriname’s tourism economy.

    A unique longstanding tradition of IHTC’s annual graduation ceremony sets the event apart from most higher education graduation celebrations: all planning and on-site execution is led by first- and second-year IHTC students. Working as part of their Event Planning and Protocol coursework, students take charge of every step of the process, from securing sponsorships and logistics coordination to final on-day execution. For the students, the ceremony doubles as a hands-on practical assessment that lets them apply the event management skills they learn in class to a large-scale, high-stakes public event.

    The 2026 ceremony was made possible by support from a wide network of industry partners. Beyond Torarica Holding’s donation of the venue, local firms including Celestial Decor and Celestique Decor handled event styling, TCF Productions managed professional photography and videography, Sancesy Seafood and Grill sponsored catering for snacks and water, King’s Drankenpaleis provided soft drinks and champagne, and Made for You operated a custom photo booth for guests. Live music was performed by Jihreni Adam and her brother, while IHTC alumnus and current faculty member Robin Hermelijn delivered a spoken-word performance to open the formal program.

    Beyond celebrating the achievement of 18 emerging professionals, the 2026 IHTC Graduation Ceremony highlighted the success of a collaborative model that aligns higher education, private industry, and government to build a new generation of skilled talent for Suriname’s growing hospitality and tourism sector.