PORT ANTONIO, Portland; July 28, 2026
The College of Agriculture, Science and Education (CASE) recently welcomed a delegation from the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Skills and Innovation Project (SKIP) Study Tour, highlighting the institution’s leadership in agricultural education, research and innovation.
According to a JIS report, CASE was selected as a key stop on the regional tour in recognition of its work in climate-smart agriculture, agribusiness, workforce development and agricultural research.
(President of CASE, Dr Derek Deslandes)
The OECS Skills and Innovation Project is a regional initiative aimed at strengthening curriculum development in key growth sectors, including sustainable agro-industries, the blue economy, clean and renewable energy, and the creative industries.
Permanent Secretary in Grenada’s Ministry of Education, with responsibility for the Youth Transformational Skills Programme, Nailah James, said the visit comes at a pivotal time as Grenada establishes centres of excellence for skills training.
“I think this visit is so timely for us simply because at this time we are establishing centres of excellence for skills training and, coincidentally, our first centre for launch is the Agriculture Centre of Excellence,” she said.
Ms James said that CASE’s research and innovation activities provide valuable insights that can help shape Grenada’s approach.
(President of The College of Agriculture, Science and Education (CASE), Dr. Derek Deslandes, centre, engages members of a delegation from the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Skills and Innovation Project (SKIP) Study Tour, during a visit to the institution recently.)
Meanwhile, Grenada’s Permanent Secretary with responsibility for Human Resource and Education Development, Elvis Morain, said the visit was intended to expose the delegation to Jamaica’s educational and agricultural best practices. Mr Morain said he was looking forward to some kind of formal arrangement between CASE and Grenada.
For his part, President of CASE, Dr. Derek Deslandes, said the institution has embraced regional partnerships as a means of strengthening agricultural education and innovation across the Caribbean.
“CASE has essentially established relationships across the region based on the corporate collaboration model because we recognise that we don’t all have all the resources we need, and we believe that if we work together, we can share those resources and maximise the wealth of knowledge and benefits,” he said.
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