For two Jamaican educators and four university students, CANTO’s 41st Annual Conference & Trade Exhibition provided a valuable opportunity to learn, contribute, build international connections and experience first-hand the possibilities created by technology and education.
Through the Jamaica-based Flow Foundation, with support from the Liberty Caribbean Foundation, four students from the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures in the Faculty of Humanities and Education at The University of the West Indies were sponsored to participate in an internship at CANTO 2026, being held in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.
The students, Abigail Miller, Chloe James, Jodi-Ann Ellis and Maria Dixon Gonzalez, supported the CANTO Secretariat throughout the conference, contributing to registration, protocol and other areas of conference operations. Their fluency in English, Spanish and French was particularly valuable in supporting an event that brings together more than 800 delegates from across the Caribbean and beyond.
Dr. Maite Villoria, Head of the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures at The UWI, said the opportunity provided students with an experience that extends well beyond the classroom.
“I’m excited that the students had this opportunity to take part in the CANTO Conference. It was a meaningful experience where they gained new perspectives and important life lessons. Learning a foreign language opens doors to new opportunities and connections, and it is especially important for us as a nation given our place in the global community. Experiences like this help prepare our young people to confidently engage with the wider world.”
The students brought diverse academic interests and experiences to the programme.
Abigail Miller is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a double major in Spanish. Her interest in languages is driven by a desire to communicate across cultures and build meaningful connections with people from diverse backgrounds.
Chloe James, who is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in International Relations with a minor in Spanish, developed her passion for the language through her interest in connecting with different cultures, further inspired by her brother’s experience living and becoming fluent in Spanish.
Jodi-Ann Ellis holds a Bachelor of Arts in French and Spanish from The UWI, graduating with First Class Honours in 2022. During her studies, she received a scholarship to study in Valladolid, Spain, where she completed a semester abroad.
Maria Dixon Gonzalez is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish, driven by her passion for languages, culture and international opportunities. Fluent in Spanish, she aspires to become a translator for international concerts, combining her interests in languages, music and travel.
The Flow Foundation also supported the participation of two Jamaican educators at CANTO, providing an opportunity for them to engage with regional and international perspectives on technology, innovation and the future of education.
Duval Lavar Ebanks, a distinguished Jamaican educator and transformational leader with more than two decades of experience across the preparatory and primary education sectors, has built his career around innovation, cultural ambassadorship and student success. He is the Flow Foundation’s inaugural ICT Innovation Teacher of the Year and previously represented Jamaica through the British Council’s Connecting Classrooms Programme in Newcastle, England.
Lateton Williams, an accomplished educator with more than twenty years of experience, serves as Curriculum Coordinator, Work Experience Coordinator and Teacher of Economics at Herbert Morrison Technical High School, while also lecturing at the Vocational Training Development Institute.
A strong advocate for digital transformation in education, he has trained teachers across Jamaica in the use of digital tools and innovative instructional approaches. His achievements include second place in the ICT Innovation Teacher of the Year competition, Champion of Region 4 ICT Teacher of the Year and winner of the People’s Choice ICT Innovation Teacher of the Year Award.
CANTO’s 41st Annual Conference and Trade Exhibition brought together over 800 delegates from across the Caribbean and beyond for four days of dialogue, knowledge-sharing, networking and collaboration focused on advancing the region’s ICT sector.
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About Liberty Caribbean
Liberty Caribbean is a leading communications and technology provider, with operations in more than 20 markets across the Caribbean delivering broadband, mobile, video and voice services to residential customers through the consumer brands Flow and BTC.
Through its B2B division, Liberty Business, the company delivers enterprise-grade connectivity, cloud, security, and data centre services to businesses and governments — supporting national growth in an increasingly digital world.
With a legacy spanning more than 150 years, Liberty Caribbean remains steadfastly anchored in the region – providing robust networks, personalized local support, and tailored solutions that truly resonate with the people and communities we serve.
This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: Students and Educators Shine at CANTO.