Fourteen primary school teacher trainees from the Institut Universaire de Formation des Maîtres (IUFM) in Guadeloupe visited Trinidad and Tobago from April 24 to May 1, 2007 to learn about the country and its education system.

Their visit was coordinated by the UWI International Office and provided the trainee teachers with the opportunity to meet with some local primary school teachers and observe several classes in session. The trainee teachers were also exposed to our unique history and culture through lecture sessions and field trips throughout the twin islands.

The group of trainee teachers was led by Mr. Fred Plumain, who is an English teacher at IUFM Guadeloupe. Mr. Plumain has been collaborating with UWI for the past few years to bring trainee teachers from Guadeloupe to Trinidad and Tobago. During his most recent visit, he met with Mrs. Indrani Bachan-Persad, Head of the International Office, to discuss opportunities for collaboration in the future. One of the possibilities discussed was extending the reach of the programme to include trainees from the IUFM centres in France.