Over fifty students joined the Acting Governor Franz Manderson, the Hon Premier Alden McLaughlin and the Hon Minister of Education Employment & Gender Affairs, Tara Rivers at the first Annual Reception at Government House for CCUK last Friday.
A total of over 100 guests gathered on the Governor’s terrace, comprising Government Officials and representatives of the Private and Educational sectors.
CCUK is a non profit organisation established in partnership with the Cayman Islands Government and Department of Tourism (DOT) in the UK, in conjunction with the UK Friends of Cayman, for groups and individuals who are associated with the Cayman Islands and who now live in the UK.
CCUK is primarily lead by Caymanian students, with the purpose of supporting students who are studying in the UK in social, cultural and career development.
Mr Manderson welcomed the guests and greetings were brought by the Hon Premier, Hon Minister Tara Rivers and John Owen, Former Governor and Chairman of Friends of Cayman.
Mourant Ozannes have keenly supported the network and the students since the launch of CCUK, this year providing the entertainment and a door prize of an iPad Air for one of the lucky student guests. Hector Robinson of Mourant Ozannes gave a fun and welcoming greeting to the students and guests.
Student speakers Melanie Ebanks and Donovon Kellyman both empahsised how reassuring it was for them to have met other Caymanians in the UK through CCUK, even meeting Caymanian students whom they had not previously known in Cayman. They also spoke about the assistance the London Offices had given them.
UK based Caymanian Kate Kandiah who spearheads CCUK said “We are very happy with the response from our Annual Reception in Cayman and are extremely grateful for all the support CCUK has received from The Governor’s Office, the Cayman Government, the Friends of Cayman and the Private Sector. Many years of work have gone into developing CCUK, from the days when Jennifer Dilbert led the London Office in the UK. I was pleased to be able to convey messages from Mrs. Dilbert, who was unable to attend, and Don McDougall, The Regional Manager for The Department of Tourism in Europe”.
The Department of Tourism was represented by Jay Ehrhart who greeted the students and talked to them about the role that DOT plays in CCUK. “Word of mouth is the most effective communication in marketing terms” Ms Kandiah added, “and this network not only helps the students when they are far from home, but also spreads positive endorsements of the Cayman Islands in the international arena from a wide group of people who are proud of, and passionate about, their homeland.”
Members of CCUK, Government Officials and students look forward to another active year of events and programmes for the students in the UK and are planning the next Annual Reception in Cayman to take place next summer.
CCUK IN THE PRESS:
Cayman Compass (pre event)
