Cul de Sac, St. Maarten:--- The Foundation for Academic and Vocational Education (FAVE) closed its golden jubilee celebrations on Friday with a landmark event that underscored its leadership and collaborative spirit in shaping the future of education. The FAVE AI & STEAM Conference, hosted at the American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine (AUC), brought together nearly 200 secondary school teachers, school leaders, policymakers, regional experts, and industry partners under the theme “Reimagining Teaching and Learning with AI and STEAM.”
The conference featured keynote addresses, hands-on breakout sessions, and a thought-provoking panel discussion designed to equip educators with practical tools to prepare students for the digital age.
In her welcome, FAVE Executive Director drs. Tallulah Baly called the gathering both historic and forward-looking: “Today is not just another gathering; it is the culmination of our golden jubilee—50 years of FAVE: A Legacy of Excellence. What began as a bold vision five decades ago has flourished into an institution that continues to shape minds, transform lives, and lead the way in education on St. Maarten and beyond.”
She reminded attendees that the event was more than symbolic: “This conference is more than an event; it is a call to action. It is a call to embrace innovation, to reimagine our classrooms, and to prepare our students for a world that demands creativity, critical thinking, and courage.”
“Together, we must ensure that AI and STEAM are harnessed not only for progress, but also for service to humanity,” she added.
National voices framed the day with a shared vision. Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina connected educational innovation with sustainable development, economic growth, and global competitiveness. Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport, Ms. Melissa Gumbs, spoke on her policy vision for integrating AI and STEAM across St. Maarten’s schools, urging educators to embrace innovation while keeping student success and national development central.
“You, our educators, are not only…translators of knowledge, but [also] creators, facilitators, and innovators. Reimagining teaching with AI and STEAM means we also have to reimagine ourselves”, she said.
FAVE Board Vice-President, Mrs. Esmeralda Rommy, linked FAVE’s legacy to its forward-looking commitment to excellence, innovation, and collaboration.
The conference was masterfully guided by Dr. Ife Badejo, Emcee and Panel Moderator, and founder of Islandpreneur, which equips entrepreneurs with practical, scalable strategies and AI Islands—a first-of-its-kind platform uniting leaders, entrepreneurs, and policymakers to co-create AI solutions tailored for island contexts.
Keynote speakers brought global and regional perspectives to the conference. Dr. Gale Rigobert, educated at the University of the West Indies and the University of Cambridge, has spent more than two decades shaping policy at the intersection of education, technology, climate resilience, and gender equity. She emphasized that “AI and STEAM are not just tools for the classroom; they are gateways to equity, opportunity, and resilience for future generations.” Her work continues to inspire transformative action, ensuring that AI and STEAM are leveraged to unlock opportunity and empower future generations.
Complementing her vision, H.E. Ambassador Dr. Ricardo Neil, Goodwill Ambassador for Science and Technology and founder of both the St. Kitts and Nevis Robotics Association and the OECS Robotics Association, shared insights drawn from his authorship of over 18 publications, including widely used CXC Information Technology and Applied Science textbooks. He reminded participants that “education must not only keep pace with emerging technologies but lead their ethical and sustainable use across our region.”
Breakout sessions allowed teachers and managers to engage in parallel tracks. Teachers explored AI-driven lesson planning, assessments, and student projects with facilitators such as Mr. L. Nicholls (Science), Mr. M. Cooks (Technology & Business), Ms. J. Presentacion (Language Arts), Mr. A. Roper (Mathematics), and Mr. N. Blaise (Social Sciences). School managers participated in sessions led by Mr. Gregory Richardson and Mr. Marcus Nicolaas, focusing on administrative efficiency, predictive analytics, and ethical use of AI.
A panel discussion on “Smart Tech, Safe Schools: Ethics, Policy, Data & Human Connection” reinforced the need to balance innovation with privacy, ethics, and meaningful human connection.
Baly also praised the organizing committees and volunteers for their dedication. Standout leaders included Mrs. Ashley-Browne (logistics and flow of operations), Mrs. Olivacci (coordination of facilitators and keynote speakers), Mrs. Lourens (co-author project proposal), Mr. King (IT and conference website), Ms. Small (Technical program and content), Mrs. Nelson and Ms. Artsen (Registration), Ms. Payne (Ushers and Volunteers) and Mr. Fleming (facilities setup). Volunteers from across all FAVE departments played a vital role in supporting participants and ensuring smooth operations. “This is what true collaboration looks like. This is what service with purpose feels like. Together, we have not only organized a conference—we have created an experience that will shape minds, spark ideas, and inspire transformation,” she said.
The success of the event was also attributed to sponsors and partners. AUC was recognized as collaborative partner, while Computech served as lead technology partner and largest financial supporter. Major supporters included the Government of St. Maarten (MECYS Innovations Department) and NAGICO Insurances, with 0 to 14 providing in-kind sponsorship of 250 conference kits. Other sponsors included Penny’s Department Store, Century 21 Real Estate, Boolchands, and Shoppers Haven, alongside community partners Islandpreneur, Forward Focus, Print Express, and Good News Baptist Church.
Looking ahead, Baly emphasized that the conference was both a milestone and a springboard: “The path ahead is ours to shape. We will walk it with purpose, lead with vision, and let our light shine brightly for all to see.”
