For two Jamaican educators and four university students, CANTO’s 41 st 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 41 st 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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