The Editor, Sir:

I am a Jamaican living and studying in England. I was recently selected to represent my university and my country at the international student conference 'E-ducation Without Borders' in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

'E-ducation Without Borders' is a biennial international student conference creating networks across cultures in order to understand, and generate solutions for some of the world's greatest challenges. This is achieved by engaging the world's most innovative students and leaders of business, technology, education, and the humanitarian sector in a collaborative forum that culminates with commitment to action.

I must say, the conference had some of the world's best speakers such as 2006 Nobel Peace Prize Winner, Professor Muhammad Yunus, Dr Shashi Tharoor, official candidate of India for the succession to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan in 2006, amongst other highly distinguished speakers and royals. It also involved students from Harvard, Oxford and Stanford who presented individual research papers.

110 countries represented

The conference attracted over 1000 students from 110 countries around the world. It featured workshops, stimulating debates and presentations which facilitated the open exchange of information on some of the challenges facing us today.

I was very disappointed that I was the only Jamaican or the only representative from the Caribbean on such a high profile educational conference. I hope that nexttime, 2009, more Jamaicans will be able to attend such an important conference.

Nonetheless, it was my respon-sibility to make sure that the Jamaican flag and its culture was represented at such a global event. I also decided to create a website so that I will be able to share information to Jamaican institutions and future students who would like to visit in 2009.

I am, etc.,

RALSTON WHITE

ralstonwhyte@hotmail.com

Nottingham Trent

University, UK

Via Go-Jamaica