Central to their discussion was the CNMI’s workforce development needs and the implementation of rules and regulations that guide the U.S. student visa program.
In the meeting with the nine-member congressional staff delegation and Tee Abraham, NMC dean of community programs and services, NMC President Carmen Fernandez said the college is gearing to provide the necessary training to fill any gaps that would result from the anticipated departure of many foreign laborers.
Fernandez also sought the staffers’ support for financial assistance to fund the implementation of the U.S. Apprenticeship Training Program, which will enable NMC to offer technical trades courses.
“We have always worked aggressively to expand current programs and to implement new ones that ensure the CNMI’s workforce is the most highly skilled and educated in the region,” said Fernandez. “The staffers’ visit to NMC underscores the federal government’s strong support of these efforts.”
Another key concern highlighted at the meeting was the implementation of the federal student visa program.
Fernandez said the college is assessing the impact of the visa program, particularly its impact on NMC’s ability to recruit foreign students.
The congressional delegation consisted of Anthony Babauta, Brian Modeste, and Richard Stanton of the House Committee on Natural Resources Subcommittee on Insular Affairs; Blake Chisam and David Shahoulian of the Committee on the Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law; Larry Lavender and Daniel McGlinchey of the Committee on Financial Services; Cmdr. Jerry Miranda and Lt. Cmdr. Ron Valencia of the Navy House Liaison Office.
NMI students return from Japan convention
(MVA) — The six-student delegation led by Brenda B. Repeki from the Marianas Visitors Authority arrived back in the CNMI on July 23 from participating in the 20th Annual Asian-Pacific Children’s Convention in Fukuoka, Japan. The annual convention took place from July 11 to 23.
This year, the Asian-Pacific Children’s Convention in Fukuoka marks its 20th year of continuing summer invitation program.
The APCC’s slogan was “We are the BRIDGE: We connect dreams around the world.”
The conference aimed to generate appreciation for a variety of cultures through exchanges between children from all over the Asia-Pacific region, to promote mutual understanding throughout the Asia-Pacific region, and to raise young people with a global perspective who will work to increase international awareness in their local community.
The APCC was launched in Fukuoka in 1989 by the Fukuoka Junior Chamber with an aim of nurturing children — the bearers of the future — to become “global citizens.”
Since then and for the past 20 years the APCC has continued its activity, conducting Fukuoka’s annual international exchange project and operating in a unique style in which official circles where the business community and citizens get fully integrated.
“The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands has been sending groups of junior ambassadors, accompanied by a Chaperone to participate in the annual Asian-Pacific Children’s Convention, held in Fukuoka, Japan each year. It is a truly unique event that allows approximately 700 eleven-year-old children from 43 regions around the Asian Pacific rim to share in a truly international exchange,” said MVA’s Managing Director Perry Tenorio.”
This year’s participants were Johnny Roger Duenas Penalosa, James Arthur Lifoifoi Phillips, Katsutoshi Comia Pangelinan, Allysha Hillary Sabanal Lloren, Marika Joleen Pascua Cabay and Franory Lynn Pluhs Mesngon.
Crime of the week: Armed poker robbery
THE Crime Stoppers program is asking the community for information on any of the individuals involved in the armed robbery at the High Roller Poker Game Room in Koblerville across from the Han Nam Market, a media release stated.
The crime was reported on Friday, July 25, at 1:42 a.m.
Preliminary investigation reveal that three masked men armed with a machete and a silver handgun entered the establishment and robbed a staff member while he was making collections from the poker machines.
The suspects were described as light skinned, around 5’6” to 5’ 7” in height, and possibly of Asian background, based on the language spoken and accent.
All three men wore black masks, dark t-shirts and long blue jeans. The suspects fled the scene with an undetermined amount of money and in a silver sedan with license plate number ACC-798.
The Crime Stoppers program is also seeking the community’s assistance for information about any of the armed robberies that occurred on Saipan.
Your help in solving these crimes will go a long way in placing criminals behind bars.
Anyone having information about these crimes is requested to call the Crime Stoppers hotline at 234-7272.
Crime Stoppers pays cash rewards up to $1,000 for information leading to an arrest.
Caller ID is not used and all calls remain anonymous.
