Barita challenges students to expand their potential through AI innovation

As artificial intelligence continues to reshape industries and redefine the future of work, Chief Executive Officer of Barita Investments Limited, Ramon Small-Ferguson, says organisations must play a more active role in developing the next generation of talent.

Addressing participants at the conclusion of Barita Investments Limited’s second Skills Optimisation Challenge (SOC), Small-Ferguson said the programme is designed not simply as a competition, but as an investment in young people and their future.

 “We have a vested interest in creating an environment where talent can be nurtured, challenged, and developed,” he said. “The Skills Optimisation Challenge is one of the ways we invest in people, expand their capacity, and prepare them for a future where adaptability, innovation, and technology will be critical to success.”

His remarks came as Barita successfully concluded the six-week challenge, which brought together high-potential tertiary students from the University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech) and The University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona. The six-week challenge concluded with a final showcase of presentations, where four teams comprising 16 students unveiled AI-powered solutions to address real-world business needs. The projects highlighted the participants’ ability to combine innovation, technology, and strategic thinking to create practical solutions with robust security features and intuitive user experiences.

This year’s challenge also highlighted the importance of cross-institutional collaboration, with two teams intentionally comprising students from both UTech and UWI. The initiative encouraged participants to work together, leverage their diverse perspectives, and apply emerging technologies to solve complex challenges. 

Team D emerged as the overall winner, comprising UWI students Ron-Hugh Walters, Mikayla Walters, and Rickon Dixon, alongside UTech student Mikaila Cooke. Participants competed for cash prizes totalling $400,000, with the winning team receiving $160,000. Second place received $120,000, third place $80,000, and fourth place $40,000.

In addition to cash prizes, participants received medals and sectional awards in recognition of their outstanding performance and contributions throughout the programme. Reinforcing Barita’s commitment to talent development, the company also announced one-year internship opportunities for four of the programme’s top performers, providing them with direct exposure to the financial services industry and practical experience to support their professional growth.

Also addressing the closing ceremony, CEO Designate of Barita Financial Group Limited, Dane Brodber, congratulated participants and encouraged them to continue pushing beyond perceived limits. “The challenge has allowed you to discover the elasticity of your potential,” Brodber said, noting that experiences such as SOC help young people better understand their capabilities while preparing them for increasingly dynamic and technology-driven workplaces.

Representatives from both universities also commended Barita for its continued investment in youth development and workforce readiness. Mr. Horace Johnson, Actuary and Lecturer in the Department of Mathematics at The University of the West Indies, Mona, thanked Barita for creating meaningful opportunities that expose students to real-world business environments while they are still pursuing their studies. He highlighted the value of the practical experience and industry exposure being provided through initiatives such as the Skills Optimisation Challenge.

Dr. Ismail Olusegun Ismail, Acting Head of the School of Mathematics and Statistics at the University of Technology, Jamaica, similarly praised the initiative, describing it as a transformative programme that equips students with practical experience in innovation, problem-solving, and emerging technologies. He noted that programmes such as SOC are critical in preparing students for the future of work by exposing them to real business challenges and providing opportunities that many institutions are not currently able to offer.

The Skills Optimisation Challenge forms part of Barita’s broader commitment to youth development, innovation, and talent cultivation. By exposing students to real business challenges and emerging technologies, the programme seeks to build a pipeline of future leaders equipped with the digital, analytical, and critical-thinking skills needed to thrive in the evolving financial services sector and wider economy.

Through initiatives such as SOC, Barita continues to invest in Jamaica’s future by helping to develop the next generation of innovators, problem-solvers, and business leaders.