Bahamas News
BAHAMAS: DW Davis Honour Students Encouraged to be Positive Leaders
#Bahamas, February 11, 2018 – Nassau – While speaking at the D.W. Davis Junior High School Honours Assembly on Monday, Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture the Hon. Michael Pintard told the more than 50 Honour Roll students recognized that they were more than just the future leaders of The Bahamas: they were the leaders of today.
“The truth of the matter is that a student in grade seven through nine standing where I am standing, saying anything similar to what I am saying, has more influence on your peers than I ever could,” Minister Pintard said. “You are influential right now.
“Every day, the things that you do and say are influencing your peers; and, so, I would like to say to all of you that leading is a choice that you must make.”
Among those taking part in the special assembly were Chairman of the Antiquities, Monuments and Museums Corporation (AMMC) and Member of Parliament Reece Chipman, District Superintendent Dorothy Anderson, District Education Officer Franklin Lightbourne and Principal Nicolette Brown.
Minister Pintard pointed out to the honourees that they were being recognized because they had done ‘something remarkable’: “The truth of the matter is that you are setting the standard; and we are asking you not to rest on your laurels. We are asking you to set new goals – to take us, your family, your community, to new heights.”
Minister Pintard said that those present were proud of them and of all that they had accomplished. To the students who did not make the Honour Roll, he encouraged them by reminding them that where they started out was not as important as where they end up.
“So, we are asking you to redouble your efforts,” he said.
Minister Pintard noted that it is better to start on a path of achievement in grade seven than try to figure it out in grade 11 and 12. He added that, although ninth-grade students might “run things” at their current school, the next step would be to enter senior high school and be the “new kids on the block”.
“All of you must take with you the principals learned, the lessons learned, the discipline learned in this environment and to make sure that the ‘royalty’ that you are today – you continue to demonstrate that in high school, university, wherever life may take you,” Minister Pintard said.
Minister Pintard said that all those present want honourees to be pacesetters and he gave them a few anecdotal points of advice, including setting their standards high and pursuing them with vigor and discipline. He pointed out that, even though it is great to dream, it will only remain a dream until one begins to attach a timetable to it, making it into a goal.
“In every aspect of your life, it is important to set high goals,” Minister Pintard said.
He noted that they are guaranteed to miss 100 per cent of the goals they do not set. Minister Pintard told the students that it was important to have the right set of persons in their lives as their network.
“If you are not surrounded by the right set of people, if you are not sharing those dreams, your imagination, with the right set of people, you will find that much of the dreams you have will be strangled and they will die on the vine,” Minister Pintard suggested. “It is important to have the right crowd.”
Minister Pintard also spoke on the importance of having high standards, pointing out what position they might obtain in life is not as important as how they behave in that position. He noted to the students present that education gives them options and choices for the their future.
“Every time you are discouraged or you are not interested in studying what is placed before you, remember you are limiting your options,” Minister Pintard said. “You are limiting your choices; so it is important to learn all you can – while you can – because it is going to open up options to you.”
Minister Pintard pointed out that, even though being academically smart is important, be smart in their morals was even more important.
“What we are saying to you is that we are proud of your accomplishments, we want you to continue to do well; but we are also saying to you that, in much the same way you are brilliant in academics, we want you to be brilliant in all areas of your life,” he said.
Minister Pintard said that the source of his strength and their strength is God and stated that every bad decision he had ever made in his life was when he “walked from under the covering of salvation.”
“When I thought I was smart enough to run things in my life, that was when my mistakes started to pile up – when I felt that maybe academics would help me solve a problem — that was truly a problem that needed God’s intervention.”
“The message I want to leave with you is in all the things that you get, take seriously the prayers that you pray in assembly and in class, and recognize that the source of your strength, ultimately, is God,” he said.
Minister Pintard encouraged the male students to rise up and make a difference at their school, in the homes and community. “You could be world changers,” he stated. “You have the ability to be the difference-maker.”
To the female students, he noted that they have shown that they are already showing their leadership abilities and will continue to rise up. However, he cautioned them to not let a relationship with a person without a vision for their own life or goals for their family rob them of the “beautiful future they have inside of them”.
“Decide that you are going to continue to demonstrate that God has given you gifts and you are going to manifest them in what you do every day – in school, in university, in the jobs that you will get,” he said.
“We are proud of you, we love you, and it’s been an honour to talk to you and God bless you.”
By: Eric Rose (BIS)
Photo Caption: Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture the Hon. Michael Pintard with education stakeholders, and most of the more than 50 students who made Honour Roll during summer and fall semesters 2017 – at the D.W. Davis Junior High School Honours Assembly, February 5, 2018. Pictured seated (from left): District Education Officer Franklin Lightbourne, Principal Nicolette Brown, Minister Pintard, and District Superintendent Dorothy Anderson.
(BIS Photo/Eric Rose)
Nassau, THE BAHAMAS — Some of the most successful and accomplished professionals and business leaders in the country
recently shared their experiences and nuggets of wisdom with students at University of The Bahamas (UB) about thriving in a wide range of careers.
The University Centre for Counselling and Career Services and the Career and Job Placement Advisory Unit collaborated to host the 2024 Career Symposium which brought students face to face with leaders in the careers to which they aspire.
Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dr. Maria Oriakhi, said the symposium was key to developing potential as university students strive to leave their mark on the world.
Ms. Rickell Curry
“In the spirit of collaboration and growth, let us engage in meaningful dialogue, cultivate relationships, and harness the power of collective wisdom to shape our futures,” said Dr. Oriakhi. “Together, let us embark on this journey of exploration and discovery, united in our commitment to realizing our fullest potential and making meaningful contributions to our communities and beyond.”
Promoting careers in psychology, Ms. Curry noted that psychologists are equipped with the ability to help others, troubleshoot areas of weakness within themselves, and become better people and professionals in the process.
“The floor is yours to be able to explore. There’s no job where you don’t have to deal with people, so learning, even if you get a bachelor’s in psychology, is a great grounding,” she said.
Dr. Darville, one of few interventional radiologists in The Bahamas, offered another nugget of advice on choosing an area of study.
Dr. Elizabeth Darville
“It is important to know enough about yourself in order to make the decisions you want to make,” said Dr. Darville. “You have to work on yourself first and know what you want to do. Radiology gives you a chance to have fun. It gives you a chance to mold your career closer to your personal life than other medical specialties might.”
Another growing field is project management which Mr. Hepburn called a life skill. He also urged a commitment to lifelong learning.
“Individuals that continue to learn become unstoppable, period,” said Mr. Hepburn. “It is so true. When you learn, you become unstoppable because nothing can stop you in your process of development.
Mr. Wellington Hepburn
“The more you know, the more valuable you are. We need individuals who are cross functional—that can operate in different capacities. So please understand that your learning should never stop.”
With small and medium-sized businesses helping to drive the economy at an incredible rate, Ms. Rolle affirmed the importance of entrepreneurship in any economy.
“When we talk about entrepreneurship, we usually look at it from a myopic standpoint,” she said. Ms. Rolle. “What do I mean by that? Small, but usually about self: ‘how do I make more money?’ And in some cases, some look at entrepreneurship as a way of survival. ‘I need to make a couple extra dollars, I have this bill to pay’. Those types of things.
Ms. Samantha Rolle
“But entrepreneurship really, in its truest form, is about innovation, whether it’s a new concept or any existing concept that you innovate new ways, or help expand the economy.”
The career symposium was held at the Harry C. Moore Library and Information Centre and is held every academic year.
PHOTO CAPTIONS
- Career Symposium 1: UB Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dr. Maria Oriakhi, delivers the opening address at the 2024 Career Symposium.
- Career Symposium 2: Students and guest speakers enjoy a lighthearted moment during the 2024 Career Symposium.
- Career Symposium 3: Ms. Rickell Curry speaks to students during the 2024 Career Symposium.
- Career Symposium 4: Dr. Elizabeth Darville delivers remarks during the 2024 Career Symposium.
- Career Symposium 5: Mr. Wellington Hepburn educates students on the importance of project management during the 2024 Career Symposium.
- Career Symposium 6: Ms. Samantha Rolle talks about the role and importance of entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship in any economy.
Office of University Relations
University of The Bahamas
2nd Floor, Michael H. Eldon Complex
Oakes Field Campus
P.O. Box N-4912
Nassau, The Bahamas
Tel: (242) 302-4355/4354/4365
Rashaed Esson
Staff Writer
#TheBahamas, April 15, 2024 – After years of thorough maintenance, The Thomas A Robinson National Stadium in The Bahamas is finally getting a multi-million dollar makeover, readying the 10-year old facility ahead of the World Athletics Relays on May 5, 2024; it is being staged in Nassau for the fourth time.
This $36 million refurbishment is being funded by the Chinese Government, as part of a vision to enhance the country’s sport infrastructure to benefit youths in athletics. The stadium was gifted to The Bahamas in 2012 by the Chinese.
The relay is the qualifying event for the 2024 Summer Olympic Games and there will be 32 national teams, in each relay event, and 20 races on both days of competition, according to World Athletics.
Day 1, will have 20 heats across the five Olympic-calibre events (4 heats each for 4×100, 4×400, men, women and mixed) and will qualify 40 teams for the Summer Olympics.
Distinctly, the top two teams from each heat will directly qualify for the 2024 Games.
On day 2, 30 more national teams will be qualified through 15 heats and five finals, across those five events.
The upgrades which include new trusses, rooftops, seats, the lawn, score boards, LED displays and more, are expected to be complete at least two weeks before the relays, being held under the theme: ‘Chase the Sun’.
In a special ceremony on Monday April 8, The Bahamas Prime Minister, Philip Davis said:
In December 2023, our shared vision took shape, as the government of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, and the government of the People’s Republic of China, inked an implementation agreement for the renovation of the stadium. This gesture of goodwill and friendship, from the Chinese government to undertake the China Aid Maintenance and Renovation project of our national stadium, stands as a testament to the strong bonds that unite our countries. This project, executed by China Urban Construction Research Institute Company Limited, and the China Machinery Industry Construction Group Company Limited, reflects our shared commitment to excellence, innovation and mutual development.”
Additionally, H.E Dai Qingli, outgoing Chinese Ambassador to The Bahamas who also attended that ceremony, spoke.
“At the end of the project, the Bahamian people will get a fully renewed and modern world class stadium because everything is going to be either renewed or repaired,” she said.
Some 1,600 athletes will be in The Bahamas for the World Athletics relays, with five events. The Bahamas won the bid over Lausanne, Rome in 2022.
Mario Bowleg, Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture in reports, thanked China for their contribution to the redevelopment of the stadium.
“We thank them for their commitment to ensuring that they bring this facility back up to A1 standard so that we can continue holding international events and using these facilities as a development of our young people.”
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