Rashaed Esson

Staff Writer

Nassau, THE BAHAMAS — In a dynamic global society where work colleagues are often not in the same building, or territory, University of The Bahamas students are taking advantage of growing opportunities to study abroad and forge new scholarly relationships with peers around the world while earning their degrees at home.

Central South University (CSU) in Changsha, Hunan, People’s Republic of China, recently became the latest partner institution, paving the way for students and faculty of UB and CSU to explore new vistas of scholarship and research. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on Wednesday, 24th April formalized the relationship. It was one of several partnership initiatives solidified between the two countries.

President (Acting) of UB Janyne Hodder emphasized the significance not only to a growing relationship but in advancing the strategic priorities of UB.

“Internationalization is a key pillar of our current strategic vision, one in which we attract great students and great faculty to our campus and also offer them opportunities to explore the world beyond our shores,” said President Janyne. “In turn, we very much want to increase opportunities for the broader world to experience The Bahamas, opportunities for visiting students, faculty, and researchers to expand their own global outlooks by forging study, research, and scholarship partnerships with us.

“It is through such exchanges that bonds of friendships and understanding are formed, that cross fertilization of ideas are made possible, and that we are all made better and wiser.”

Through the five-year agreement, both institutions will explore potential collaborations in mutually-agreed areas like exchanges among faculty, staff, students, and researchers; jointly-held international academic conferences; and information exchange via books, academic materials, journals, and scientific publications.

CSU Executive Vice President and Dean of CSU’s Xiangya School of Medicine, Dr. Xiang Chen, said with the agreement came the first step towards a bright future of collaboration between both institutions.

“We’re very glad to be here to sign a cooperation memorandum with the president, and I believe there’s broad room for us to cooperate with each other in the fields of education, healthcare, and other sectors,” said Professor Xiang. “And, we want to make more efforts to open a new chapter of the higher learning cooperation between the two sides.”

Minister of Education and Technical & Vocational Training, the Hon. Glenys Hanna Martin called it the latest manifestation of the harmony and goodwill that exists between The Bahamas and the PRC, which has been 27 years in the making. Less than two years ago, the Government of The Bahamas formalized three agreements with the People’s Government of Hunan Province to enhance synergy.

“We are truly appreciative and value this relationship that has a history, but is being strengthened by the signing of this MoU,” said Minister Hanna Martin. “I am very, very pleased at this collaboration between the Commonwealth of The Bahamas and the People’s Republic of China, particularly as it relates to the universities.

“We believe that some really good things are going to come out of this, and we intend to capitalize on it. And we hope you (PRC and CSU) capitalize on it, and we look forward to an ongoing, strengthened, productive, successful relationship between the two universities.”

Governor of Hunan Provincial People’s Government, His Excellency, Mr. Mao Weiming, echoed similar sentiments.

“(This) is a testament of the friendly exchanges between CSU and UB, but moreover, it’s a very important move of the cooperation between Hunan and The Bahamas in various fields, and also it’s a concrete cooperation that will deliver true benefits to all the people,” said Mr. Mao.

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#TheBahamas, May 9, 2024 – Waterkeepers Bahamas (WKB) proudly announces the certification of three outstanding cadets as open-water scuba divers. Azaria Louis, Kyle Quijano, and Tafari Fountain have completed an intensive training program, enhancing their marine conservation exploration capabilities and paving the way for future environmental leadership.

For the past decade, Waterkeepers Bahamas has collaborated with Grand Bahama Scuba to offer scuba certification to students as part of its Cadets Program. This partnership enriches the cadets’ experiences and equips them with essential skills to pursue marine conservation studies or careers.

The certification process encompassed theory classes and practical sessions in the swimming pool and inland waters at Ocean Reef Yacht Club. The cadets completed two open-water dives off the south shore of Grand Bahama, including one at Shark Junction, under the expert guidance of their instructors.

Azaria Louis said: “Becoming a certified scuba diver has been a dream of mine since joining the Waterkeepers Bahamas Cadets Program. This certification opens up a new world for me to explore and protect.”

Kyle Quijano said: “The experience of becoming a certified diver has been unforgettable. I can’t wait to use this skill to further my understanding of marine conservation and make a positive impact.”

Tafari Fountain said: “This experience has deepened my understanding of marine ecosystems and fueled my passion for conservation. I’m excited to continue exploring and protecting our oceans.”

“We believe this certification is an amazing, enriching, and unique opportunity for our cadets,” said Liyah Forbes, Waterkeepers Bahamas Cadets Program Facilitator. “It empowers them to immerse themselves in the marine environment, fostering a deeper connection and understanding of our oceans.”

Waterkeepers Bahamas extends heartfelt appreciation to Fred and Melinda Riger, instructors and proprietors of Grand Bahama Scuba, for their unwavering dedication to training the cadets. Over the years, the Rigers have trained twenty-one cadets alongside all five members of the Waterkeepers Bahamas staff.

Fred Riger of Grand Bahama Scuba said: “Myself, Melinda and the entire team are immensely proud of the commitment and enthusiasm demonstrated by the cadets throughout this certification process, and we are honoured to have played a role in their journey.” He continued, “This collaboration not only equips the next generation with essential skills but also instils a sense of responsibility towards protecting our precious marine environment. Along with Waterkeepers, we empower these students to explore the wonders beneath the waves and become stewards of our ocean’s health.”

Past cadets and the Rigers have been prominently featured in Waterkeepers Bahamas’ docuseries, “Faces of the Water,” which showcases diverse narratives surrounding people’s water experiences. Through this series, the remarkable stories of individuals deeply connected to the ocean are shared with audiences worldwide, highlighting the importance of marine conservation, the profound impact of initiatives like the Cadets Program, and the exceptional training provided by Grand Bahama Scuba.

Waterkeepers Bahamas encourages students interested in environmental leadership to explore its youth programs. For more information, please visit www.waterkeepersbahamas.com or email connect@waterkeepersbahamas.com.