BAHAMAS: Minister Lloyd to Request Increased Funding for BTVI; The D’Aguilar Family Announced Scholarship Endowment Fund

#Bahamas, May 23, 2018 – Nassau – Minister of Education, the Hon. Jeffrey Lloyd declared that we need the best and brightest in technical and vocational fields as he delivered keynote remarks at the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute’s (BTVI) Commencement Ceremony at Melia Nassau Beach on Friday, May 18, 2018.

With the increased demand for technical and vocational graduates not yet being met through BTVI, and in light of the country’s insistent need for more persons with those skills, Minister Lloyd stated that his Ministry is requesting increased government funding for BTVI.

During the ceremony, the Hon. Dionisio D’Aguilar, Minister of Tourism & Aviation, announced a scholarship endowment fund on behalf of the D’Aguilar family to benefit the Bahamas Technical & Vocational Institute.  The scholarship endowment is in memory of his late father, Mr. Vincent D’Aguilar.  The total value of the scholarship is $50,000 per year beginning Fall 2018.

During remarks, Minister Lloyd explained how technology is transforming cosmetology, fashion, business, the automotive industry and every other conceivable arena in which we live, meaning there is a compounded demand for persons with technical and vocational training.

He said that pursuing a technical or vocational education does not imply absence of academic capability, as “no society has ever functioned to the maximum of its potential unless it’s been able to fix and create its own things.  In fact, when you defer that responsibility to the other, you become an enslavement to that other.”

Compelled to confirm that BTVI today “cannot meet the needs and the demands of our society here in The Bahamas,” Minister Lloyd said faced with the challenge, along with his current annual budget proposals he will be requesting an additional $600,000 for BTVI this year.

Rounding out a ceremony that pointed to very positive developments for BTVI, Minister Lloyd said, “When we look at our beautiful, wonderful, talented, gifted students, this system must respond to their needs in a timely fashion.”

The event was filled with proud supporters and well-wishers.

By: Sydnei L. Isaacs (BIS)

Photo Captions:

Header: Minister of Education, the Hon. Jeffrey Lloyd addresses BTVI’s commencement ceremony on Friday, May 28, 2018.  (BIS Photo/Patrick Hanna)

First insert: The D’Aguilar family is pictured in the foreground at the BTVI graduation ceremony for students in technical and vocational fields. (BIS Photo/Kemuel Stubbs)

Second insert: Scholarship endowment fund established on behalf of the D’Aguilar family to benefit the Bahamas Technical & Vocational Institute, in memory of the late Mr. Vincent D’Aguilar.   Pictured from left at the BTVI commencement ceremony, May 18, 2018: BTVI Chairman Kevin Basden; Minister of Education the Hon. Jeffrey Lloyd; Minister of Tourism & Aviation the Hon. Dionisio D’Aguilar; Mrs. Marina D’Aguilar, wife of the late Vincent D’Aguilar; and President of BTVI Dr. Robert W. Robertson, standing next to photo of Vincent D’Aguilar.   (BIS Photo/Kemuel Stubbs)

Third insert: Students at that important moment. (BIS Photo/Patrick Hanna)

Fourth insert: Graduates and well-wishers filled the room.  (BIS Photo/Kemuel Stubbs)