Connect with us

Bahamas News

UNIVERSITY OF THE BAHAMAS (NORTHERN CAMPUS) OFFICIAL OPENING CEREMONY FOR HAWKSBILL HALL GBPA Acting Chairman Sarah St George Remarks May 7th 2018 10a.m

Published

on

#Bahamas, May 10, 2018 – Grand Bahama – The Hon. Peter Turnquest, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance; Senator The Hon. Kay Forbes Smith, President of the Senate; The Hon. Iram Lewis, Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Works and Member of Parliament for Central Grand Bahama; The Honourable Pakeisha Parker Edgecombe, Member of Parliament for West End and Bimini and Parliamentary Secretary in the PM’s office; MP for Pineridge, The Honourable Frederick McAlpine; Senior Government Officials, and Island Administrator Don Cornish; Assistant Commissioner of Police, Samuel Butler; Pastor Robert Lockhart, President of the Grand Bahama Christian Council; Rev. Keith Russell and other Members of the Clergy;
Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the University of The Bahamas, Dr. Jonathan Rodgers; Dr. Rodney Smith, President of the University of The Bahamas; Dr. Ian Strachan, Vice President, UB-North; Miss Davinia Blair, VP of Institutional Advancement and Alumni Affairs; Faculty, Staff and Students of the UB and UB North; Dean of Students, MC and old family friend, Dr. Teo Cooper; My fellow GBPA colleagues, Ian Rolle, Deann Seymour, my brother Henry St. George, Rupert Hayward- Sir Jack’s grandson and my godson- So many other colleagues and friends here today, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls, Good Morning!

On behalf of the Grand Bahama Port Authority, I’d like to thank the University of The Bahamas warmly for arranging this happy event, and for inviting us all here today! I’d also like to congratulate my good friend UB President Dr. Rodney Smith and the entire UB for realising another milestone – Grand Bahama’s very own campus dorms, to be known hereinafter, as Hawksbill Hall!

Dr. Oliver Goldsmith said: “Life is a journey that must be travelled, no matter how bad the Road and Accommodations”. Well, today these new dormitories should make the road a little shorter, and life a little more accommodating for 86 new young aspiring academics. And, especially important for the girls, this also offers a safe and healthy living environment, complete with its own in-house Hall Director, Vivian McIntosh (and you don’t mess with a McIntosh, I know, because we have three at the GBPA!).

Significantly, there’s a Gym, Computer Lab, Recreation Room, and Cafeteria within these walls. There’s also a Laundry and that’s a good thing, because if you rearrange the nine (9) letters in the word ‘Dormitory’ you get the anagram ‘Dirty Room’! And I speak from personal experience; I was a school boarder myself from the age of 8, as my mother died when I was very young. And in my school house, we used to get marks for ‘Neatness’. I once put a sign on my door which read; “My room was tidy – Sorry you missed it!”

But whether we’re younger or older I think in Life we all need Mentors.  And one of mine, whom I’m privileged to mention, is His Excellency, Sir Arthur Foulkes the former Governor General and one of the Nation’s Founding Fathers.  As it happens, Sir Arthur celebrated his 90th birthday last Friday in Nassau in the company of three Prime Ministers, The Rt. Hon. Hubert Alexander Minnis, Hubert Alexander Ingraham and Perry Gladstone Christie, among many other luminaries.

As you can imagine, wisdom and wit abounded. Sir Arthur spoke last.  He reminded us how fortunate we are today, but noted it wasn’t always thus. He said in the old days most Bahamian children had to leave school at the age of fourteen (14), though he himself managed a reprieve to the age of fifteen (15)!  But even in my day, girls mostly left school before eighteen (18).  I was a boarder at a girl school in England called Heathfield, where the motto was “The Merit of One is the Honour of All”. And so, if any girl ever got into University, the whole school was given the day off!  And I can only remember about two days off in the whole time I was there.

Sir Arthur’s remarks on Friday were right on topic, because he said, and I quote, “Despite the challenges which remain in education, today we have thousands of young Bahamians with College degrees, including Doctorates, and of course we now have our very own University of The Bahamas!” End Quote.  Indeed we do!

My father Edward St George and Sir Jack Hayward both dreamed of this Campus and donated fifty (50) acres to build it.  By 2015, it was clear these dorms were a must, so the late Sir Jack and I joined the COB Chairman, and the Minister of Education, to announce that the Government and the GBPA would both commit the funding to make it happen! The GBPA contributed $3 million and the dorms began construction. And then last year, by happy confluence, the COB transitioned to the University of The Bahamas or UB.

Now, UB Students from West End and East End can eliminate their long commute by living-in. And ‘Northern Bahamas Campus’ means this facility isn’t just for Grand Bahama, it’s for all the islands of the Northern Bahamas and even Nassau too. So we can look forward to a new Vibrancy!

I must also commend Arthur Jones for his tireless efforts to champion this project. He promoted the use of modern building techniques deployed at the Shipyard in their refurbishment of state-of-the-art cruise ships. We introduced Almaco the Finnish experts in modular design, and, together with local contractor Jan Builders, they were able to halve the construction cost, so the GBPA’s contribution represented two-thirds of the total cost rather than the one-third previously mooted.

Hawksbill Hall harbours fourteen (14) suites, each containing two (2) double rooms and two (2) singles with their own common room; In total twenty-eight (28) doubles and twenty-eight (28) singles, plus another two (2) double rooms fully-equipped with Handicapped access.  There’s one bathroom for every three (3) students, and last week, poor Mr. Beckles accidentally got himself locked inside one, for some time.  Thankfully he just happened to have a screwdriver on him – otherwise he might still be there! But Cyril Beckles had done everyone a favour, highlighting a design glitch and now all is well.

GBPA’s been privileged to play a major role in the founding of many schools on the island, from Bishop Michael Eldon over fifty (50) years ago to Sir Jack Hayward High and St Georges High; Also Beacon, the old Hawksbill High, Eight Mile Rock High, and Sunland, to name a few. To each High School, we give Top Achiever Awards annually.

We also offer one hundred (100) Tertiary Scholarships a year, and about thirty (30) of these scholarships go to Grand Bahama students on UB courses; Among our GBPA Team here today are COB graduates, Roosevelt Rolle a scholarship recipient, Marlene Hepburn, Desmeka Evans and Michelle Riley. But would all the COB graduates here please stand up and take a bow!

Education and Practice go hand-in-hand- for example the UB and GB Shipyard joined forces to offer a two (2) year Associate Degree in Engineering; And we may see far more of these Public/Private sector partnerships.  I know Greg Wood and Hazel Alvarado are in the audience today, so perhaps new investor, GIBC Digital, might work with UB, to jumpstart our Tech Sector!

We also recognize sowing the seeds of excellence early which is why we sponsor and mentor a Junior Achievement Group. You’ve heard the expression – Out of the acorn grows a Mighty Oak! And just a week ago, our Group was awarded JA Company of the Year for the sixth term running! In these weekly sessions, GBPA Volunteers teach young students about business, and how to become Entrepreneurs.

But a dorm is a real incubator of ideas; and I remember we were urged to treat ours as “a springboard not a mattress”.  Author Eric Ries said; “The Best Entrepreneurship happens in low-stake environments where no one is paying attention, like Mark Zuckerberg’s dorm room at Harvard”. (And one of his clever dorm mates was my successful nephew Antony Clavel, who was Facebook’s 5th member).

Mark Zuckerberg himself said; “When I started Facebook from my dorm room, the idea that my roommates and I talked about all the time, was a world that was more open.  I literally coded Facebook in my dorm room and launched it from my dorm room”.  And, wrote media dashboard creator Ryan Holmes, “From those humble origins, Social Media crept from the Dorm Room into the Boardroom”.  It reminds me of a dorm sign by Steven Anderson, an educator which read – “Alone, we are smart.  Together, we are Brilliant!”

So I hope to see great friendships and great things emerge from this humble building in years to come.  Again on Friday, Sir Arthur said; “Nation-building is a never-ending process in which all of us are engaged, or ought to be engaged”.

And I’ll end with his words because I can’t put it better than he did; Addressing the youth Sir Arthur said, “To those young people, who are so inclined, I say: Do not be hesitant! Prepare yourself.  Get in the Game!  We still have a Nation to build, and we need our very best to this task!”

Thank you very much.

 

Photo Caption: 

Header: Pictured center, bringing remarks: Ms. Sarah St. George, GBPA Acting Chairman; Pictured right to left: Dr. Teo Cooper, Dean of Students; Dr. Rodney Smith, UB President; Hon. K. Peter

Turnquest, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance; Dr. Ian Strachan, UB North Vice President; Miss Davinia Blair, Vice President of Institutional Advancement and Alumni Affairs.

 

Continue Reading

Bahamas News

Ayla Isaacs Unveils Transformative Guide Amidst Challenging Times

Published

on

Bahamian author Ayla Isaacs is making an impactful debut in the literary world with her book, “Achieving Optimum Spiritual Health—Transforming Your Wellbeing With Diet, Exercise, and Rest.” As crime rates surge and the aftermath of the pandemic leaving many grappling with hopelessness and a sense of abandonment, Isaacs’ guide offers a beacon of hope and a roadmap for personal transformation, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing spiritual resilience in navigating adversity.

Long-time Bahamian physician Dr. Horizal Simmons says, “Ms. Isaacs not only states the spiritual ingredient that we should use for our therapy, but she also explains how it works in our spiritual system and the beneficial changes that will bring the desired transformation or spiritual health benefits.” Applauding the soundness of the book and paralleling it to physical wellness, Dr. Simmons said he highly recommends it to anyone serious about their spiritual well-being and health.

Isaacs is a highly experienced Project Manager who draws from her background in Civil and Environmental Engineering, International Business, and Christian ministry, whether a physical structure or the wellbeing of an individual’s life. Her published work shows that she strongly believes in building with structural integrity. Isaacs provides readers with a holistic approach to welfare beyond traditional self-help. She explores the transformative power of simple spiritual practices integrated into daily life. Isaacs believes that prioritizing spiritual health can help individuals find inner fulfillment and a sense of purpose, which she believes are essential in combating the prevailing hopelessness.

Coach Gregory Cash, who has spent decades helping to develop great athletes and leaders in the country, believes the unique perspective shared, especially relating to spiritual exercise, can touch the hearts of so many. Wendy Fernander, PhD., a licensed clinical psychologist and president of the Bahamas Psychological Association, noted that too few of us think about our spiritual diet, which results in our spiritual wellbeing. When asked about the book, Dr. Fernander said, “This book will provoke you to do serious soul searching.”

Amid the challenges communities face, Isaacs encourages readers to initiate a positive “me” movement—a focus on self-improvement that, when embraced collectively, can lead to stronger families, churches, and nations. According to Isaacs, strengthened individuals become catalysts for positive change within their immediate circles, creating a ripple effect that extends to broader communities.

Ayla Isaacs, whose roots go back to South Eleuthera, is a founding member of the Smart and Strong Sisterhood (SASS) and the creative mind behind A.I. Paper, a gift-wrapping paper and bag company that celebrates the islands of The Bahamas. Isaacs believes that investing in spiritual wellbeing is pivotal for personal growth and resilience. A conference speaker who is actively involved in church ministries and affiliated with several civic organizations, Isaacs firmly believes in the balance between personal and community wellbeing.

“Achieving Optimum Spiritual Health” is now available on Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com in paperback and eBook form and locally at Oasis Bookstore in Nassau. Isaacs encourages readers to embark on a transformative journey and be architects of their spiritual wellbeing. In times of uncertainty, “Achieving Optimum Spiritual Health” offers a guide and a message of hope and empowerment for individuals seeking personal and communal transformation.

Continue Reading

Bahamas News

Tired of Taking Notes? The new Samsung Galaxy S24 Will Transcribe and Summarize Your Voice Notes In A Snap! 

Published

on

 

NASSAU, Bahamas – Faster, smarter and more convenient than ever before, the new Samsung Galaxy S24 will revolutionize your productivity with its new Transcript Assist and Browsing Assist features. In the continuous pursuit of delivering innovative solutions that enhance productivity and user experience, Samsung Electronics is proud to introduce two groundbreaking features: Transcript Assist and Browsing Assist.

The Transcript Assist feature, powered by Galaxy’s advanced artificial intelligence, takes note-taking to a whole new level by enabling users to easily convert voice notes and conversations into useful and accessible notes. Whether in a business meeting, conference, or casual conversation, the Galaxy S24’s Transcript Assist makes capturing information easier than ever.

By utilizing Transcript Assist, users can effortlessly record any conversation with multiple speakers and transform it into a clear and concise transcript with just a few taps. This feature is particularly useful for those who need to keep a detailed record of discussions and decisions made during important meetings or collaborative work sessions.

“With Transcript Assist, we’re redefining the way people take notes and record information,” said Gianmarco Leri, Product Manager at Samsung Electronics. “No longer do you have to worry about missing important details during a conversation. With the Galaxy S24, you can capture every word and turn it into a useful reference that you can easily review and share.”

In addition to generating accurate transcripts, the Transcript Assist feature also offers the ability to generate quick summaries of conversations, as well as the option to translate the entire transcript into different languages, facilitating communication and collaboration among people from different regions and cultures.

On the other hand, the Browsing Assist feature allows users to navigate more efficiently and conveniently on their Galaxy S24 devices by providing intelligent and contextual suggestions during web browsing and online content exploration.

The Galaxy S24, equipped with Transcript Assist and Browsing Assist, marks the beginning of a new era of productivity and convenience in mobile devices. These innovative features demonstrate Samsung Electronics’ continued commitment to providing advanced tools that help people achieve their goals more effectively and efficiently in everyday life.

So, get ready! The new Samsung Galaxy S24 will be coming soon to tech stores in The Bahamas soon.

Continue Reading

Bahamas News

Weather Systems Affect Cuba and The Bahamas

Published

on

Rashaed Esson

Staff Writer

#Weather#Cuba#TheBahamas, March 25th, 2024 – Serious weather struck The Bahamas and Cuba over the weekend, both nations receiving warnings from their meteorological entities. The Bahamas was affected by severe thunderstorms.  In fact, an area of the Carnival Freedom Cruise Ship, which was 20 miles off Eleuthera, Bahamas, caught fire and reports say it was possibly due to a lightning strike.  Fortunately no lives were reported lost.

Meanwhile, Cuba had intense rainfall and hailstorms, resulting in damage to surrounding areas, thousands left without electricity amid fallen trees and Flash Floods.

 

Continue Reading

FIND US ON FACEBOOK

TRENDING