Bahamas News
Small Island Sustainability Complex Opens at The University of The Bahamas
#Nassau, October 27, 2018 – Bahamas – The G. T. R. Campbell Small Island Sustainability Research Complex was officially opened during an opening at The University of The Bahamas (UB), Thursday, 25th October.
The complex is the result of a gift from the Freedom Foundation, led by Lowell Mortimer. It was built to honour the memory of Mr. George T. R. Campbell, a Scottish Naval Architect. During the 1960s, Campbell began visiting The Bahamas and in 1973 he formed a management company (Campbell Shipping) in Nassau. He died in Tokyo, Japan in 1993.
Delivering remarks on behalf of the Prime Minister was the Minister of Environment and Housing, Hon. Romauld Ferreira, who said that with the rapid development of science and technology, the world is facing complex problems like never before.
“Small island developing states, like the Bahamas, particularly find themselves investigating practicable solutions to energy stability, waste management, disaster response and climate change adaptation as they simultaneously address socio-economic vulnerability issues such as poverty, crime and food insecurity,” said Minister Ferreira.
“To prepare our younger generation to meet the needs of their future and to address current environmental challenges, our educational systems, have to undergo a wide range of reforms.”
Accordingly, UB has placed itself in the position to prepare for the next generation with research centres. Spanning over 17,000 square foot, the George Campbell Small Island Sustainability Research Complex was built with the environment in mind.
President of the UB, Dr. Rodney Smith said that stakeholders took many issues into consideration.
“We were careful and deliberate in determining the location for this teaching and learning research complex. We wanted it to be a part of our thriving and bustling Oakes Field Campus, where students studying for one of our degrees in this signature sustainability programme can easily interact with other students, creating multi-disciplinary synergies for dynamic research,” said President Smith.
“The building itself will help to further uplift the area, adding beauty and interest to our campus. It has been designed so that we can satisfy the criteria required, as we aim to be one of the first LEED certified buildings in The Bahamas. LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. LEED Certified buildings are internationally recognized as Sustainable or ‘Green’ buildings.”
He said, “According to the definition, such buildings are “designed and built using strategies aimed at improving performance across all the metrics that matter most: energy savings, water efficiency, CO2 emissions reduction, improved indoor environmental quality, and stewardship of resources and sensitivity to their impacts.”
The building has three classrooms and a GIS teaching lab, 6 research labs, including 1 aseptic tissue culture Lab – which means that it will be a sterile lab, 11 staff/research offices, and office spaces for visiting researchers, graduate students and laboratory technicians. The six active research laboratories will focus, specifically, on
- Plant Tissue and Bio-technology
- Geospatial Visualization and Informatics
- Food and Natural Products Innovation
- Plant, Soil, and Water Sciences
- Applied Laser and Optical Science Research
- Chemical and Environmental Analysis
Dr. Smith said that the labs would help to revolutionize teaching, research and study in the Small Island Sustainability, or SIS programme.
“I really want to highlight that this building will not only be a hub for student and faculty research at the University but a national and international hub for sustainability research in and for the benefit of The Bahamas – there is space for visiting faculty and researchers. Our programme is a flagship programme, and the research that we produce, will help to change our country in myriad ways for the better,” he said.
He said that once successful, the centre would be able to help with several environmental concerns including:
Mitigation of the adverse effects of environmental and developmental damages;- Conservation and preservation of biodiversity;
- Restoration of ecosystems;
- Increased self-sufficiency and innovation;
- Geospatial visualization and analysis to determine the most sustainable and optimal utilization of our natural resources;
- Improved comprehensive development planning;
- Improved environmental stewardship;
- Research that can be of use to the government in the formulation of public policy; and, finally research on the many aspects of plants and crops, as well as the quality use of bush medicines and other natural products.
By: Betty Vedrine
Release: BIS
Caption: Minister of the Environment and Housing, the Hon. Romauld Ferreira, spoke at the opening ceremony of the G.T. R. Campbell Small Island Sustainability Complex located on the campus of The University of The Bahamas, Thursday, October 25, 2018.
(BIS Photos/Derek Smith)
NASSAU, Bahamas — More Bahamians are accessing HIV and sexually transmitted infection-related healthcare through National Health Insurance, a trend the NHI Authority says should be viewed positively.
NHIA stressed in an August 6 statement that its 2025 figures measure healthcare utilisation, not newly diagnosed infections. They include beneficiaries screened, treated, monitored or receiving follow-up care, including people diagnosed previously.
“Increased utilisation of these services should be viewed as a positive development,” NHIA said.
The Authority pointed to “greater enrolment and use of NHI, improved access to screening and testing, continued treatment and monitoring of existing conditions, and increased willingness to seek medical care.”
The development comes amid a mixed three-year HIV picture. New diagnoses rose from 130 in 2023 to 156 in 2024, before declining to 142 in 2025.
NHIA said increased utilisation demonstrates that more beneficiaries are accessing needed healthcare and actively managing their health, reinforcing the importance of screening, early diagnosis and continued treatment.
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines & Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wines and spirits distributor is proud to announce the launch of Monument Beverage Co., its newest 100% locally produced ready-to-drink alcoholic cocktail.
Monument, “Made to Celebrate”, perfectly encapsulates everything the brand represents. Created and distributed by CWS, Monument is
inspired by culture, crafted with excellence and bursting with innovation.
This unique beverage celebrates island living with three bold flavors, Ginger Lime, Peach Passion and Melon Fizz. All of which can be enjoyed at an ABV of five-point-two percent.
The brand’s creativity really shines through each can’s packaging. Bold colored stripes, cherished native flora and fauna and of course, national monuments can all be found on each can.
The beverage’s two year plus development is a testament to CWS’ dedication to quality and innovation. Countless hours of tastings, reformulations, focus groups and package design reviews all paid off with the creation of Monument.
Karla Wells-Lisgaris, Chief Commercial Officer of Caribbean Wines & Spirits and Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Coca-Cola and Dasani products, shared what this authentically Bahamian made product launch means for the company.
“When we were conceptualizing Monument, we wanted to create a product that not only tasted like The Bahamas but would be an ode to the
nation as well. With those two thoughts in mind, I, along with a team of experts, created three incredible flavors we believe really connect with and celebrate the essence of island living,” she said.
“Additionally, being that Monument is the first product to be 100% manufactured by Caribbean Wines & Spirits, we really wanted to ensure that both the flavors and packaging honored our rich heritage. On each of the cans, you can find various monuments such as the Nassau Public Library in New Providence, the Garden of the Grove in Grand Bahama and the Hatchet Bay Silos in Eleuthera; all of which pay homage to our diverse Bahamian heritage.” Wells-Lisgaris concluded.”
The historic monuments found throughout our islands are more than places we pass every day; they are reminders of who we are, where we’ve come from and the stories that connect us as Bahamians.
Monument is perfectly formulated with quality ingredients, and each can celebrates a collection of these cultural icons from across The Bahamas.
Whether chilling solo beachside, gathered around a family table or backyard a grill with friends, make Monument your sip of choice. Monument is made to celebrate, visit www.cwsbahamas.com today for more details.
NASSAU, Bahamas —– Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Coca-Cola and Dasani products, is proud to crown Lady
Kayla of Exuma as this year’s annual Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup winner.
CBC created the Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup to further the advancement of sailing and Bahamian culture through monetary and social support. The competition judges the skipper’s performance across three regattas, The Best of the Best, the National Family Island and Long Island Regattas.
The winning sloop led by Kianno Hutchinson and Joss Knowles showcased their skillmanship in the E-Class category across each round of competition. In addition to winning the trophy, the skippers were awarded a $5,000 donation, an $8,000 stipend to the junior sailing club of their island and a limited-edition Lady Kayla Bahamas Goombay Punch commemorative can, which will be released soon.
Jonathan Thronebury, Marketing Director of CBC shared the significance behind The Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup.
“The Bahamas Goombay Punch is more than a beloved local brand; it’s a vibrant part of our cultural fabric. Just like sailing, our national sport, it carries a rich legacy that spans generations. Recognizing this shared history, we’re proud to support initiatives that celebrate and advance Bahamian culture,” he said.
Hutchinson and Knowles shared what this win meant for them.
“I felt super proud when I realized we won. I am grateful and thankful to God, for good coaches and Joss. It was really an honor winning the
Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup,” Hutchinson expressed.
“I am very honored to have been able to compete in the Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup, I think it is a great concept and idea for a competition and really adds a new motive throughout the regattas. The whole championship was super competitive, and every single race was a fight. Alvington McKenzie was extremely competitive and had us until the Long Island regatta, which made it a very fun and tough competition. Very excited to have been the winner of a super close championship,” Knowles revealed.
Lady Kayla’s owner, Dallas Knowles, shared the team’s winning strategy.
“In sailing consistency is key and our guys in Lady Kayla are some of the best in the business at staying near the top. In the end, that was enough to secure their first Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup win. We are so proud of Joss and Kianno for what they have done in Lady Kayla. Thank you to Caribbean Bottling Company for such an amazing and forward-thinking initiative,” Knowles shared.
The Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup is proud to continue its impact on sailing and community building through clean and fair competition.
For more updates on the Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup and Caribbean Bottling Company visit the website www.cbcbahamas.com today.
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