Bahamas News
BAHAMAS: Aerospace Engineer and STEM Champion to Deliver UB Commencement Address
#TheBahamas, May 24, 2021 – Bahamian-American aerospace engineer and entrepreneur Aisha Bowe will address more than 600 members of the Spring 2021 Commencement Class of University of The Bahamas (UB) during the university’s virtual commencement ceremony scheduled for 27th May 2021.
An enthusiastic advocate of increasing underrepresented communities in the Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) field, Ms. Bowe is the Chief Executive Officer of STEMBoard, a technology solutions company that creates smart systems and solutions for large-scale government and private-sector clients. She once served as an aerospace engineer at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in the United States.
The Spring 2021 Commencement Class is UB’s second cohort of graduands completing their academic requirements since the COVID-19 pandemic, a lingering national and international crisis. Ms. Bowe will speak on the theme, “Unleashing Our Creativity: The Key to A Sustainable Future” and will impart advice and lessons to help guide graduating seniors as they embark on a new path in an era of grave uncertainty, turmoil and opportunity.
Born in the United States to a working-class family whose patriarch was born and raised in The Bahamas, Ms. Bowe was driven by a desire to achieve her dreams in spite of other people’s doubts and the challenges of navigating environments where few people looked like her. Her mantra, “You belong in any room you choose to enter” reflects the realization she gained from her academic and professional experiences, that belief and persistence are integral ingredients for achieving one’s goals.
Ms. Bowe earned both a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering (B.S.E) and a Masters in Space Systems Engineering (M. Eng.), from the University of Michigan, before beginning a high profile, prestigious, and transformative career at NASA. She joined NASA’s Ames Research Center, which is well known for its world-class research in air traffic management, conducted in collaboration with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to make air travel safer, less expensive and more efficient for the flying public.
While at Ames, she worked as a Mission Engineer on Nanosatellite programs, before serving as a published researcher in the Flight Trajectory Dynamics & Controls Branch of the Aviation Systems Division. Her work focused on developing methods to maintain safe separation of air traffic and optimize fuel consumption within automated systems. Six years after serving at NASA and determined to help inspire and make space for other minorities in technology, she founded STEMBoard, an engineering solutions company, where she currently serves as CEO. A primary mandate of her organization is to ‘democratize technology’ by inspiring those from under-represented communities to pursue STEM careers. In 2020, STEMBoard ranked in the top half of Inc. Magazine’s Inc. 5000 list of fastest growing companies in America.
A thought leader, visionary and philanthropist, Ms. Bowe has worked over the years to raise the profile of STEM and encourage Bahamians to aspire towards these careers. She also created the Hack<IT> STEM camp in The Bahamas with a focus on introducing hundreds of Bahamian youth to these career options.
More recently, in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic, STEMBoard launched LINGO, a self-paced, at-home coding kit, to help support educators and students in the new remote and hybrid educational structures imposed by distance learning. Today, LINGO is used by students worldwide and is the chosen academic support tool of various private and public schools across the United States, non-profit institutions, as well as programs sponsored by tech giants including Microsoft and General Electric.
Ms. Bowe is a member of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) and the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA). She has received numerous awards to her credit including: The 2020 Outstanding Alumna Award – University of Michigan Engineering; The 40 Under 40: Tech Diversity in Silicon Valley; U.S. Women’s Chamber of Commerce Emerging Star Award; and NASA’s Engineering Honor Award.
In addition to the virtual commencement ceremony for New Providence on 27th May, UB’s Spring 2021 Commencement events include the traditional Baccalaureate Service and Teachers Commissioning Ceremony (25th May); School of Nursing and Allied Health Professions Ceremony and Awards Ceremony (26th May) and the University of The Bahamas-North Commencement Ceremony (3rd June). The events will be live streamed and held via a virtual meeting platform. All information is available at www.ub.edu.bs
Photo Caption: Ms. Aisha Bowe, chief executive officer of STEMBoard
Rashaed Esson
Staff Writer
#TheBahamas#RoyalCaribbean, April 23, 2024- After being delayed following its announcement in 2020, Royal Caribbean’s new 17 acre Royal Beach Club on Paradise Island in Nassau, Bahamas, is now in the works and is scheduled to be ready for 2025, according to reports. A groundbreaking ceremony was held on Monday April 22, signifying the start of construction in the next few months. This project is huge for The Bahamas as it’s a first of kind for the nation, with a unique public private partnership allowing Bahamians to hold up to 49 percent in equity.
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
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