Bahamas News
Growing Focus on Internationalization in Higher Education
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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NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products concluded their 10 weeklong Twist To Win campaign with four $5,000 Mall at Marathon shopping sprees.
The campaign which was available throughout the entire Bahamas allowed consumers to enter by purchasing a 20oz bottle with a yellow cap
from the following brands: Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola No Sugar, Sprite, Fanta Orange, or Fanta Grape. Each yellow-cap had a unique alpha numeric code underneath which they submitted to the Twist To Win WhatsApp number.
With each qualifying purchase, participants residing in The Bahamas were entered to win instant prizes and into a grand prize draw to win one of four $5,000 shopping sprees at the Mall at Marathon.
Participants also enjoyed exciting instant prizes such as: Airpods, JBL Speakers, premium Coca-Cola merchandise, $500 Visa gift cards and Amazon, Spotify and Apple Music digital gift cards.
Out of 76,000 plus submissions, Brian Bethel, Ashia Demeritte, Merlin Adams, and Taraceta Neely won the coveted Mall at Marathon shopping sprees at the following select stores, Kelly’s House & Home, The Sports Center, John Bull, Brass & Leather, and BTC.
Leading up to the grand finale shopping spree, Coca-Cola hosted a Trivia Showdown with the eight finalists to determine the four winners. Finalists were tested on their knowledge of World History, Pop Culture, Caribbean Bottling Company and Coca-Cola Facts!
After a few rousing rounds of trivia, the four winners were declared after each winning their spot in the shopping spree by answering their questions correctly and choosing the “Grand Prize” Coca-Cola labeled bottles at random.
The morning of the shopping spree Coca-Cola gave the winners exclusive access to the Mall at Marathon and its participating stores before
their usual operating hours. Grand prize winners were greeted with wide smiles from Coca-Cola brand representatives and morning bites before the big event.
At the start of the thirty-minute clock the grand prize winners along with each of their Coca-Cola shopping assistants ran to the various stores collecting items in their arms and carts.
Merlin Adams, a husband and father of four was proud to have executed his game-plan at the end of the shopping spree. With toys, a new phone and materials for his home from Kelly’s, Adams felt accomplished in what he gathered.
Taraceta Neely, a winner from Eleuthera collected beautiful bags for herself and relatives from Brass and Leather and Brian Bethel bought matching athletic and outdoor wear from The Sports Center for his family.
The final winner Ashia Demeritte bought linens and household items in addition to a new phone from BTC right in time for Christmas.
Caribbean Bottling Company is proud to share the real magic of Coca-Cola with the grand prize winners and the may instant prize winners across the Twist To Win campaign. For more updates on new products, promotions, and events follow www.cbcbahamas.com.
Bahamas News
The Coca-Cola Art Project Astonishes Art Lovers at The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products displayed
their astonishing Coca-Cola Art Project (CCAP), during Baha Mar’s five-day Culinary & Arts Festival. Earlier this year, Coca-Cola partnered with The University of The Bahamas’ Visual Art and Design Department for a culturally rich art competition. UB’s art students were challenged to create pieces surrounding the theme, Bahamian music.
As a result, 20 student works of art were made, with four students declared as winners at the CCAP exhibit opening in Baha Mar’s ECCHO: Art Gallery in August. To recreate the culturally stimulating magic felt at the exhibit’s premiere, the CCAP was featured at the FUZE Art Tent during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival.
Nine incredible pieces of art lined the walls of the Coca-Cola Art Project, four of which included the winning pieces from Jhanaisia Cole,
with ‘Gaulin Bride’; Alyssa Pinder, with ‘Shotgun Wedding’; Nelson Gray, with ‘Untitled’; and Jaela Bowe, with the piece ‘Whims of Obeah, a Folktail’. Additionally, an intimate listening room was built. It displayed students’ artistic processes, UB Visual Art and Design representatives, and a recap of the exhibit opening for audiences.
Art enthusiasts also enjoyed premium limited-edition CCAP keepsakes at the booth. Journals which featured a collage of all 20 student submissions on the front and back cover, postcards with an art piece on the cover along with the student’s name, title, dimension and materials on the back and pens designed with the CCAP’s dynamic logo.
Throughout the art festival diverse groups of people visited the art tent taking in the displays while enjoying the artistic insights from the
listening booth.
Community and culture are always at the forefront of Caribbean Bottling Community, and it was boldly showcased during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival for the third consecutive year.
For more details on the Coca-Cola Art Project, events and new products visit www.cbcbahamas.com today!
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines & Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wines and spirits distributor delighted Jollification
attendees with bubbles from their Bottega and Bouvet Ladubay sparkling wines and Besserat de Bellefon champagne lines.
Located in the Monument Circle on The Retreat grounds, CWS transformed The Retreat Garden into a lush lounge with Besserat, Bouvet and their latest product addition, Bottega, during the two-day affair.
The festivities kicked off Friday during BNT Member’s Night. Guests enjoyed exclusive offerings from CWS’s catalogue, offered exclusively to members. Complimentary mixes or glasses on the rocks included El Tequileno tequila, Hard Truth whiskey, House of Angostura rum, Cross Keys gin, Nemiroff vodka and a slew of wines such as Fonesca Bin, Bottega and Besserat.
Guests also savored the ‘Jolly Paloma’ cocktail, an instant favorite made with El Tequileno tequila, Schweppes Grapefruit and Domaine de Paris rose wine. To end the night, guests were treated to branded limited-edition wine tumblers as keepsakes.
On Saturday and Sunday, Jollification attendees delighted in glasses or bottles of champagne and sparkling brut or rosé wines while taking
in the comfort of the chic lounge. In addition to purchasing bottles for onsite consumption, consumers were also able to purchase bottles as gifts whether for themselves or someone special.
The sophisticated “bubble lounge” lounge was decked with velvet couches, gold rimmed cocktail tables, blue and pink pillows, and a white floral branded backdrop created for capturing the perfect picture.
Caribbean Wines & Spirits, a historic partner of the Bahamas National Trust was pleased to support Jollification 2025 to kick off the festive season and share their expansive range of spirits.
To keep up to date with all CWS products and events, visit their website at www.cwsbahamas.com today.
