Bahamas Information Services

GRAND BAHAMA, The Bahamas — On Saturday, August 23, 2025, Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry for Grand Bahama and Member of Parliament for West Grand Bahama and Bimini, Kingsley Smith along with Deputy Director of Education for the Grand Bahama, Bimini, and The Cays District, Michelle Bowleg toured Holmes Rock Junior High School to assess ongoing progress and ensure the project remains on track to welcome students for the new academic term in September.

Following the tour, Smith expressed optimism regarding the ongoing progress, stating, “Having toured the site and seeing the work that is being done on the weekend, shows the commitment and dedication to getting it completed.”

He also noted that after discussions with the contractors, he was assured that with sufficient manpower and around-the-clock work, the project remains on track for completion by September 1, 2025.

“One of our underlying goals is really access, so we are happy that the school will be up and ready for our students,” said Bowleg.

She highlighted that several zoom meetings were held with parents to keep them informed about key updates including booklists, uniforms, and staffing. According to Bowleg, feedback from parents has been overwhelmingly positive.

“It is a beautiful facility, one that parents will be very proud of, and the entire West Grand Bahama community,” she added.

(BIS Photos/Danielle Rollon)

Belize City, Belize (Aug 19, 2025) – Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK), the world’s largest cruise company, recently welcomed 40 students from five educational institutions in Belize aboard the Carnival Paradise cruise ship. The visit was part of an initiative organized in collaboration with the Belize Tourism Board, aimed at inspiring future careers in the maritime industry.

The students represented Gwen Lizarraga High School, Sadie Vernon Technical High School, Nazarene High School, Anglican Cathedral College, and the Hope Center after-school program. The visit provided a firsthand look at cruise industry operations from Carnival’s perspective, highlighted onboard career opportunities, and supported ongoing youth empowerment efforts in Belize City.

During the guided tour of the ship’s public guest areas, the students were able to observe daily cruise operations up close, describing the experience as inspiring and educational, with many noting they learned about opportunities available in the cruise industry.

Captain Ivan Vatovic, Chief Engineer Domenico Bibita; Hotel Director Vivek Menon; Food & Beverage Director Stephen Kim Reynolds; Human Resources Director Daniel Marques De Oliveira; and Environmental Officer Daniela Ramos Licon spoke with the students about their respective roles aboard the ship. Learning & Development Manager John Philip Ortega provided an overview of Carnival Cruise Line’s recruitment process and the various shipboard career opportunities available.

Kwame Scott, Cruise Relations Specialist at the Belize Tourism Board, highlighted the positive impact of the initiative, “Partnering with Carnival Corporation has supported us to expose Belizean youth to viable career paths within the tourism sector. When students can see firsthand how the cruise industry operates, it opens their minds to possibilities they may never have considered.”

Julian Mortis, Director of The Hope Center, praised the program’s powerful educational value in an interview with 7 News Belize. She explained that the tour provided students with more than just a glimpse into a cruise ship. By learning about the roles and requirements, the children realized that a career on a ship, and the opportunity to travel the world, was a real and achievable possibility for them.

Photo Caption: Some of the participating Belizean students and teachers pose for a group photo aboard Carnival Paradise during an educational ship visit.

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Monday, 11 August 2025: The Governor’s Office is pleased to announce that two outstanding individuals from the Turks and Caicos Islands have been awarded Chevening Scholarships to pursue their master’s degree in the UK.

• Rashaunda Cooke MSc Forensic Investigation
• Zaria Ingham MA International Public Relations and Global Management

Her Excellency the Governor, Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam, warmly congratulated the awardees, stating: ‘We are immensely proud of Rashaunda Cooke and Zaria Ingham on being awarded the prestigious Chevening Scholarship. This achievement is a testament to their dedication, hard work and exceptional capabilities. As they pursue their studies in the UK, I know that the Turks and Caicos Islands stands proudly behind them. We look forward to the knowledge, growth and global perspective they will gain and the meaningful contributions they will make upon their return to our Islands.’

Rashaunda Cooke and Zaria Ingham join a distinguished network of Turks and Caicos Islands Chevening Alumni. They are both set to depart for their studies in the upcoming weeks.

Apply Now

Applications are now open for the 2026/2027 Chevening Awards, providing full funding for emerging leaders to undertake a master’s degree in the UK. We encourage our future leaders to apply for this highly regarded opportunity. For full details on eligibility and how to apply for the 26/27 academic intake, visit: chevening.org/scholarships

The scholarships are open to individuals from all backgrounds who can demonstrate that they have the commitment required to become future leaders and can show how their postgraduate studies will help them to create positive change in their country. The scholarship offers full financial support for scholars to study for any eligible master’s degree at over 150 UK universities whilst also gaining access to a wide range of exclusive academic,  professional and cultural experiences.

Deadline

All applications must be submitted online by 7 October 2025 at 12:00 GMT / 07:00 EST via: Turks and Caicos Islands (Chevening Scholarship) | Chevening

Take this step. Lead the change. Become a Chevening Scholar.