The Tribune

WITH year one under its belt, the Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Science Institute is focused on a 2015 academic year where it will continue to build a cadre of trained professionals skilled in the areas of marine science and agriculture, a press release from the organisation said.

Executive director of the Institute Dr Raveenia Roberts-Hanna said the government’s mission to deepen the level of expertise in these fields is being realised as more students take advantage of the opportunity to pursue a degree programme.

“We have almost two dozen new students joining us this year and what we are particularly pleased about is the fact that they come from islands across the archipelago, Cat Island, Grand Bahama, Eleuthera, Great Harbour Cay and even as far away in the south as Crooked Island. As we continue to build our legacy, building a tradition of excellence, more Bahamians will view us as a first option in their pursuit of higher education,” she said.

Agriculture majors Cordena and Cordea Colebrooke, eighteen-year old twins from Red Bays, Andros, said they could not wait to come to BAMSI. As students of North Andros High the two participated in the school’s agriculture programme where they learned about the institute.

Their teacher, Rai Budhu, encouraged them to apply.

“When I first heard about BAMSI I never really wanted to attend,” Cordea said. “I wanted to go either to a university in the States or the University of the West Indies until my teacher told me about it and my dad said you all should go to BAMSI, and especially how I want to be a veterinarian, I’m like why not start here.”

Like many individuals when faced with a new experience, the sisters had their own ideas about what a semester at BAMSI might be like. Cordena thought the entire focus would be on the practical aspects of agriculture.

“I thought we were just going in the field. I didn’t know we were going to do all this school work until orientation and then when I actually came to class it changed – the work just opened my eyes in a good way because I am learning more. Some of the work I’m seeing for the first time and I am enjoying the experience.”

For Nicholl’s Town resident Vondenton Robinson, the choice to come to BAMSI after dealing with the stress of having to work and go to school at the same time was an easy one.

“BAMSI was my first choice. I am interested in marine science and I thought this was a great option,” he said.

Another major point in BAMSI’s favour is that he can achieve his degree while at home. “It’s easier for me because I’m home and I could focus on my classes. Balancing school and a job is hard…and without a car – so I am grateful for the experience.”

Returning student Ian Hepburn, who hails from West End, Grand Bahama, sees his place at BAMSI as a fundamental element to future career success.

“It was refreshing coming back to Andros – feels like a vacation! Coming back to learn about something that you are really passionate about, I was anxious about it, anxious to be here,” he said.

Fuelling his desire in part to soak up as much information as possible as he works to complete his degree is his intention to develop a business plan to support his entry into the entrepreneurial sector.

“Over the summer I purchased a California skiff and I started a little fishing business. One thing I like about BAMSI, they are preparing you to start your own business, and I did this over the summer as a trial run and it was pretty successful.”

With the arrival of all the students, the stage is set for the institute’s first crop of expected graduates who are entering their final year of studies, BAMSI’s press release said.

This summer BAMSI, led by the institute’s President Godfrey Eneas and his executive team, formalized a memorandum of understanding with China’s Ocean University.

The agreement allows BAMSI students to attend the university as they continue their education to the bachelor’s or master’s degree level.

Along with the start of a new academic year, BAMSI has also moved its teaching facilities to the BARTARD Building located on the campus site along Queen’s Highway south, in North Andros.