The Tribune

A WEB portfolio that supports online courses and distance learning and a more comprehensive library database have added to the technology platform at the Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Science Institute (BAMSI) and strengthened the institution’s position as a centre for research.

Executive Director Dr Raveenia Roberts Hanna says the technology upgrade advances BAMSI’s mission to reach the furthest corners of the Bahamas, sharing knowledge, bridging the gap and building a community of educated farmers.

“The Flexi-Choice Program [the distance learning application] and EBSCO [the research database] together represent the future of learning - students are no longer tied to the classroom, physical books, even pens and paper - and also point to BAMSI’s ability to enlarge the wealth of knowledge students have access to.”

According to Dr Hanna, the Flexi-Choice Program has an online and on-campus component. Students complete the theoretical portion of the course online and then visit the campus for a short period over the summer to complete the practical component. “This gives students the right amount of freedom, motivation and support to fit relevant BAMSI courses such as backyard farming, introduction to horticulture and introduction to aquaculture, into their schedules,” she said.

With EBSCO, an online reference system that gives students, faculty and administration access to some 12,000 academic and scientific journals related to agriculture, marine science and aquaculture, coming onstream, it means that research completed by educators, scientists and professionals at the top of their field globally can now be accessed by students and staff. BAMSI, in its third year of operation, also intends to share its new platform with communities where it has an office - Long Island, Eleuthera, Andros and Grand Bahama.

Agribusiness and economics lecturer Jeri Kelly, who hosts the Institute’s first online course - agribusiness management and entrepreneurship - said the online portal broadens the scope of BAMSI’s reach. It will allow BAMSI to conduct online courses which, in practical terms, means “continued growth, continued expansion, gives the Institute the ability to reach out to new markets, new islands, and it is our hope to see international students utilising our course offerings and the online programme allows that,” she noted.

The institute currently has two courses in session, post-harvest management and agribusiness management and entrepreneurship, with three students participating in the initial trial. In future, the agribusiness course will be offered online exclusively. For the January term, BAMSI’s agrotourism course is also expected to be offered online, as well as a number of short courses for public consumption.

The new platform also allows BAMSI to bring the Institute’s resources to Family Island communities.

“Our location can be a challenge, persons may want additional information or to participate in one of our short courses, but may not be able to relocate.

“This allows them to receive the necessary information because it acts as an educational bridge for the Bahamas and for BAMSI,” Ms Kelly said.