With the support of The Canadian Lyford Cay Foundation, scholars Christopher Fernander and Nicola Smith are furthering their education and pioneering opportunities for Bahamians. Both scholars have chosen to pursue their education in Canada, a country widely known for its affordable living, diverse population, safe environment, low tuition fees and high standards in education.
"Through the Foundation, there are many opportunities for Bahamians to study abroad in Canada and come back to use their newly developed skills here in The Bahamas." said Maureen French, managing director of the Lyford Cay Foundations.
"We applaud Nicola and Christopher for blazing trails in innovative fields that are not often pursued."
Christopher Fernander is the recipient of a Technical Scholarship which he is using to study commercial diving at Holland College in Prince Edward Island, Canada. After being introduced to scuba diving in 10th grade, Fernander was hooked. He quickly advanced to higher levels of certification locally and began researching how he could transform his passion into a viable career.
Fernander is due to graduate with a certificate this year and will go on to attend Seneca College for a week-long dive medical technician course to further enhance his training, before returning home to New Providence to finish his tenure with the Royal Bahamas Defence Force while saving to start his own commercial dive company.
"Canada is very progressive and one thing I learnt is that the trades are just as important as your lawyers and doctors," said Fernander when asked how he felt about Bahamians pursuing scholarships to study in Canada. "The decision to study in Canada was well thought out and I have no regrets venturing this far away from home."
Graduate scholar Nicola Smith is equally enthusiastic about the support she's received from the Foundation. Smith is pursuing her Ph.D. in Marine Biology at Simon Fraser University in British Columbia, Canada. Smith's inquisitive nature, outstanding academics accomplishments and appreciation for nature made marine biology a perfect career fit. Smith is certain that she wants to return to The Bahamas upon graduation in 2017 and contribute to nation-building by helping to foster a culture of science where citizens make informed, evidence-based decisions about the environment. She believes that she will be able to use the knowledge and skills that she has acquired to teach at the tertiary level or act as an environmental consultant in the private or public sector.
Smith completed her Bachelor of Science in Toronto, her Masters of Science in Vancouver, and is now completing her Ph.D. just outside of Vancouver. Her extensive experience in Canada has given her insight into what the opportunity to study abroad could be like for other Bahamians.
"Studying in Canada has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I feel most alive and fulfilled when I am in a safe, nurturing and intellectually challenging environment," said Smith. "I can sum up what the scholarship means to me in one word -- opportunity. Many people have dreams, perseverance, discipline and a strong work ethic. Unfortunately however, without access to the right opportunities, many people fail to accomplish their dreams."
The Canadian Lyford Cay Foundation awards are valued up to $15,000 per academic year with two special undergraduate awards valued up to $25,000 per academic year.
To learn more about scholarship opportunities with the Lyford Cay Foundations, visit www.lyfordcayfoundation.org. Online applications for Fall 2015 enrolment are due by April 15
About The Lyford Cay Foundation:
Lyford Cay Foundation, Inc. and The Canadian Lyford Cay Foundation are private philanthropic organizations established in 1969 and 1977, respectively. The Foundations' mission is to invest in learning opportunities for children, young adults, families and communities, all made possible by the generosity of donors. Through a variety of programs the Foundations assist children in school as they prepare for college, students leaving school with scholarships to attend college in The Bahamas and abroad, and non-profits providing learning opportunities. To date more than $45 million has been invested in the lives of Bahamians.
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