With year one successfully under its belt, the Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Science Institute faculty (BAMSI) is focused on a 2015-2016 academic year where it will continue to build a cadre of trained professionals skilled in the areas of marine science and agriculture. Institute Executive Director Dr. Raveenia Roberts-Hanna said the mission to deepen the level of expertise in the fields of study is being realized as more students take advantage of the opportunity to pursue a degree program.

“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.

With the arrival of the students, the stage is set for the Institute’s first crop of expected graduates who are entering their final year of studies. For the BAMSI class of 2016 the groundwork has already been laid for those who want to continue in their chosen field.

Earlier this summer BAMSI, led by the Institute’s president, Godfrey Eneas and his executive team formalized a memorandum of understanding between the Institute and China’s Ocean University. The agreement allows BAMSI students to attend the university as they continue their education to the bachelor or master’s degree level. The agreement is just one of a number of partnerships with international universities, including a partnership with the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science.

Along with the start of the 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. The relocation puts students closer to the tutorial farm where much of their learning, research and experiments take place.

BAMSI’s orientation period proved to be an exciting, perhaps even challenging one for new students who were caught up in a five-day whirlwind of activities including entrance exams an adventurous tour of the North Andros community, a church service and a list of bustling movement and meetings in between. The returning students experienced a more relaxed pace, having been through similar sessions just one year ago. They were just anxious to settle in to begin another semester.

Agriculture majors Cordena and Cordea Colebrooke, 18-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 program where they learned about the Institute. In fact, it was their teacher, Rai Budhu, who encouraged them to apply.

“When I first heard about BAMSI I never really wanted to attend,” Cordea admits. “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 [we] should go to BAMSI.”

Cordea who wants to be a veterinarian thought BAMSI would be a good place to start her post-secondary education.

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

“I thought we were just going in the field,” she said. “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 enrol in 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,” said Robinson.

According to Robinson, the first few weeks of class underscored his choice — smaller, more personalized sessions that allow for greater access to lecturers is something he really likes, along with the fact that he is able to sit in classes that relate directly to his interest.

“A lot of the information is relevant, like introduction to aquaculture. I’m very interested in that because to farm fish is a very good thing, it’s fascinating to me.”

Another major point in BAMSI’s favor 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 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 … coming back to learn about something that you are really passionate about. I was anxious about it, anxious to be here.”

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 is 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.”

Ian points to marine science lecturers Erin Cash and Cameron Lightbourne; and Alaasis Braynen, BAMSI’s agribusiness lecturer, whom he felt were equipped to guide him through the process.

“I like the environment, the level of participation in class and the ability to interact with my peers. I am loving this semester.”

New Providence’s Ethan Thompson is a returning agriculture major. He spent the summer at the Bahamas Agricultural and Industrial Corporation (BAIC).

“I was eager to come back to my surprise. Considering me being from Nassau the island was never appealing to me until I got to see the potential that not only Andros, but BAMSI has to offer.”

For Ethan, BAMSI offers the chance to learn and be productive in a new environment.

“I’m just soaking it all in as much as I can – the time is short. On the farm itself it’s good for me because I’ve never done that work. It’s good to learn the techniques, the technology, have a critical eye when looking at plants, the setup of the farm, ways to improve it, technologies that make it more productive,” he said.

Passionate about marine conservation, 18-year-old marine science student Nigel Sands who was born in Eleuthera, the island many consider to be the jewel of the Commonwealth, said BAMSI provides him with the opportunity to get out and do what he loves, conservation.

“Being back in school is awesome. When I think about it I get a bubbling feeling inside. You’re learning to do what you love both in and out of the classroom. I would encourage all people, young and old to become a part of the program or contribute towards it because we are a part of the future,” said Nigel.