CYBER security expert Dr Herbert Hugh Thompson will deliver the commencement address at the University of The Bahamas' historic Spring 2017 Commencement, the first since the institution's charter on November 10, 2016.

Remaining defiant in the face of damning revelations over his emails to developer Sarkis Izmirlian soliciting contracts for his father's business, Marathon MP Jerome Fitzgerald last night quoted Scripture in passionate tones, embraced his mother and declared he won't be stopped by what he insisted were unfair attacks intended to destroy him politically.
Fitzgerald's voice cracked and Sizzla's "Solid as a rock" with the lyrics "they can't keep a good man down" blared from the speakers as he declared his determination to stay focused and emerge victorious with his party on May 10.
"Every day I get the paper, I see they calling my name," Fitzgerald said.
"I see now the whole PLP and the whole of the FNM fixated on Fitzgerald.
"But you know, dog don't bark at parked car.
"They fixated on Fitzgerald because they don't have any plans or ideas on how to move this country forward.
"So the only thing that they are good at now is to attack anyone who they feel will expose their ineffectiveness and who they really are."
Fitzgerald's defiance on the rally stage at R. M. Bailey Park last night came one week after The Tribune revealed that he wrote Izmirlian on several occasions seeking to lock in big-money limousine, trucking and brokerage contracts.
Fitzgerald claimed that he was negotiating on behalf of his sick father.
The matter triggered a firestorm around the minister and the Progressive Liberal Party.
Fitzgerald has shown no contrition and Prime Minister Perry Christie has avoided speaking to the issue entirely.
Yesterday, The Tribune revealed that A. Scott Fitzgerald Insurance Brokers and Agents Ltd. was made the broker of record for National Insurance Board (NIB) contracts without participating in the contract bidding process.
Fitzgerald said in a statement early in the day his mother's business has had contracts with government and quasi-government agencies for years, and he had nothing to do with the NIB contract.
As he spoke last night, the deejay played the popular Bahamian song, "Dog don't bark at parked car".
"Talking about my sick father wasn't enough," Fitzgerald said.
"They had to go and talk about my mother.
"I mean how low can you go? But God is in charge. God is in charge.
"And I have said it over and over again; I walk by faith and not by sight.
"I am also reminded of the verses of Psalm 91 which over the course of my life [have] helped to frame my mind, my spirit and my heart for a time such as this -- 'He who dwells in the secret place of the most high shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty...My God, in Him I will trust. Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence..."
Fitzgerald insisted that he has had no greater honor than serving as the minister of education.
"Big things are at stake this election PLPs," Fitzgerald said.
"Let us stay focused. I want you to stay focused.
"We can't let the noise shut out all the great things we are doing."
Then, screaming over the crowd, Fitzgerald said, "Marathon come election day, all I want to hear is 'Fitzgerald'."

Incumbent Long Island MP Loretta Butler-Turner yesterday confirmed that former Baha Mar developer Sarkis Izmirlian financially backed her second bid to become leader of the Free National Movement (FNM).
She made the revelation on More 94 FM's 'Real Talk Live' with host Rudolph Tinker.
Butler-Turner was asked whether she was supported financially during her bid for leader.
"I had to because I had to raise $100,000, so yes, I did," she said.
Butler-Turner and FNM Leader Dr. Hubert Minnis agreed to put up $100,000 each to help fund the party's July 2016 convention.
"I must say I got financial support from people who really believed in me," she noted.
Butler-Turner was also asked if Izmirlian financially supported her.
"Did Sarkis Izmirlian support me financially?" she repeated.
"Sarkis Izmirlian did support me."
Tinker sought to clarify whether Butler-Turner received funds from Izmirlian.
Butler-Turner confirmed, "I did."
Though there is nothing that prevents anyone, including permanent residents and foreign investors, from supporting political campaigns or candidates, the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) has made the case that the FNM and several of its candidates vying for seats in the approaching election are closely tied to Izmirlian, and have sought to defend his public image amid the troubles surrounding Baha Mar.
Butler-Turner's FNM nomination was revoked after she and several FNM MPs wrote to the governor general to remove Minnis as leader in December.
She is running as an independent.
Butler-Turner made no mention of who else supported her bid for leader, or who is currently backing her bid to remain the member of Parliament for Long Island.
It is unknown whether Izmirlian supported any other candidates during the FNM's convention, including Minnis.
Butler-Turner first ran for the leadership at the party's convention in November 2014.
Minnis beat her three to one.
She made a second attempt at the July 2016 convention, which came about as a result of dissent among the majority of the FNM MPs to Minnis' leadership.
On the morning of the vote, however, Butler-Turner and former Senator Dr. Duane Sands, her running mate, who was vying for the post of deputy leader, announced that they were pulling out of the leadership and deputy leadership races.
Butler-Turner was also prompted on whether she received funds from former Deputy Prime Minister Brent Symonette, who was vocal in his support of Butler-Turner.
"No, I didn't," she said.
"He did support me, but not financially."

The bidding process for a new management company for the New Providence Landfill is scheduled to begin today, according to Environment Minister Kenred Dorsett.
"I just got the notice from the Office of the Prime Minister that the Tenders Board of the Ministry of Finance will meet tomorrow to open the bids," Dorsett said.
The government officially launched the request for proposals (RFP) process in an effort to facilitate the remediation and operation of the landfill earlier this month.
The deadline for applicants was on Wednesday.
The opening of proposals took place at the Ministry of Finance yesterday.
The minister also announced this month that the preliminary cost of remediation at the landfill is about $20 million to $30 million, but that amount is expected to increase.
Interested investors are required to pay a non-refundable fee of $10,000 with the submission of the registration form.
They are also expected to sign and return a non-disclosure agreement (NDA).
The Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) said in its recently released Charter 2017, it will ensure that issues at the landfill are remediated by working with a strategic partner and "using scientific methods".
Last month, Prime Minister Perry Christie said the government is "very close" to choosing a company to run the site.
Fires have been occurring at the landfill for years. The reasons given are usually spontaneous combustion or arson.
Both the PLP and Free National Movement (FNM) have admitted fault for the "mismanagement" of the dump.
The environment minister previously explained that new technology and facilities would be included at the dump site and would all be a part of the new agreement made with the prospective management company.
New technology and facilities are expected to include membrane landfill liner to generate solar energy, gas extraction technology, and a new materials recycling facility.