As the world and small island developing states (SIDS) in particular face global crises, sustainability has become an even more urgent goal. Recently, the American Corner at University of The Bahamas (UB) hosted a delegation of United States and United States Embassy dignitaries at the Oakes Field Campus for conversations on climate resilience, sustainability, and food security as well as developing synergies among academia and partners to advance these aims.

On Thursday, 16th February, a delegation including the Chargé d’Affaires Usha Pitts, U. S. Embassy Nassau; Acting Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM), Lance Posey; Trigg Talley, Senior Advisor to the Special Presidential Envoy for Climate Change and Managing Director for Climate Negotiations and Programming visited the G.T.R. Campbell Small Island Sustainability Research Complex. They were hosted to a sumptuous and innovative Bahamian breakfast that exemplified sustainability in the full use of native ingredients and food preparation.

Other esteemed guests included UB Trustee Dr. Keith Russell; Senator the Hon. Dr. Erecia Hepburn, President of the Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Science Institute (BAMSI); U.S. Expert Senior Advisor, Christina Chan; and U. S. Embassy, Nassau Public Affairs Officer, Suemayah Abu-Douleh.

Chargé d’Affaires Pitts said everything about Thursday’s “sustainable breakfast”, from the menu options to the setting and those involved in the ensuing conversations, are exactly what the U. S. Embassy envisioned when they became partners with The Bahamas’ premier institution of higher learning.

“The U. S. Embassy has been a long-time partner of the University of The Bahamas,” said Pitts. “We have our American Corner here where we hold all kinds of events, and it’s been a pleasure to come here for this meal today. It was a great, great event.”

Mr. Talley also commended UB for hosting such an amazing event.

“This is a really innovative and fantastic event which has given us the ability to eat local Bahamian food that is sustainably produced,” said Mr. Talley. “And this is the kind of thing that happens at the local level, and if it happens at the local level everywhere in the world, we will be able to carry the world forward for future generations. So, it all starts with initiatives like this.”

Celebrity Chef Simeon Hall Jr., a proud UB alum, created works of culinary art for the sustainability breakfast, and was assisted by UB students in the College of Tourism, Hospitality, Culinary Arts and Leisure Management (THe CALM). The delicious meal included Bimini bread; Kalik sour dough bread and Johnny cake biscuits; boiled fish made with Strawberry Grouper; and a new twist on the staple Bahamian dish, chicken souse. It was topped off with guava sorbet power bowls served in coconut shells garnished with love vine.

The U.S. delegation were extremely pleased with the spread Chef Simeon and the UB students put together.

“The food was fantastic,” said Chargé Pitts. “Thank you, Chef Simeon Hall. He’s an international celebrity chef, but he’s Bahamian, and he put on this terrific meal that included all the things you might expect in a fine dining experience, plus it had all of these wonderful Bahamian products, some of them I hadn’t even experienced before. So, just a really terrific experience all around.”

Chef Simeon said the breakfast’s theme—sustainability—aligned perfectly with his own mantra as a chef, which is to avoid wastage.

“It’s been my mantra as a chef for a very, very long time,” said Chef Simeon. “For chefs, it’s the simple understanding of being responsible with the products that we’re given here, and to make sure that we respect the environment and be people that are using products in their entirety. Why just take a coconut and use the coconut water and that’s it? There’s jelly, there’s husk, there’s everything inside. The same thing with fish, same thing with chicken. It’s the way where I find pleasure in making sure that I use everything that’s available.”

The culinary aspect aside, Thursday’s sustainable breakfast accomplished a number of other objectives, chief of which was to further highlight the University’s dedication to advancing, teaching, and promoting best sustainability practices.

“It’s so important that we talk to people and sensitize them to the objectives that make sustainability a hot topic in academics and with our students,” said Dr. Oriakhi. “In fact, by bringing these delegates to the campus, it allows the students to recognize that we as a university are serious about the environment and about sustainability throughout the country.”

For his part, UB President Dr. Erik Rolland said Thursday’s breakfast highlights the kinds of important partnerships that can provide UB with the means by which to outfit itself with the necessary tools and resources to contribute meaningfully to the ongoing local, regional, and international conversations surrounding climate change and sustainability.

“Our mission as we move forward—Dr. Oriakhi and myself and the University team—is really to build up those relationships, to build up new resources within the University, to build up a new college that is focused on the sustainability issues at large and doing that with our partners, and we have outstanding partners at our table working with us now that can really make a huge difference,” said Dr. Rolland.

“So, anything we can do to help collaborate, to help foster sustainability at any level, particularly in The Bahamas and the Caribbean, but anything we can do, we are here to help and we want to partner and we want to build a better world together by understanding our surroundings.”

As the world and small island developing states (SIDS) in particular face global crises, sustainability has become an even more urgent goal. Recently, the American Corner at University of The Bahamas (UB) hosted a delegation of United States and United States Embassy dignitaries at the Oakes Field Campus for conversations on climate resilience, sustainability, and food security as well as developing synergies among academia and partners to advance these aims. On Thursday, 16th February, a delegation including the Chargé d’Affaires Usha Pitts, U. S. Embassy Nassau; Acting Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM), Lance Posey; Trigg Talley, Senior Advisor to the Special Presidential Envoy for Climate Change and Managing Director for Climate Negotiations and Programming visited the G.T.R. Campbell Small Island Sustainability Research Complex. They were hosted to a sumptuous and innovative Bahamian breakfast that exemplified sustainability in the full use of native ingredients and food preparation. Other esteemed guests included UB Trustee Dr. Keith Russell; Senator the Hon. Dr. Erecia Hepburn, President of the Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Science Institute (BAMSI); U.S. Expert Senior Advisor, Christina Chan; and U. S. Embassy, Nassau Public Affairs Officer, Suemayah Abu-Douleh. Chargé d’Affaires Pitts said everything about Thursday’s “sustainable breakfast”, from the menu options to the setting and those involved in the ensuing conversations, are exactly what the U. S. Embassy envisioned when they became partners with The Bahamas’ premier institution of higher learning. “The U. S. Embassy has been a long-time partner of the University of The Bahamas,” said Pitts. “We have our American Corner here where we hold all kinds of events, and it’s been a pleasure to come here for this meal today. It was a great, great event.” Mr. Talley also commended UB for hosting such an amazing event. “This is a really innovative and fantastic event which has given us the ability to eat local Bahamian food that is sustainably produced,” said Mr. Talley. “And this is the kind of thing that happens at the local level, and if it happens at the local level everywhere in the world, we will be able to carry the world forward for future generations. So, it all starts with initiatives like this.” Celebrity Chef Simeon Hall Jr., a proud UB alum, created works of culinary art for the sustainability breakfast, and was assisted by UB students in the College of Tourism, Hospitality, Culinary Arts and Leisure Management (THe CALM). The delicious meal included Bimini bread; Kalik sour dough bread and Johnny cake biscuits; boiled fish made with Strawberry Grouper; and a new twist on the staple Bahamian dish, chicken souse. It was topped off with guava sorbet power bowls served in coconut shells garnished with love vine. The U.S. delegation were extremely pleased with the spread Chef Simeon and the UB students put together. “The food was fantastic,” said Chargé Pitts. “Thank you, Chef Simeon Hall. He’s an international celebrity chef, but he’s Bahamian, and he put on this terrific meal that included all the things you might expect in a fine dining experience, plus it had all of these wonderful Bahamian products, some of them I hadn’t even experienced before. So, just a really terrific experience all around.” Chef Simeon said the breakfast’s theme—sustainability—aligned perfectly with his own mantra as a chef, which is to avoid wastage. “It’s been my mantra as a chef for a very, very long time,” said Chef Simeon. “For chefs, it’s the simple understanding of being responsible with the products that we’re given here, and to make sure that we respect the environment and be people that are using products in their entirety. Why just take a coconut and use the coconut water and that’s it? There’s jelly, there’s husk, there’s everything inside. The same thing with fish, same thing with chicken. It’s the way where I find pleasure in making sure that I use everything that’s available.” The culinary aspect aside, Thursday’s sustainable breakfast accomplished a number of other objectives, chief of which was to further highlight the University’s dedication to advancing, teaching, and promoting best sustainability practices. “It’s so important that we talk to people and sensitize them to the objectives that make sustainability a hot topic in academics and with our students,” said Dr. Oriakhi. “In fact, by bringing these delegates to the campus, it allows the students to recognize that we as a university are serious about the environment and about sustainability throughout the country.” For his part, UB President Dr. Erik Rolland said Thursday’s breakfast highlights the kinds of important partnerships that can provide UB with the means by which to outfit itself with the necessary tools and resources to contribute meaningfully to the ongoing local, regional, and international conversations surrounding climate change and sustainability. “Our mission as we move forward—Dr. Oriakhi and myself and the University team—is really to build up those relationships, to build up new resources within the University, to build up a new college that is focused on the sustainability issues at large and doing that with our partners, and we have outstanding partners at our table working with us now that can really make a huge difference,” said Dr. Rolland. “So, anything we can do to help collaborate, to help foster sustainability at any level, particularly in The Bahamas and the Caribbean, but anything we can do, we are here to help and we want to partner and we want to build a better world together by understanding our surroundings.”

 

 

Responding to the growing need for diverse skills to solve the complex challenges facing organisations today, PwC in the Caribbean has launched a data science internship programme to help university students and recent graduates develop both their technical and professional skills. The programme seeks to build the specialist talent pool in the Caribbean to support better integration of digital skills in organisations across the region. Working with PwC’s team of experienced data scientists and consultants, participants will be empowered to solve problems. They’ll gain hands-on experience as they contribute to the development and implementation of data science projects and assignments. The internship programme not only provides an opportunity for learning and career development, but also networking, coaching and mentorship with a leading global professional services organisation. PwC is accepting applications for data science internships at its firms in the Caribbean. Students can reach out to Anjanette.Brathwaite@pwc.com for more information or apply here. Zia Paton, Digital services leader, PwC in the Caribbean, said: “At PwC, we have always embraced new technology and innovation in our ways of working, including learning and development. All of our people have access to leading data analysis tools and training. We have a strong team of data science experts in the region and across our PwC global network and we want to better support building the talent pool of data scientists in the Caribbean. “We are proud to offer our new data science internship programme as part of our New world. New skills upskilling journey to help people across the region develop skills for a digital age. For us, people and technology work hand in hand. It's about how human ingenuity combines with technology innovation and experience to deliver faster, more intelligent and better outcomes while building trust across the value chain. Supporting the wider Caribbean community to integrate specialist skills into the workforce is a fundamental part of our purpose.” Kevan Rajaram, Senior Manager, Data Scientist, PwC in the Caribbean, said: “We are excited to launch our data science internship programme after identifying a need across the Caribbean region for data science students or graduates to gain relevant work experience in their field. As part of this programme, interns will join a diverse mix of people who combine human ingenuity, experience and innovative tech, to solve important problems. Interns will have the opportunity to work on projects that range from data architecture design to advanced data visualisation creation to machine learning modelling – across multiple industries including financial services, retail, public sector and more. This is a great opportunity to gain hands-on experience in data science while developing a solid foundation in consulting.”

Responding to the growing need for diverse skills to solve the complex challenges facing organisations today, PwC in the Caribbean has launched a data science internship programme to help university students and recent graduates develop both their technical and professional skills. The programme seeks to build the specialist talent pool in the Caribbean to support better integration of digital skills in organisations across the region.

Working with PwC’s team of experienced data scientists and consultants, participants will be empowered to solve problems. They’ll gain hands-on experience as they contribute to the development and implementation of data science projects and assignments. The internship programme not only provides an opportunity for learning and career development, but also networking, coaching and mentorship with a leading global professional services organisation.

PwC is accepting applications for data science internships at its firms in the Caribbean. Students can reach out to Anjanette.Brathwaite@pwc.com for more information or apply here.

Zia Paton, Digital services leader, PwC in the Caribbean, said:

“At PwC, we have always embraced new technology and innovation in our ways of working, including learning and development. All of our people have access to leading data analysis tools and training. We have a strong team of data science experts in the region and across our PwC global network and we want to better support building the talent pool of data scientists in the Caribbean.

“We are proud to offer our new data science internship programme as part of our New world. New skills upskilling journey to help people across the region develop skills for a digital age. For us, people and technology work hand in hand. It's about how human ingenuity combines with technology innovation and experience to deliver faster, more intelligent and better outcomes while building trust across the value chain. Supporting the wider Caribbean community to integrate specialist skills into the workforce is a fundamental part of our purpose.”

Kevan Rajaram, Senior Manager, Data Scientist, PwC in the Caribbean, said:

“We are excited to launch our data science internship programme after identifying a need across the Caribbean region for data science students or graduates to gain relevant work experience in their field. As part of this programme, interns will join a diverse mix of people who combine human ingenuity, experience and innovative tech, to solve important problems. Interns will have the opportunity to work on projects that range from data architecture design to advanced data visualisation creation to machine learning modelling – across multiple industries including financial services, retail, public sector and more. This is a great opportunity to gain hands-on experience in data science while developing a solid foundation in consulting.”

 

"MORE must be done" to deal with violence in schools, said Bahamas Union of Teachers president Belinda Wilson yesterday, following a stabbing at an Abaco high school this week.

Police reported on Wednesday that a 17-year-old student in Abaco was stabbed by another student of the same age while on the playing field. #After the stabbing, Education Minister Glenys Hanna-Martin said she asked officials to consider placing police officers at the school where the incident occurred. #Officers did not name the school where the stabbing took place, but said the incident happened around 10am on Tuesday. However, Mrs Wilson said it happened at SC Bootle High School in Coopers Town, Abaco. #She said: “What is very disturbing though is that the teachers were not informed by the principal or anyone from administration. They actually got the information from social media. These incidents are occurring too frequently in our schools. Although there is the school resource officers who are from the police force, more must be done. # “There needs to be metal detectors. We need to have other safety devices in the schools. These are recommendations that the Bahamas Union of Teachers has been giving to education officials for years and years and years.” # The union leader turned her attention to parents and their role in knowing their children’s activities. # She said: “Parents, I’m admonishing you to know who your children’s friends are. Talk to your children, play an active role in your child’s life - this is happening too much. # “I’ve been in communication with the police, with the acting district superintendent, and with the union representatives on the ground in Abaco and this is a matter that we will continue to watch closely.”

Police reported on Wednesday that a 17-year-old student in Abaco was stabbed by another student of the same age while on the playing field.

After the stabbing, Education Minister Glenys Hanna-Martin said she asked officials to consider placing police officers at the school where the incident occurred.

Officers did not name the school where the stabbing took place, but said the incident happened around 10am on Tuesday. However, Mrs Wilson said it happened at SC Bootle High School in Coopers Town, Abaco.

She said: “What is very disturbing though is that the teachers were not informed by the principal or anyone from administration. They actually got the information from social media. These incidents are occurring too frequently in our schools. Although there is the school resource officers who are from the police force, more must be done.

“There needs to be metal detectors. We need to have other safety devices in the schools. These are recommendations that the Bahamas Union of Teachers has been giving to education officials for years and years and years.”

The union leader turned her attention to parents and their role in knowing their children’s activities.

She said: “Parents, I’m admonishing you to know who your children’s friends are. Talk to your children, play an active role in your child’s life - this is happening too much.

“I’ve been in communication with the police, with the acting district superintendent, and with the union representatives on the ground in Abaco and this is a matter that we will continue to watch closely.”

Last week, HG Christie Grand Bahama was thrilled to be able to jump in and assist The Beacon School on Grand Bahama with funds to help complete their Junior Junkanoo costumes and float. “This is a wonderful way for HG Christie to assist, to be able to help a small school like this show their spirit and that they are part of the community – it’s just terrific!” said Catherine MacLeay, HG Christie Real Estate Agent.    

Junior Junkanoo which is a traditionally well-attended event on the island will take place on Saturday, February 11th on Pioneers Way - downtown, Freeport and over 20 local schools are set to participate.  Principal of the school, Titi Mckenzie-Moss noted, “Our kids are so excited. The Beacon School always comes out to Junior Junkanoo and puts on a grand performance.  We are so grateful to HG Christie for supporting us. It’s very important for companies to come in and support the local schools. Junior Junkanoo is an expensive venture. With corporate citizens coming in, it makes it easier for us.”  

The Beacon School which is the island's only special needs school, will be highlighting their silver jubilee at the event.  “Our children - a lot of them are not academically inclined, but they are very talented,” added Mckenzie-Moss. "Taking part in Junkanoo helps them realize they can play the cowbells, beat the drums, and dance like everyone else and it showcases and brings awareness to special education in Grand Bahama.”

Pictured from left to right at a donation event at the school during Junkanoo practice are Beacon School Students, Harold Rolle and Nertlee Christian, Beacon School Teacher and the school's Junkanoo Coordinator, Sheiana Forbes, HGC Real Estate Agent, Catherine MacLeay, Beacon School Principal, Titi Mckenzie-Moss, HGC Real Estate Agent, Ewa Mellor, and Beacon School student, Fabianno Sears.

 Photo courtesy of Tristan Gibson for Barefoot Marketing

Last week, HG Christie Grand Bahama was thrilled to be able to jump in and assist The Beacon School on Grand Bahama with funds to help complete their Junior Junkanoo costumes and float. “This is a wonderful way for HG Christie to assist, to be able to help a small school like this show their spirit and that they are part of the community – it’s just terrific!” said Catherine MacLeay, HG Christie Real Estate Agent.      Junior Junkanoo which is a traditionally well-attended event on the island will take place on Saturday, February 11th on Pioneers Way - downtown, Freeport and over 20 local schools are set to participate.  Principal of the school, Titi Mckenzie-Moss noted, “Our kids are so excited. The Beacon School always comes out to Junior Junkanoo and puts on a grand performance.  We are so grateful to HG Christie for supporting us. It’s very important for companies to come in and support the local schools. Junior Junkanoo is an expensive venture. With corporate citizens coming in, it makes it easier for us.”     The Beacon School which is the island's only special needs school, will be highlighting their silver jubilee at the event.  “Our children - a lot of them are not academically inclined, but they are very talented,” added Mckenzie-Moss. "Taking part in Junkanoo helps them realize they can play the cowbells, beat the drums, and dance like everyone else and it showcases and brings awareness to special education in Grand Bahama.”   Pictured from left to right at a donation event at the school during Junkanoo practice are Beacon School Students, Harold Rolle and Nertlee Christian, Beacon School Teacher and the school's Junkanoo Coordinator, Sheiana Forbes, HGC Real Estate Agent, Catherine MacLeay, Beacon School Principal, Titi Mckenzie-Moss, HGC Real Estate Agent, Ewa Mellor, and Beacon School student, Fabianno Sears.   Photo courtesy of Tristan Gibson for Barefoot Marketing