Dr. Karen St. Cyr, Project Manager at the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, led the discussion at the STI policy workshop held at the Ministry of Education on Wednesday, February 3rd, 2016.

Earlier this month, The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology hosted a  workshop where members from both the public and private sector began discussions on the planning of a national policy paper on science, technology and innovation.

The group was led by Dr. Karen St. Cyr, Project Manager at the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and was comprised of members from the Ministry of Education along with representatives from The Bahamas Bureau of Standards and Quality (BBSQ), The Armory Company, The Bahamas Environment Science and Technology Commission (BEST), the Utilities Regulation & Competition Authority (URCA), the Bahamas Educators Managerial Union (BEMU), the Bahamas Engineering and Technology Advancement (BETA) Camp, Water and Sewerage and the newly formed "We Speak Science" Organization.

According to Dr. St. Cyr, the goals of the workshop were accomplished in that "the group was able to formulate and discuss priorities that we as a nation need to concentrate on as we craft national policy for STI (science, technology and innovation)." The group focused on aligning national priorities with those of the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals and the STI indicators of the Ordination of Economic Cooperation and Development (OEDC).

This workshop marked the second cross collaborative meeting. The first meeting was held in July in the form of a three day workshop which was organized by the UNESCO Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean in partnership with the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology. Some fifty representatives of various sectors in the community including government, education, business and industry, participated in the workshop which ignited the discussion of a national STI policy framework.

Participants from the public sector formed a group to discuss STI initiatives relevant to their sector at the STI policy workshop held at the Ministry of Education on Wednesday, February 3rd, 2016.

Dr. St. Cyr  indicated that further collaborative discussions will take place during the next four months, where groups will  "further concretize where we need to go as a country with the drafting of the national STI policy document." She further indicated that "The Ministry of Education will begin to formulate policy with the help of technical expertise and some sponsorship from UNESCO going forward."

Under the leadership of former Assistant Director of Education, Ms. Beverly Taylor, who spearheaded the development of the country's strategic plan for science and technology entitled, "Roadmap for the Advancement of Science and Technology for The Bahamas," the Ministry of Education has been dedicated to the task STI development for many years.

The MOEST is taking seriously its mandate to mobilize the scientific and political community, the civil society and the private sector to develop and strengthen STI policy in order to tap into the best potential of STI for sustainable national development.

The Grand Bahama American Women’s Club is celebrating 50 years of service to the youth of this island and are on countdown to one of the most FUN golf tournaments — the 13th Annual Philanthropic Golf Classic.

Registration is presently underway at the Reef Course, Monday Feb.15 to Thursday Feb.18 from 11:00am - 3:00pm and play commences with a shotgun start at noon on Saturday Feb. 20, 2016.

Win a Ford Escape SE with all the “bells and whistles” for a hole-in-one on No.4 and “bonus prizes” on the other par 3 holes. All made possible through the generosity of Freeport Jetwash. Immediately following the tournament an awards dinner will be held at Ocean Blue Restaurant, located at the Ocean Reef Resort.

The GBAWC Golf Classic is widely regarded as one of the best organized, best run tournaments on Grand Bahama Island, proof of which is the large number of repeat participants.

The money raised goes to the GB American Women’s Club’s Scholarship Fund — supporting local high school students and assisting youth organizations.

The Grand Bahama American Women’s Club is celebrating 50 years of service to the youth of Grand Bahama and are on countdown to one of the most FUN golf tournaments — the 13th. Annual Philanthropic Golf Classic.

Peter Capote, Eddy Cubas and Mario Newry at the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure

Companies at the forefront of helping to fund cancer research and patient care have come together to share their stories of the battle against this deadly disease, in the latest episode of the renowned ZNS show ‘A Familiar Walk’. Host Mario Newry takes a look at a health condition all too familiar to families globally, and recounts his mother’s lost fight with the disease. 

On the show, Mr. Newry is joined at the site of the annual Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure by Peter Capote and Eddy Cubas of United Parcel Service (UPS). UPS has been a sponsor of Sunshine Insurance’s ‘Race Weekend’ from its inception, and according to Mr. Capote UPS and Bahamas Couriers Limited (BCL) have made a sincere commitment to improving the lives of Bahamians, through such partnerships.

UPS has built a legacy as a caring and responsible corporate citizen, supporting programs that provide long-term solutions to community needs; therefore, Marathon Bahamas and the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure were a perfect fit for the company.

“Since 1951, The UPS foundation has maintained a tradition of providing support through grant programs and initiatives that help improve the quality of life in communities where UPS conducts business.” Mr. Capote said.

Mr. Newry laments that cancer became an unfortunate part of his family’s story, after his Mother Ruth Newry  passed away 10 Years ago.

“That is why I am so passionate about raising awareness, because I have seen firsthand how it can impact others,” said Mr. Newry. “The next edition of ‘A Familiar Walk’ will remind all to have courage in the fight against cancer.

Peter Capote, Sir Franklyn Wilson and Mario Newry at the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.

During the show Sir Franklyn Wilson, Chairman of Marathon Bahamas praised UPS’s commitment to Marathon Bahamas, and hailed Mr. Capote’s annual participation in the event.

“This is what our country needs, a caring business community,” said Mr. Wilson.

Mr. Newry explained that former Prime Minister Sir Lynden Pindling, saw corporate social responsibility as a necessary aspect of the Bahamas' business community. In the programme he quotes Sir Lynden's sentiment:

“It is good when Corporate Bahamas become a pillar of social change in our Bahamian society, complementing the Government and philanthropy… we need the entire private sector to begin committing itself not just to making profits, but to fulfilling higher and larger purposes by contributing to building a better Bahamas.”

He added: When I think of our Late Father of the Nation, I think of UPS and BCL; and its involvement with Marathon Bahamas.

UPS is recognized as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies by the Ethisphere Institute and has been on Fortune Magazine’s World’s Most Admired Companies list for more than 20 years.

Mr. Newry said in the progamme that there is no inherent contradiction between improving competitive context and making a sincere commitment to bettering our society.

“UPS and BCL through giving, have unlocked a vastly more powerful way to make the Bahamas and the Caribbean a better place,” he said.

A Familiar Walk was created in memory of Mr. Newry’s mother and its latest edition will be air on The Broadcasting Corporation of the Bahamas, Z.N.S. beginning February 18th. UPS is also a proud Partner of the show.

The Broadcasting Corporation of the Bahamas Northern Service launches its 20th annual Healthy Lifestyles campaign on February 22, 2016. Our aim is to educate and inform the community on the benefits of establishing more health-conscious lifestyles.

The campaign gets underway with a series of radio talk shows featuring Health professionals on a wide range of Health topics on ZNS-3 810 AM, February 22nd through March 17th – Monday to Thursday at 2:00 p.m. Our focus this year will be on Eating Right and Getting Fit. Health Topics will be featured during the 6:30 p.m. newscast on ZNS TV-13. Locally produced health shows can be viewed on ZNS TV on Wednesday and rebroadcast Fridays during the month of March.

Free blood pressure checks, glucose testing and weigh-ins will be conducted by Grand Bahama Health Services on Wednesdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the canteen of the Harold DeGregory Complex. The public is invited to participate.

ZNS annual fun run/walk & mini Health Fair will be held on Saturday, March 19th at 6:00 a.m., part proceeds will aid Us Too Grand Bahama – Prostate Cancer Awareness & Support Group.

The 3.1 miles (5k) race route will start at ZNS on the Mall, travel north on the Mall to the Court House Round-a-bout, south on the Mall to Ranfurly Circus, North on the Mall to ZNS and finish in front of the Harold DeGregory Complex. Entry forms are available at ZNS or for download HERE.

Following the race, a mini health fair will be held in the foyer of the Harold DeGregory Complex. There will be refreshments, free blood pressure checks, glucose testing, weigh-ins, health talks, health literature, aerobics and lots more.

We would like the entire community to participate. After all, your health is your wealth! So come join us as we “March for Health”.