A corporate entity is collaborating with the Bahamas Society of Engineers (BSE) to help stimulate the participation of more Bahamians in a critical sector in the Bahamian economy. BHM Co. Ltd., formerly Bahamas Hot Mix Co. Ltd., and the BSE have established a scholarship fund at The College of The Bahamas for civil engineering technology students.
The college recently received a donation that will fund a scholarship of $3,000 every two years for full-time, undergraduate majors pursuing an Associate of Science in civil engineering technology. There will also be an opportunity for these scholarship recipients to intern with BHM Co. Ltd.
Ebbe Saidi, managing director of BHM Co. Ltd., is convinced that initiating this scholarship fund was necessary in order to encourage more Bahamians to pursue a civil engineering profession.
"Civil engineering is about developing the environment. A lot of that type of industry is on the way in The Bahamas. Firms from all over the world are here, and we felt that Bahamians need to enter the industry and take possession of the industry," he said during the signing of the memorandum of understanding to establish The Bahamas Hot Mix, Bahamas Society of Engineers Scholars Program.
Recipients of this scholarship will be students enrolled in the ASc. program in the school of mathematics, physics and technology at the college and who demonstrate financial need.
Solidifying partnerships with entities that believe in the transformative power of higher education is a critical priority for the college, as is generating more scholarship opportunities for students to earn their academic degrees. The Bahamas Society of Engineers has been a keen supporter of that goal.
DeCosta Bethel, president of the Bahamas Society of Engineers, encouraged more engineering firms to fund scholarships at the college in order to increase the participation of Bahamians in the sector.
"I think that whatever higher education is available that there will be a need for scholarships, because there will always be students that have the academic skills but don't have the funding....With regard to scholarships, there would need to be various firms that are interested, in say, electrical or mechanical or production (engineering) to come forward with funding to hopefully induce more students into these various vocations," he said.
Dr. Carlton Watson, dean, faculty of pure and applied sciences at the college, was appreciative of the investment made by BHM Co. Ltd and the Bahamas Society of Engineers.
"As the college accelerates its mission of driving national development, it is critical that we prepare the appropriate work force to develop a modern, prosperous and peaceful Bahamas," he said. "Engineering disciplines, in particular civil engineering, is central to this development. Again, we thank Bahamas Hot Mix and the Bahamas Society of Engineers for their generosity and their confidence in The College of The Bahamas."

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