NASSAU, Bahamas - Students of The College of The Bahamas applied their knowledge in computer science and related disciplines to help reduce the backlog of applications for the E-passport at the Passport Office during the summer.

?We thank The College of The Bahamas students for the tremendous effort they made in assisting the Data Entry Unit during their summer break in processing some 8,000 files,? said Donald Cash, undersecretary, Passport Office.

?This effort has reduced the backlog and has put us in good standing of achieving the 14 days objective,? he said.

During the summer period the passport office initiated a shift system, mainly in the Data Entry Unit, where about 20 students from COB were hired to process the backlog of files, under the supervision of permanent staff.

Employees worked from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and the COB students from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. COB faculty recommended the students based on their qualifications.

Traditionally, May to August is the peak travel period for Bahamians, whether going on vacations, college, sporting events, or medical reasons. Flight attendants and pilots also request services from the Passport Office.

Chief Passport Office Franklyn Dames said the head office usually takes on additional manpower to assist in dealing with the heavy volume at summer time.

?The COB students did a tremendous job. They are very intelligent and were able to carry out the task set before them. This shows us the calibre of students we have at COB,? Mr Dames said.

Paul Rolle II, a computer information systems major said it was a ?tremendous eye-opening experience? to have worked at the Passport Office.

He entered information from the application forms into the database, such as name, birth date, nationality, and other relevant facts as part of his job description.

Alyssia Moss, also a computer information systems major said she saw first hand the frustration the public experiences when applying for an E-Passport. However, she noted that many times the applicant did not submit the correct information and had to be contacted for verification.

Nikera Cartwright, who is pursuing a degree in secondary education, said although her studies differ from her college mates, the experience would assist her in research.

Indera Gibson said the experience using the computer would assist in her career in accounting. She said the students developed a competition amongst themselves to ensure they got the job done in a timely manner.

?Ninety per cent of us took on the challenge that no matter what, when we left here, everything would be up-to-date,? she said, adding that they were given more responsibilities to get the Freeport applicants processed.

Supervisor Mavis Vanderpool, who commended the COB students on their performance said, ?When they came in I explained the importance of the work to them and that the Government and the public were depending on them.

?I handed them the ball, they took it and did an excellent job. They came to work on time,? she said.

The students said that they gained an ?appreciation? for the process of producing an E-Passport, having had to apply for one themselves.