The Tribune

By KEILE CAMPBELL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kcampbell@tribunemedia.net

THE Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Science Institute (BAMSI) is gearing up for a landmark academic year as it celebrates its 10th anniversary.

As BAMSI prepares to welcome a new cohort of students, the institution is solidifying its position as a leader in agricultural and marine science education in The Bahamas.

BAMSI president Dr Raveenia Roberts-Hanna expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming year.

“We are expecting over 100 students and counting, as registration is still ongoing. They will be joining our campus this coming Monday, August 26, our move-in day,” she said.

This academic year marks several milestones for BAMSI, including the full occupation of all its buildings and spaces, according to Dr Roberts-Hanna.

“We’ve also acquired container farms as well as aerial and underwater drones. So all of these new activities will be incorporated into our curriculum. I’m expecting a very exciting academic year,” Dr Roberts-Hanna added.

She explained, “We are making plans for the construction of newer buildings, which will include additional specialty labs, office spaces, and classroom spaces.”

She confirmed that the campus spaces are ready for use and revealed that BAMSI has initiated plans for campus expansion.

This year’s registration numbers have significantly increased compared to previous years, which Dr Roberts-Hanna attributes to growing awareness of the importance of food security in The Bahamas.

“We find an uptick in registration. People now understand the importance of food security for The Bahamas, and we are getting an increase in registration for both our online and face-to-face courses,” she said.

In April, a forest fire on Andros reportedly caused damage to fruit-bearing crops, livestock pastures, and bee hives. However, Dr Roberts-Hanna clarified: “We didn’t lose any fruit-bearing crops or anything like that. Those fields have already recovered, and we’ve started planting our winter crops. You can expect a lot of good things from BAMSI this year.”

When asked about the cost of the expansion project, Dr Roberts-Hanna said no figure has been set yet.

BAMSI has also made significant strides in technology and innovation. The institute has acquired container farms and drones, both aerial and underwater, which will be integrated into student training.

“We’ve had faculty attend a national certification in drone piloting and analysis under the Ministry of Agriculture, so we have certified drone pilots for this project,” Dr Roberts-Hanna added.

The BAMSI faculty comprises local and global experts, aiming to produce “globally conscious students”.