NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Lyford Cay Foundations has strengthened its commitment to advancing education in The Bahamas with a $525,000 donation to the University of the Bahamas (UB).
According to a press release, the sum is the largest single donation the university has ever received.
The funds will be put towards increasing scholarship grants to the university, boosting study abroad scholarships for students, and enhancing the college bridging programme that allows students who need extra support to take classes that will get them ready for college.
The Foundations was pleased to announce the donation on Giving Tuesday, a day highlighted around the world as an opportunity to transform communities through giving.
Top officials from the University of The Bahamas and Lyford Cay Foundations attended the donation ceremony, including UB chairperson Allyson Maynard-Gibson, UB President Dr. Erik Rolland, LCF Chairman Basil Goulandris and LCF Executive Director Dr. Nicola Virgill-Rolle.
During his remarks, Goulandris noted the Foundations has now invested some $10m in the institution to date.
“Our grants to the College of The Bahamas and now the University of The Bahamas over the years have aimed to help people achieve their dreams and fill gaps in much-needed areas for our country,” he said.
“Our grants have enabled needs-based scholarships with the aim of equalizing opportunities for Bahamians For example, our Marilu Tolo scholarship award for young men and women of high academic standing; the David A. C. Kelly Memorial award for Small Island Sustainability majors; or the Ranfurly Home for Children award for current or past residents of the Ranfurly Home for Children; or the Godfrey K Kelly award for Family Island students and many other similar awards for Family Island residents.”
Executive Director Dr Virgill-Rolle—a Lyford Cay Foundations scholar and alumna of the then College of The Bahamas—said the donation to the university was one part of how the Foundations enhances education initiatives in the country.
She noted the Foundations also operates an out-of-school, tuition-free college readiness programme called FOCUS which hosts sessions at the university.
The donation ceremony was held inside the Harry T Moore Library and Information Center, which is named after the former chairman of the Foundations who led fundraising efforts to develop a modern library for the students and people of The Bahamas.
