NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The CA Smith International Educational and Community Development Foundation proudly presents its second year of scholarship offerings for young, bright Bahamians who seek to make a difference in their country by pursuing degrees that would lead to positive national development.
Aspiring students who are pursuing environmental engineering, oceanography, atmospheric science and computer technology are invited to visit the website www.casmithfoundation.org to apply.
Governor General CA Smith, the foundation’s patron, expressed his elation at having another opportunity to help change lives through education and empowerment.
“Considering climate change and its effects on Small Island Developing States (SIDS), it is vital to have Bahamians playing leading roles in these fields,” he said.
“Technological advancement is also key to ensuring the country can continue to be viable on the world stage.
“I note with pride that in spite of the difficulties caused by COVID-19, each of the seven scholarship recipients maintained a grade point average to earn a further award for the upcoming school year.”
The CA Smith Foundation had set out to award four deserving students with scholarships last year to assist them as they pursue specific areas of study that would complement the national development goals of The Bahamas. However, the foundation was able to raise enough funds to help three more students’ dreams come true.
Last year’s awardees were: Thiah Farquharson (National University of Ireland — Master’s of Science; Environmental Leadership); Havana Gibson (University of Victoria — Bachelor’s, Environmental Science); Kristaleah Hall (Acadia University — Environmental Geoscience); Jodie Ritchie (University of Wisconsin — Computer Science); Gregory Cooper (Georgia Southern University — Computer Engineering); Tiffany Martinborough (Seneca College — Early Education); and Ahmad Williams (pursuing a Master’s at Nova Southeastern University).
Farquharson and Gibson are both recipients of the $5,000 award. Farquharson said the scholarship has allowed her to pursue higher education at the postgraduate level and has given her the opportunity to “holistically experience a new country abroad”.
Gibson shared: “My education has taught me how to convert quantitative data into qualitative data, understand a broad range of inherent uncertainties and synergies involved in environmental and social issues, conduct scientific experiments with a range of scientific apparatus and to communicate environmental issues effectively and constructively.”
Ritchie said receiving the scholarship from the CA Smith foundation has “reduced a financial burden” while enabling her to better focus on her studies and begin exploring various components of the computer science field.
“My goal is to bring the knowledge and best-in-class experiences gained back to The Bahamas to help bridge the technological gap within our country,” she said.
Upon receipt of the scholarship, students must maintain a 3.0 GPA, among other requirements, for the duration of their award.
For the full list of criteria and requirements, please visit www.casmithfoundation.org or email sgleman@gate.net.
The CA Smith Foundation is managed by a board of directors whose duties appointing a Scholarship Committee consisting of five members, all of whom are highly respected in the education community, who will select grant recipients. Board members include Attorney David Thompson, senior partner, David Thompson & Co; Dr William Pickard, chairman, Global Automotive Alliance; Clayton Smith, corporate pilot; and Andy Ingraham, founder/president/CEO, National Association of Black Hotel Owners & Developers (NABHOOD).
