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Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM |
BAMSI hosts Professional Development Seminar for Staff
PREPARING its staff to take advantage of an evolving national economy and the steady expansion of the Institute, the Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Science Institute (BAMSI) held a Staff Success and Professional Development Seminar on Thursday, June 25, 2015.
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Executive Director of BAMSI Dr. Raveenia Roberts-Hanna explained that as a result of the Institute’s position as an essential element in the nation’s push to ensure a level of food security and introduce initiatives that support food sustainability, an important component of that effort is the development of an educated, progressive and critical thinking staff compliment. “BAMSI recognizes that its mission cannot be accomplished without the full embrace of a trained and mobilized cadre of operatives,” she said.
The seminar was attended by nearly 60 BAMSI staff members, including agricultural field officers, culinary associates, administrative staff and faculty from its North Andros facility.
The goal of the staff seminar, Dr Roberts-Hanna noted, was to support and encourage BAMSI associates to take positive steps toward developing themselves as well-rounded individuals who bring a number of strengths to the table, not just for BAMSI, but as productive citizens of society. Ultimately, BAMSI is looking to build a core group of trained, talented and skilled associates in a wide cross-section of areas who are able to push the Institute and their community forward incrementally. Dr. Roberts-Hanna also noted, going forward technical training specific to individual departments will be implemented shortly.
The seminar focused on financial planning and wealth building strategies, and also conflict resolution. Philip Campbell, BAMSI’s student counsellor, explained that perspective often plays a role in how a situation is interpreted. When disagreements arise or negative situations occur, he said, it is important to listen carefully to the other party, try to empathize where possible and seek a solution that benefits all those concerned.
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Biology lecturer Dianne Brown, who addressed the seminar on the importance of a tertiary level education, encouraged staff to adopt the attitude of a lifelong learner. BAMSI’s presence in North Andros, she said, made that an easy position to attain and she urged participants to take advantage of the many educational offerings provided by the Institute. Among the academic initiatives offered are BGCSE equivalency training in Mathematics, English and Biology, technical training in the areas of agriculture – such as agribusiness (or the business of commercial farming) and farms skills. Best known for its associate degree programmes, BAMSI also offers short certificate programs in both the personal and professional arenas.
Other topics that were tackled during the seminar included financial planning and wealth building strategies, steps toward career success, effective communication in the workplace and occupational health and safety. Staff members received a certificate at the conclusion of the seminar.
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BAMSI’s own staff facilitated the workshop. Among the speakers were Alaasis Braynen, an expert in agribusiness and financial services; Jarenda Rahming, Student Affairs Officer; Yolanda Deleveaux, Communications Officer and Dr Joseph Lindsay, Soil Scientist.
BAMSI hosts Professional Development Seminar for North Andros Community
ADDING another layer to its academic portfolio, The Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Science Institute (BAMSI) held a Personal Success and Professional Development Seminar for the North Andros Community June 25th, 2015.
While the primary focus of BAMSI’s academic arm is the delivery of material to support students through an associate degree programme, the Institute is also expanding its outreach efforts to include college prep courses in English, Math and Biology, technical training in the areas of agribusiness (commercial farming) and farms skills – through its Associate Farmers Programme. BAMSI is also offering short certificate programmes in both the personal and professional arenas.
Distance learning is also a critical part of BAMSI’s mandate and is an area that the Institute has already branched into, with seminars being held in a number of Family Islands covering agribusiness and farms skills.
“Beyond our core objectives we understand that a national outreach effort is critical to the successful achievement of our mandate, which is to fill any educational or training gaps that might exist within the community,” Executive Director of BAMSI Dr Raveenia Roberts-Hanna said. The Professional Development Seminar for members of the public, she added, is the first in a series of seminars that BAMSI intends to put on to assist the community where necessary.
The seminar, which was attended by a wide cross-section of North Andros professionals, focused on financial planning and wealth building strategies, effective communication in the workplace. Other areas that were tackled during the seminar included the importance of a tertiary education and conflict resolution. Participants in the seminar received a certificate at its conclusion.
The workshop was facilitated by BAMSI staff members. Among the speakers were Dianne Brown, biology; Yolanda Deleveaux, Communications Officer and Philip Campbell, Counsellor.
Alaasis Braynen, a lecturer at BAMSI and an expert in agribusiness and financial services, told participants that one way to identify an upturn in the nation’s economy was the start of new construction. “If you notice as you drive along Queen’s Highway there are a number of new developments taking place. Houses are being built, commercial enterprises are expanding – all of this points to growth in the North Andros economy.”
He told participants that one strategy to utilize as they looked to build their financial resources was to develop a strong relationship with a financial institution by taking out a small loan that could be easily paid back in a timely fashion. He explained that this process would help build confidence in the lender so when it came time to get a significant loan, such as a mortgage - that positive relationship would already be in place.
© Copyright 2015 by thebahamasweekly.com
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