Freeport, Bahamas – Although visiting Grand Bahama Shipyard isn’t an
everyday experience for most visitors to The Bahamas, students from St.
Bonaventure University in New York commented that it was the best part
of their trip.
Fifty students from the university visited the
Shipyard during their winter break as a part of an annual service trip
that the ENACTUS club takes to The Bahamas. This student-run trip
includes business
consulting, work with elementary schools,
technology expos and Special Olympics programmes. The ENACTUS club is
an internationally recognized nonprofit organization that promotes
partnership between leaders in business and university students to make a
difference in their local communities.
“I personally learned so
much driving around the Shipyard,” said Rachel Camilo, ENACTUS
President. “I did not realize how large of an operation the Grand
Bahama Shipyard is or how well-known the Shipyard was around the world. I
was impressed not only by the information that was given to us on the
tour but also the ability to speak with COO, Rueben Byrd afterwards. We
truly had a personalized tour and are very appreciative of the lengths
that the Shipyard went through to accommodate us.”
This annual
visit by St. Bonaventure has become a highlight on the Shipyard calendar
which the executives also enjoy, as they can show visitors the
successful Bahamian yard. “It’s a pleasure to host these hard working
and caring students each year,” said Byrd. “I am
personally very proud of our successes here and the enthusiasm of these students is infectious.”
Although
the ENACTUS club is a nonprofit club, and the trip is a service trip,
learning about various industries is always important for college
students.
“A big part of our experience is to expose our students
to the economy of The Bahamas,” said Todd Palmer, Associate Professor
of Business at St. Bonaventure University, and ENACTUS Advisor. “Having
a chance to look, in-depth, at this global company was eye opening to
our students. With so much focusing on tourism it is refreshing to see
that The Bahamas has its share of world-class industrial companies, the
Shipyard being one of them.”
