President Dunsworth and BAMSI Director Dr. Roberts-Hanna

The Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Science Institute (BAMSI) is excited to announce that as part of its expanding relationship with the University of the Ozarks, three professors from the Arkansas-based school are currently visiting the Bahamas to share their expertise through a week-long series of workshops at BAMSI’s North Andros campus.

Stephen Turnquest, newly appointed Chairman of BAMSI, said the partnership between the Institute and the University of the Ozarks is a reflection of BAMSI’s commitment to providing the richest possible academic experience for its students, alumni, faculty and staff.  “The three faculty workshops being put on are an incredible opportunity for our Bahamian students to be exposed to a wealth of information. They will have access to new research data and technologies, experience different teaching methods, and gain greater insight into what it might feel like to attend university abroad.”

Mr. Turnquest said BAMSI’s core objective is to be the college of choice for Bahamian and students across the region in the areas of agriculture and marine science. By linking with universities and institutions of higher learning who offer specialized and advanced programmes in the area of agriculture widens BAMSI’s reach and solidifies its position in the academic arena.

The venture is in conjunction with the University’s 2018 agreement with BAMSI that facilitates student and faculty exchange and other academic collaborations between the two institutions. The trip is also supported by the Dr. Helen McElree Faculty Enrichment Fund that was established in 2016 by McElree, an Ozarks alumna and longtime biology professor who is an honorary lifetime member of the University’s Board of Trustees. The fund was created to enrich the academic culture at Ozarks and to support faculty scholarly and creative activities.

Dr. Raveenia Roberts-Hanna, executive director of BAMSI, visited Ozarks in November and met with University President Richard Dunsworth as well as faculty, staff and students to discuss possible teaching and learning opportunities for faculty and students from both places.

“University of the Ozarks has a strong relationship with BAMSI and the Bahamas and I am thrilled that our faculty from diverse disciplines will be presenting workshops and will be immersed in the unique island culture of Andros,” said U of O Provost Dr. Alyson Gill. “I am grateful to Dr. Roberts-Hanna for offering this opportunity to our faculty for their students and the community, and am looking forward to continued shared projects as we grow our relationship with BAMSI.”

Dr Warren Sconiers, Dr Allison Freed, and Dr Yassine Dguidegue

Dr. Warren Sconiers, assistant professor of biology; Dr. Allison Freed, assistant professor of education/science education and director of the Pat Walker Teacher Education Program; and Dr. Yassine Dguidegue, assistant professor of sociology; will each be presenting seven-day workshops in their respective disciplines at BAMSI, an academic institute and demonstration farm on the largest Bahamian island of Andros.

Sconiers will present workshops, Q&A sessions and lectures on agricultural pest management, biodiversity of insects and terrestrial arthropods and experimental design and application of biological research. He will teach students and participants how to catch and identify common agricultural pests as well as methods to monitor and reduce their presence.

“We will also explore careers in entomology, agricultural research and industry, and help participants find resources to learn more,” Sconiers said. “I will also go into detail on how to design experiments that effectively answer scientific questions in agriculture, plant physiology and entomology, in a variety of habitats and spatial scales.”

Freed will work with a number of audiences, including faculty and students at BAMSI, the local community, children and in-service teachers on the island of Andros.

“The focus of my presentations will be on effective teaching practices, science teaching and learning and environmental education,” Freed said.

Dguidegue will present a workshop titled, “Agricultural Extension: Bridging Local and Scientific Knowledge.” This workshop aims at applying community-based research and engagement, which bridge farming local knowledge and scientific knowledge. Dguidegue said the goal of the workshop is to look at international examples of extension that seek to embody the two major values of BAMSI: “Facilitating knowledge transfer and critical thinking,” and “Facilitating community engagement, partnership and outreach.”

“Farmer involvement in research has been demonstrated to be important in agricultural development,” Dguidegue said. “However, since the majority of the world’s poor and food insecure people are smallholder farmers, farm laborers and herders, extension agencies have to mobilize appropriate educational and engagement resources to bridge farmers’ knowledge with scientific knowledge. Throughout this workshop, we will examine national and international models of extension bearing in mind the question of the extent to which they are applicable to BAMSI’ s extension works.”