Top High School Graduates Embark on Cultural Immersion in Nanjing, China

18th July 2024

Nassau, THE BAHAMAS — When Central Eleuthera native Jade Thompson got the news that she and 10 other top high school graduates were going on an educational and cultural immersion trip to the People’s Republic of China (PRC), courtesy of University of The Bahamas (UB), she said she thought she was dreaming.

“When the call came in, I thought my daddy was joking with me,” said Jade, who recently graduated at the top of her graduating class for the Central Eleuthera High School. “He was like, ‘they just called, they want you to come to China’. And I was like, ‘that didn’t sound real’. It didn’t hit me until we came here (to New Providence) yesterday.”

Once in New Providence Jade connected with UB’s Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dr. Maria Oriakhi, her Executive Assistant Shacantila Hall, and Assistant Professor Dr. Williamson Gustave. Hall and Gustave were to be their chaperones. The China-bound group comprised Jade, fellow Central Eleuthera High School alum Ellis Culmer; Long Islanders Dakarai Turnquest (2024 Billiard Congress of America Pool League Platinum Division Men’s nine-ball singles world champion), Adrien Shearer and Kaiden Shearer; Cat Islanders Devante Turner and Marcus Thacker, Jr; Exumian Oriander Clough; Androsian Oneyia Neymour; and Nassuvian Kaizer Briggs. The group is now in Nanjing, China at the Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology (NUIST), a longstanding educational partner of UB.

“These young persons represent some of the brightest and smartest individuals The Bahamas has to offer,” said Dr. Oriakhi. “They are valedictorians, salutatorians, and community leaders in their respective islands. We’re so grateful for this opportunity for University of The Bahamas to support the cultural and educational experiences of young Bahamians in this country.”

Just hours before their departure on Friday 12 July, the 11 university-bound students, their chaperones, and UB’s Board of Trustees Chair, Mrs. Allyson Maynard-Gibson, paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Education and Technical & Vocational Training, the Hon. Glenys Hanna-Martin.

“This warms my heart,” said Minister Hanna-Martin. “I just want to congratulate University of The Bahamas for leading this charge in their selection of these young people, in their support of these young people, and to say to all of you this is a chance of a lifetime. Make the most of it, and as you prepare for the next phase of your lives, let this be an enriching experience for what comes next.

“We are all very proud of you, because you have shown that the early efforts of our forefathers who believed in our people, when you couldn’t go to school beyond the age of 14. They knew what this country could do and you are proof. Keep your feet on the ground, hold your head high and come back and tell us how good it was.”

Marcus Thacker, Jr, the valedictorian of Arthur’s Town Comprehensive School in Cat Island, was also excited about the opportunity to be enriched and learn more about China.

“I am very grateful,” said Marcus. “I see this as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I look forward to experiencing different cultures, seeing new things, and meeting different people.”

Kaizer Briggs, who graduated from the Windsor School, said the trip represents immense personal and professional development opportunities.

“I am extremely grateful for this opportunity,” said Kaizer. “I want to pursue Computer Science when I go to University, so going to China to see how their technology is and also to see the culture and be with their students, I could bring it back home to The Bahamas and the university as well.”

Oriander Clough, who graduated as salutatorian of L.N. Coakley High School in Exuma, echoed similar sentiments.

“I am very grateful to have been chosen for this opportunity and I feel as if I’ll be able to enrich and broaden my perspective on the global market, especially because I can learn a lot from China,” said Oriander.

Mrs. Maynard-Gibson said she and the Board were proud and excited about another cadre of budding scholars, change agents, and innovators getting such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to travel to China under the auspices of UB.

“We’re very happy that they’re very happy that they’re going to have this opportunity, which is a life transforming opportunity,” said Mrs. Maynard-Gibson. “They all want to pursue such exciting careers. And so, the opportunity to go to China and see the world from a different perspective certainly will broaden their mindsets and enhance them, but also enhance our country.”

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University of The Bahamas stands as a proud beacon of national transformation. With an illustrious legacy spanning 50 years, the institution has cultivated a rich tapestry of academic diversity, impactful research engagements, and transformative collaborations. UB has in excess of 22,000 alumni, more than 4,000 students, with locations in New Providence, Grand Bahama and San Salvador. Our students are shaped as not merely scholars, but as dynamic global citizens able to navigate the challenges of a global society.