University of The Bahamas Holds Teachers Commissioning Ceremony for Aspiring Educators

31^st May 2022

Nassau, THE BAHAMAS — Over 100 aspiring pre-school, general education and specialist teachers have pledged to promote equity in education and serve with integrity after completing their respective academic programmes at University of The Bahamas (UB).

The cadre of graduates of the School of Education recited the teachers pledge before a crowd of excited supporters at UB’s Teachers Commissioning Ceremony held recently at the Atlantis Paradise Island Convention Centre where they were commissioned to serve. The ceremony was one of several held during a week of events which marked the Spring 2022 Commencement season.

The education grads were commended for completing their academic pursuits in an especially challenging era as the country grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic, the impacts of climate change and economic woes.

“Graduates, your achievement today is demonstrative of what it means to be resolute and persistent,” said keynote speaker, UB alum, and State Minister of Education and Technical & Vocational Training, the Hon. Zane Lightbourne. “These are attributes that will serve you well as educators to our more than 40,000 students throughout this country, and accomplishments that will add to your ability for positive mentorship for our future aspirant teachers of this country.”

UB President Dr. Rodney D. Smith, a veteran educator of 46 years, congratulated the grads for persevering through an era in human history that ushered in an unprecedented shift in education. He urged them to remember that regardless of whatever form education takes moving forward, the bedrock of the profession will always be the teacher.

“My challenge to you today, the newest educators in The Bahamas, is to remember that no matter what advances we have in technology, no matter how sophisticated our teaching and learning techniques may become, it remains the teacher, the human being in the classroom space—actual, virtual, or hybrid—that really has the power to get the students motivated, to use the innovation we invent and experiment with to make learning more interesting and engaging,” said Dr. Smith.

Dr. Thalia V. Micklewhite, Dean of Social and Educational Studies at UB, echoed his sentiments.

“Teachers remain one of the critical building blocks to stable nationhood,” said Dean Micklewhite. “As such, the quality of our graduates today will continue to impact this Commonwealth of The Bahamas for many years to come. This morning our graduands will be charged and commissioned to give their very best as they take on touching the future lives of our leaders and citizens of the country.”

Associate Professor in the School of Education, Mrs. Jennifer Isaacs-Dotson, reminded the grads that the Teachers Commissioning Ceremony is more than just an opportunity for pomp and pageantry; it is a celebration of the noble roles teachers play in shaping society.

“This ceremony is significant as you enter into this noble profession to be a change agent, one that will prepare students for a rapidly changing society,” she said. “You will need to think critically and analytically and to develop the skills and attitudes that will allow you to be flexible and ingenious enough to deal with any given situation. This is an awesome task that you have decided to fulfill and ensure that our nation thrives economically based on our most important asset: the people.”

Mrs. Jovonia Kemp-Moss, in delivering a response on behalf of education grads, said she and her contemporaries fully appreciate the solemn duty with which they have been entrusted.

“To our Minister of Education, the Hon. Glenys Hanna-Martin, and our Minister of State, the Hon. Zane Lightbourne, I ask you to take this moment and bask in the satisfaction that when the new school year begins, the nation’s classrooms will be outfitted with polished, innovative and highly qualified teachers that will surpass your greatest expectations,” she said. “May I say, that this year’s graduating teachers might be the best yet.”

The Spring 2022 Commencement was held under the theme, “We Survived, Now We Thrive: Succeeding Against the Odds”.

Office of University Relations
University of The Bahamas
2^ndFloor, Michael H. Eldon Complex
Oakes Field Campus
P.O. Box N-4912
Nassau, The Bahamas
Tel: (242) 302-4355/4354/4365

Chartered on 10th November 2016, University of The Bahamas (UB) is a beacon for national transformation. Approximately 5,000 students are enrolled in the University of The Bahamas system which includes campuses and centres on New Providence, Grand Bahama, San Salvador and Abaco, as well as UB online education. UB’s diverse academic programmes, research engagements, athletics and leadership development experiences equip our students to become global citizens in a dynamic world.