NASSAU, Bahamas – Four Bahamians are among the recipients of the 2023/2024 Chevening Fellowship, a UK government international scholarship programme.that offers recipients fully-funded awards to study for a master’s degree in the United Kingdom for one year.
The British High Commission in Nassau on its Facebook Page extended congratulations to:
PAIGE CLARISSA BASTIAN, who currently serves as The Nassau Container Port’s (NCP) newly appointed Sustainability Officer. She will pursue a Master of Science in Environmental Management with a waste specialization from Glasgow Caledonian University.
ANN-MARIE CARROLL, a Grand Bahama environmentalist. Sponsored in partnership by the The Charles Hayward Foundation, Ann-Marie will be completing a Master of Science in Environmental Management at the University of Stirling in Stirling, Scotland.
TEREAH ALBURY, who is described as “the proud recipient of a Chevening Scholarship sponsored in partnership with Bahamas Hot Mix (BHM)to study at Cranfield University.
NASIA COLEBROOKE, who graduated from University of The Bahamas in 2017 with a BA in English (minor in History). The following year, she worked in public relations and marketing, and volunteered with Hands for Hunger as a food runner, before becoming a copy editor at The Nassau Guardian in 2019. Nasia will attend City, University of London to complete her MA in Magazine Journalism.
CONGRATULATIONS TO PAIGE CLARISSA BASTIAN
Expanding on the background of Paige Clarissa Bastian, The British High Commission noted that as the Nassau Container Port’s newly appointed Sustainability Officer, Ms. Bastian “promotes sustainable initiatives while supporting the company’s commitment to its Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) framework.”
“In her role, she assesses trends and best practices regarding the sustainable maritime transportation industry while determining appropriate implementation strategies in the local context,” The British High Commission’s post stated.
It added, “Previously, she was a Project Officer in the Strategic Development and Initiatives Unit at The Bahamas Development Bank (BDB). Here, she honed several technical skills with the goal of consistent evolution; this led to her becoming the only member of the bank to earn a certificate in Environmental and Social Risk Analysis. Paige’s tenacity and commitment to executing The Bank’s strategic plan also resulted in the creation of The Bank’s first Sustainable Development Goals Impact Report. She also played a critical role in preparing The Bank to serve as the first national direct access entity for the Green Climate Fund, an accomplishment that will allow the direct flow of climate finance into the country.
“In 2020, Paige graduated from the University of The Bahamas (UB) with Distinction, earning a Bachelor of Science in Small Island Sustainability with a focus on Marine Science. At UB, she delved deeper into the sustainability challenges facing Small Island Developing States, particularly waste management. Her capstone project focused on waste management realities and reduction strategies in New Providence.
“For her next academic chapter, Paige has decided to pursue a Master of Science in Environmental Management with a waste specialization from Glasgow Caledonian University. The privilege of being selected as a Chevening Scholar is Paige’s most esteemed accomplishment to date. During this experience, she endeavors to connect with individuals from various backgrounds to develop and leverage opportunities for The Bahamas with positive lasting impacts.
“Paige’s long-term career goal is to shape the linkages between policy, waste, infrastructure, vulnerability, and adaptation while providing resilient, inclusive, and community-based sustainable solutions.”
CONGRATULATIONS TO ANN-MARIE CARROLL
Commenting further on Ann-Marie Carroll, The Hing Commission stated, “In 2011 she received a Bahamas Environmental Steward Scholar (B.E.S.S) award and attended the Island School in Spring 2012. She is an alumna of the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine campus, where she completed an undergraduate degree in Biology with a minor in psychology in 2017.
“For the last five years Ann-Marie has been employed with the Bahamas National Trust (BNT) as an environmental educator. She has a passion for sustainable development, environmental education, and environmental stewardship. Throughout her career she has led and managed invasive species removal projects, which replaced invasive plants like Australian Pines, Scaevola, and Brazilian Peppers with native beneficial plants like sea oats, buttonwood, and sea purslane.
“Her passion for environmental education prompted her to create an informal but educational blog in 2020 called EcoTings where she provides free environmental education and resources to the Bahamian public. As an advocate for environmental stewardship, she also leads community cleanups and partners with other like-minded organizations in community powered restoration projects.”
CONGRATULATIONS TO TEREAH ALBURY
In providing additional background information on Tereah Albury, The High Commission stated: “From a tender age, Tereah Antoinette Albury has seen as a budding scientist, always focused on nature and asking questions. Her early childhood aspiration was to become a doctor. Tereah was a student athlete in high school and played many sports, including; softball, basketball, volleyball and track and field. In 2002 she completed high school and received a partial athletic scholarship to St. Augustine’s College, Raleigh, North Carolina.
“Tereah stood out in University on and off the softball field and trail blazed to become the first Forensic Science graduate. May 12th 2007 she proudly walked across the stage to receive her Bachelors of Science in Forensic Science. Tereah immediately returned home as it was her mission to contribute to the Forensic Industry in The Bahamas.
“December 17th 2007, she enlisted into the Royal Bahamas Police force as a part of E squad 2007 an all-female squad. It was there where she learnt true sisterhood, leadership and the importance of uplifting and supporting each other. Tereah kept her eyes on the prize and completed the police force training as the Baton of Honor recipient. Day one out of the gate she was ready to become the country’s first female Firearm Expert.
“In 2009 upon completion of her probationary period, she was transferred to the Forensic Science Section, Firearms Identification and Tool marks Unit. Head up and determined she commenced training in the field under the tutelage of Chief Supt. Earl Thompson and Mr. Charles Bain, both legendary firearm examiners within the country.
“In 2010 she was deemed an expert witness within the courts in the field of firearms becoming the first female firearm expert in the Bahamas. Tereah has since worked with over fifty (50) different makes models and caliber of firearms and completed over one thousand (1000) cases.
“Her hard work and professionalism has not gone unnoticed locally nor abroad and she has received numerous accolades as a result.
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13 is Tereah’s daily motivation as she presses on to make the Bahamas a safer place for all to live, work and visit.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Here’s an excerpt from Chevening Scholarship website: “Successful Chevening candidates come from a diverse range of countries and backgrounds, but they all demonstrate the passion, vision and skills needed to shape a better world. There are many benefits to being selected, including fully funded tuition fees, access to some of the best quality education in the world, exclusive networking opportunities, and the chance to explore the UK’s diverse culture.
At the end of your scholarship, you’ll join our diverse community of over 55,000 global alumni. You’ll return home equipped with the knowledge and networks to bring your ideas to life and thrive in your career.
Chevening Fellowships are offered to mid-career professionals who have reached a position of influence and want to increase their knowledge, networks, and potential through tailored short courses, research, or professional placements at UK institutions.
Chevening Fellowships are an important element of Britain’s public diplomacy effort and offer opportunities to mid-career leaders and influencers from across the globe. Fellows are often people of significant standing in their home countries and will usually have completed some element(s) of higher education already. Chevening Fellowships offer dynamic training, professional development, and other opportunities for individuals to spend time in the UK researching subject matters that are relevant to their professional interests as well as to the UK’s international strategic priorities.”
