Bahamian students awarded CMU scholarships 

Two Bahamian nationals have received full scholarships to study at the Caribbean Maritime University in Kingston thanks to a partnership between the American Caribbean Maritime Foundation (ACMF) and Royal Caribbean International.

Tre’von Ferguson and Shante Pearson received their scholarships – which cover tuition and housing – at a ceremony on 11 January in Nassau on board the Royal Caribbean ‘Symphony of the Seas’. They are the first beneficiaries of an articulation agreement between the CMU and the government of The Bahamas that allows students from the Lowell J. Mortimer (LJM) Maritime Academy in The Bahamas to matriculate directly to the CMU to pursue the university’s management level marine program.

At the ceremony, Professor Fritz Pinnock, president of the CMU, thanked the ACMF and Royal Caribbean for their support. Dr Geneive Brown Metzger, president and founder of the ACMF, said the foundation believed in “the power of partnership” and referring to Mr Ferguson and Ms Pearson she added: “Both recipients are now international ambassadors of the ACMF and Royal Caribbean.” Brendamae Cleare, president of LJM Maritime Academy, said the scholarship recipients were trailblazers and very good students.

Mr Ferguson will pursue his undergraduate degree in marine transportation at the CMU. Ms Pearson said: “This scholarship has given me the opportunity to further my career in the maritime field and I’m now inching closer to becoming a captain on board a cruise ship.”

The next scholarship award ceremony will take place in Jamaica. ACMF scholarships are offered to students with strong academic performance along with demonstrated leadership, service and community involvement. Grants and bursaries are offered to students with good academic standing and compelling financial need.