Gowon Bowe, partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers and Chairman, Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers’ Confederation, advised the 2016 graduating Class of Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI) to make contributions to the country’s National Development Plan (NDP), a 30-year blueprint that outlines the economic vision of The Bahamas.
“Your country needs bold, talented, visionary, innovative leaders and citizens to carry it forward. The National Development Plan is the first attempt to concretely provide a vision for the country. However, you as our young, innovative, talented individuals must make your contributions to the actual objective.”
Some 200 students marked the educational milestone and were conferred certificates, diplomas and Associate of Applied Science degrees during the annual ceremony Tuesday, July 5, at Bahamas Faith Ministries. Senior Government officials, BTVI board of directors, administrators, faculty, staff, family and well-wishers were in attendance. The Royal Bahamas Defence Force Band provided entertainment throughout the ceremony. The theme for the Commencement exercise was “Celebrating Excellence.”
Mr. Bowe, in his Commencement address, expounded on the acronym BTVI: “B-Bold, T-Talent, V-Vision, I-Innovation.”
He said the nation needs to begin to cultivate a society of “bold” citizens who are objective in criticism, but unafraid to speak about the things that require it: willing to participate in changing the course of the country and courageous to lead a nation into the unknown.
“Let your lights shine bright. You have invested in your natural talents to develop them,” said Mr. Bowe. “Never accept that another person is better than you. Work hard to be the best. You sometimes have to fake it until you make it, but never fake it to make it.”
Angela Pratt-Rolle, Undersecretary in the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology who brought remarks on behalf of the Hon. Jerome Fitzgerald, Minister of Education, Science and Technology, encouraged the graduates to take advantage of every opportunity that comes their way. She said success awaits them and the country is ready to embrace their skills, talents and innovations.
“Over the past few years, some of you have learned how to take apart an engine and put it back together again. Some of you have learned how to install air conditioners in a home or manage the technology in an office. Some of you have even learned how to turn the most ordinary hair and nails into works of art. No matter what you have learned during your time here, I can say that all of you are graduating today not just with a great education, but with the skills that will let you start your careers and skills that will make a more modern and prosperous Bahamas,” she said.
