Press Release
The Bahamas has been called the “most beautiful place from space” and now a groundbreaking Environmental and Aerospace Satellite Engineering programme at University of The Bahamas (UB) will equip students with the skills to use satellite technology to monitor coastlines, marine ecosystems and climate threats while laying the foundation for the first Bahamian satellite.
The programme – the first in the region – will have a specialized focus on satellite and environmental applications with credentialling courses offered through UB’s Continuing Education and Lifelong Learning (CeLEARN) unit beginning in September. Students in traditional undergraduate programmes and working professionals will be involved in the entire satellite development process, learning how to build a remote sensing system that gathers and analyses data on the Bahamian archipelago.
Director of UB Open Learning and Acting Director of Personal and Professional Development Dr. Edward Bethel said the growing space economy presents a significant opportunity to prepare the Bahamian workforce for emerging industries through a two-pronged approach focused on building both technical expertise and environmental responsibility.
“On the one hand, the Applied Satellite Systems Engineering programme will provide space and satellite skills training, while on the other, the Environmental Engineering programme will provide the framework of values to ensure that this technology is deployed with the proper protection and respect for the Bahamian environment.
“What really makes this special, though, is that it is both rigorous and work-ready. Programme graduates will be ready to work in the satellite economy or environmental management space on day one,” he explained.
Programme consultant and aerospace engineer Dr. James Murray said The Bahamas is expanding not only its sovereign capabilities in this highly technological area, but the knowledge and skills to carry it forward.
“A national university should be the custodian of national intellectual property,” said Dr. Murray, a UB alumnus. “University of The Bahamas is ideal for this programme where the environmental data can be brought together and analysed to advise both public and private stakeholders across the country with useful data.
“And at the same time, students will be trained in the art of environmental and space satellite engineering to sustain the programme for the long term.”
Dr. Murray added that this offers enormous potential for The Bahamas, with hundreds of islands and cays spread across nearly 100,000 square miles of ocean, to leverage its location and become an active participant in environmental and space satellite engineering. For instance, a Bahamian satellite could provide frequent updates before, during and after hurricanes, monitor coastal erosion, track changes to marine habitats and generate invaluable information for climate resilience, disaster preparedness and sustainable development.
The programme will help The Bahamas develop the expertise to respond to global challenges and make smarter, data-driven decisions. While UB has initial philanthropic support for this initiative from a million-dollar SpaceX donation, additional investments and partnerships are needed as plans advance toward the long-term goal of building and launching a Bahamian satellite.
Dean of Pure and Applied Sciences Dr. Veronica Toppin says the programme reflects the increasingly interdisciplinary nature of modern science and engineering to encourage new ideas and solutions that will benefit both academia and the wider community.
“Satellites generate data that can be applied across numerous sectors, creating opportunities for collaboration among scientists, engineers, environmental researchers, computer scientists, mathematicians, economists, technologists, policy specialists and those involved in the newly emerging small island sustainability studies,” said Dr. Toppin.
“Students and faculty from diverse disciplines will be able to work together to address complex national challenges using data-driven approaches. This collaborative model mirrors the way real-world problems are solved and encourages innovative thinking that transcends traditional academic boundaries.”
Dr. Toppin anticipates the programme will open the door to a legacy of possibility.
“It demonstrates that Bahamian students can participate in frontier fields of science and engineering and contribute to technological advancements that have global significance. Students will see that innovation can emerge from The Bahamas that complex challenges can be addressed through local expertise, and that our nation can contribute meaningfully to the global scientific community,” she added.
Assistant Vice President of Innovation Dr. Dinipre Allen noted the initiative also positions The Bahamas to compete in one of the world’s fastest-growing high-technology sectors.
“I envision The Bahamas becoming a regional leader in space-enabled technologies and environmental innovation, supported by a pipeline of highly skilled professionals, stronger research capacity, and new economic opportunities in high-value sectors,” Dr. Allen said.
Students entering the two-year programme will begin with an intensive in-person introduction led by international experts in areas including orbital physics, rocket science, satellite design, space law and the global space industry. The remainder of the programme will be delivered virtually over six trimesters, guiding participants through the full satellite development lifecycle and culminating in a formal mission review based on leading global space programme standards.
For persons considering careers in science, engineering and technology, the opportunity is unlike any previously available in The Bahamas or the region: learning how space technology can help protect the islands they call home and increase environmental stewardship and national resilience.
More details on this programme are accessible on the UB website at: www.ub.edu.bs/ease-programme
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