Minister of Industry, Innovation, Science and Technology, Senator Jonathan Reid, encouraged students participating in the Ministry’s Secondary Schools Science and Technology Speak-Off Competition to be innovative and creative, and not to be afraid to experiment or fail in their endeavours.

The event, which was held separately from the annual Science and Technology Festival for the first time this year, saw students from six schools competing for the coveted MIST Challenge Trophy, at the Courtney Blackman Grand Salle, Tom Adams Financial Centre, Church Village, St. Michael. Those schools were Coleridge and Parry, Harrison College, Princess Margaret, Ellerslie, The Lodge School, and The St. Michael School.

Coleridge and Parry School emerged the winners of the competition and Harrison College copped second place, while Princess Margaret Secondary School came in third position.

“I encourage all of you to be creative, be innovative, to try things, to be brave, and see how to impact the lives around you. It’s important for you to understand that science is not just a distant thing. It doesn’t just exist in books; it’s not foreign. It’s not for other people; it’s for us. It’s every day in Barbados; everything around us, from the lights and the cameras from the desks that you’re sitting at, the chairs you’re sitting in that all have to be designed and created through some means of science and technology, all of it, it’s everywhere.

“So you, too, can shape the future. You just have to be bold… [and] curious. You have to experiment. And in experimenting, you will learn how to try things and if they don’t succeed, try again and learn from failing and try again and go again and shape the future. And that’s key. We are building it together. We are trying new things together, and we won’t always get it right…. That’s what science is all about, experimenting, trying and building,” Mr. Reid told participants.

Students presented on topics such as “The Proliferation of Mobile Apps Has a Profound Impact on Everyday Life”; “AI Holds Tremendous Potential in Healthcare and Personalised Medicine”; “The Environmental Impacts of Microplastics and Food Chains is Staggering and Has Serious Implications for Human Health”; “The Importance of Cybersecurity in Today’s Digital World Cannot Be Overstated”; and “Apart from Solar Energy, We in Barbados and the Caribbean Have Not Embraced Renewable Energy in a Major Way”.

They also received individual prizes such as Most Outstanding Speaker (Prepared Speech), which went to Talisa Boyce from Coleridge and Parry School; Most Outstanding Speaker (Impromptu Speech) – Chelsey Harding from Harrison College; Most Commendable – Daniel Griffith, from The Lodge School; and The Stepping Stones to Excellence Award – Reanna Wray and Kianna Pile, both from The Ellerslie School. 

The annual competition aims to develop students’ presentation skills and provide them with an opportunity to present to a live audience. In preparation for the event, students develop a range of skills, including critical thinking, problem-solving, teamwork, and research skills as well as examine topical issues within science and technology that address moral and ethical concerns impacting humanity and the environment. (PR/GIS)

Caption: The winning team from the Coleridge and Parry School in this year’s MIST Secondary Schools Science and Technology Speak-Off Competition pose with Science Teacher, D’shauna Marshall

A new energy era has begun with the creation of the Barbados National Energy Company Limited (BNECL).

And, the Barbados National Oil Company Limited (BNOCL) and Barbados National Terminal Company Limited (BNTCL) have transitioned to this new entity.

Speaking at the rebranding ceremony today, Minister of Energy and Business, Senator Lisa Cummins, said the National Petroleum Corporation (NPC) would be merged with the new entity later. However, she reiterated that members of staff did not have to fear job losses.

“There are no redundancies as a consequence of this transition. All of our jobs in these companies are secure, all of them. I want to assure you of that…. The reason we have not done NPC today, … is simply because it is easier for BNOCL and BNTCL, who are already companies, to be folded into a new company.

“There are still some things that you and I know we need to get done, and we need to get done smoothly. Those things will continue, and then we will fold the NPC, which is a statutory entity, into the BNECL, with everyone’s rightsbeing preserved and neverdisadvantaging people because people sit at the centre of this transition,” she assured.

Senator Cummins said she was looking forward to the completion of the legislative work, and “people-related work”, so NPC could be amalgamated into BNECL.

“When that happens, I want to be able to see all of the work that I have just described come to fruition over the next year,” she stated.

 The Minister thanked all the stakeholders involved in the process, including the transition team. She noted that the Inter-American Development Bank has assisted the island’s energy sector tremendously, including in the preparatory work for the amalgamation.

“An extensive amount of analysis has gone in to getting us this far; an extensive amount of detailed work has gone into framing the how and the why; [and] an extensive amount of analysis has gone into not only what this company individually has done, but our place in the world,” she stressed.

Chairman of the NPC and interim Chairman of the BNECL, Dr. Asquith Thompson, described today as an exciting new chapter in the country’s energy journey.

“The amalgamation of the Barbados National Oil Group of Companies marks more than just a structural change. It is a bold step toward energy innovation and national progress. While the National Petroleum Corporation is not yet part of the amalgamation, it soon will be, and we celebrate our shared commitment in anticipation of becoming one unified company.

“This transformation reflects our dedication to optimising operations, enhancing efficiency, and delivering reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy solutions for all Barbadians,” Dr. Thompson shared. 

He stressed that BNECL was committed to embracing innovation, and gave the assurance that they would build an energy future that is bright, secure, and sustainable for generations to come. 

The rebranding ceremony was held at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre, and the unveiling of the new signage occurred simultaneously at Woodbourne, St. Philip, and Fairy Valley, Christ Church, which housed the two entities that BNECL has replaced. (PR/GIS)

A “Queen of Gospel” and a well-known family physician were among 10 persons from the parish of St. Thomas who were bestowed with the Pride of Barbados Award following recent celebrations for We Gatherin’ 2025.

They were the third group of Barbadians to receive the honours at State House from President of Barbados, Her Excellency, The Most Honourable Dame Sandra Mason.

The awards were presented on Monday to the following persons: Donley Carrington, Pedro Greaves, Dr. Adrian Lorde, Magrita Marshall, Chesterfield Mayers, Patricia Ramsay, Maxine Skeete, Denise Armstrong, Reverend Steve Foster, and Monique Herbert. Seven of the awardees are residents of Barbados, while three are from the diaspora.

They were recognised for their contributions in the following areas: educational development, civic duties, youth development, care of the elderly, community activism, advancement of sports, philanthropy, and improving the circumstances of the less fortunate.

Outspoken physician, Dr. Adrian Lorde, said he was humbled by the honour. “I have been living in St. Thomas for the last 35 years and I always wanted to give back…. Since 1978, I have been giving back and I am honoured to receive this [award]. I will continue to do the work that God has given to me to do for my community, country, and the region,” he stated.

Fellow recipient Patricia Ramsay also expressed her gratitude. “I feel honoured to receive such an award. I’ve always done this work not looking for any reward. It is part of my Christian principles; it is part of my profession as a nurse for over 46 years to do diligence to my people, not only in Barbados but internationally.

Pedro Greaves said he was at a loss for words after receiving the award. “I feel ecstatic because I have been giving back and volunteering all my life from 14 years old to the community and Barbados as a whole. This is an award from the people of St. Thomas for what we have done for them in the parish, so it feels good to know that the people that we serve have recognised what we’ve done. So, it is truly an honour, and I’m grateful for it,” Mr. Greaves said. (PR/GIS)

Caption: Seven of the ten recipients of the Pride of Barbados Awards for St. Thomas pose with President of Barbados, The Most Honourable Dame Sandra Mason at State House