ScholarshipsBahamas

Highlights from the 25th Manifest Arts Festival at Columbia College Chicago and Future Opportunities for Bahamian Students

On Saturday, May 16, 2026, officials from the Ministry of Education’s Scholarship and Educational Loan Division attended the 25th Manifest Arts Festival. This event is Columbia College Chicago’s main student-run urban arts festival, held every spring in the South Loop. It turns the campus into a large, lively gallery showcasing thesis projects, films, music, and fashion designs by graduating students. This year’s theme was “Kaleidoscope: Reflecting 25 Years of Creativity,” emphasizing diversity and creativity.

The festival features performances, exhibitions, student films, theater, dance, and a runway show of student-designed clothes. Community involvement is also a big part of the event.

For the delegates, Drs. Tonia Ferguson and Sophia Rolle, the fashion show was a highlight. Although no Bahamian students participated this year, they hope to see Bahamian talent featured in future festivals.

In February, the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology made a partnership with Columbia College Chicago to support Bahamian students interested in studying there.

Below are some photos and videos from this year’s festival.

On March 25, 2026, Benedict College and the Ministry of Education and Technical and Vocational Training collaboratively reinforced their partnership with the signing of a Program Specific Agreement. This agreement established a dedicated scholarship pathway for Bahamian undergraduate students. It was executed on Thursday, March 19, 2026, during a multi-day campus visit by a senior delegation from the Ministry, marking the second such agreement between Benedict College and the Bahamian Ministry of Education.

The five-year agreement created a structured, jointly funded pathway for Bahamian undergraduates to pursue priority degree programs at Benedict College. It provided a framework whereby Ministry-sponsored scholars received a combination of institutional and government scholarship support, covering a significant portion of the annual cost of attendance. These awards were renewable for up to four years and were available to students participating in the Public-School Scholarship Programme (PSSP), as well as eligible private school, homeschool, and transfer students. A primary focus of the partnership was to support Bahamian nationals pursuing higher education at Benedict College.

The visiting delegation included Dr. Tonia Ferguson, Administrator of the Scholarship and Educational Loan Division; Dr. Sophia A. Rolle, Consultant to the Public-School Scholarship Programme; and Robyn Lynes, Chair of the National Scholarship Committee.

Photo Included: left to right: Dr. Yohannis A. Job, Vice President for Enrollment Management, Benedict College; Dr. Roslyn Clark Artis, President and CEO, Benedict College; Dr. Tonia Ferguson, Administrator of the Scholarship and Educational Loan Division, the Commonwealth of The Bahamas; Dr. Sophia A. Rolle, Consultant to the Public-School Scholarship Programme, the Commonwealth of The Bahamas; and Robyn Lynes, Chair of the National Scholarship Committee, the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.

Please see the link below:

https://benedict.edu/benedict-college-and-the-bahamas-ministry-of-education-renews-a-jointly-funded-scholarship-pathway-for-bahamian-students/?fbclid=IwY2xjawQyKJNleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETE3cHJOZDF4blpRekJzZ2Nxc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHto5hQVKJm0DPZtHzH5YxHj9W8UO7Cex7H0-38whkHLONuqQUi_xOQpKGBvf_aem_6UICZS_9wLjVTfZcYihrhQ

Benedict College and the Bahamas Ministry of Education Renews a Jointly Funded Scholarship Pathway for Bahamian Students | Benedict College | Columbia, South Carolina Five-year agreement creates a structured, jointly funded pathway for Bahamian undergraduates to pursue priority degree programs at Benedict College