Scholastic Renaissance Foundation

1. Introduction

The University of the Bahamas Graduate Report provides a critical breakdown of the institution’s academic output and strategic direction. By analyzing the 681 graduates from the 2017-2018 dataset, this report outlines the distribution of degrees across various divisions and meta-fields. This analysis serves to illuminate the university’s academic priorities, its alignment with labour market demands, and the profile of the skilled workforce it contributes to the national and regional economy.

2. Key Findings

2.1 Overview. The analysis of the University of the Bahamas Graduate Report dataset reveals distinct patterns amongst graduates. Organizing the results by division and division field, provides a clearer understanding of where the education system is performing effectively and where targeted interventions are most urgently required.

2.1 | Table 1: Graduate Degree Percentage Breakdown by Division

2.1 | Table 2: Graduate Degree Percentage Breakdown by Division Field

Note: The Division Fields are the following: S.T.E.M.: Chemistry, Environment & Life Sciences, Math, Physics & Technology, and Nursing & Allied Health Professions. Humanities/Arts: Social Sciences, English Studies, Education, Communications & Creative Arts, and Culinary Arts & Tourism Studies. Vocational/Professional: Business & Hospitality Management.

3. Analysis

The dataset reveals a clear profile of the institution’s graduate output, characterized by a strong professional focus and significant concentration in key areas:

• (1) Business & Hospitality Management (23.79%) and Nursing & Allied Health Professions (21.00%) account for nearly 45% of all graduates, indicating these are high-capacity, high-demand flagship programs that likely align closely with specific labour market needs, given the tourism and hospitality-centric economy and constant need for healthcare services.
• (2) Education (15.00%) and Social Sciences (12.04%) form a substantial secondary tier, suggesting a well-rounded institutional profile that supports both public-sector and liberal arts pathways.
• (3) In contrast, divisions such as English Studies (0.88%) and Communications & Creative Arts (2.94%) represent a minuscule fraction of graduates, potentially reflecting their nature as specialized, niche offerings or smaller departmental sizes within the institution.
• (4) The Humanities/Arts (39.06%) category leads the broad fields, but this is primarily driven by its inclusion of the large Business, Social Sciences, and Communications divisions. The S.T.E.M. (37.15%) field is robust, heavily supported by the Nursing and Health Professions sector alongside core science and technology divisions. The Vocational/Professional (23.79%) field’s percentage is identical to Business & Hospitality, suggesting it is defined by that division in this taxonomy.

The institution demonstrates a career-oriented and professional mission. The vast majority of graduates come from programs designed for direct entry into defined professions (healthcare, business, education, culinary arts). While traditional liberal arts and pure sciences are present, they constitute a smaller, more specialized portion of the graduate cohort.

4. Conclusion

The distribution of graduates highlights an institution successfully aligned with practical, professional education. The heavy concentration in Business, Nursing, and Education reflects a strategic focus on meeting workforce demands in key service and public sectors. This alignment suggests strong community and industry relevance. For future planning, the institution may wish to examine the resource allocation and growth potential of its smaller divisions to ensure a balanced academic portfolio that continues to serve diverse student interests and societal needs.

5. Citation

1. Department of Statistics. Labour Market Information Newsletter, Volume 31, No. 42. Ministry of Finance, The Bahamas, December 2018.