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 443 graduates from the 2019-2020 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
Division | Percentage |
Business & Hospitality Management | 27.54% |
Chemistry, Environment & Life Sciences | 11.51% |
Communications & Creative Arts | 3.84% |
Culinary Arts & Tourism Studies | 3.61% |
Education | 21.40% |
English Studies | 1.35% |
Math, Physics & Technology | 4.74% |
Nursing & Allied Health Professions | 13.32% |
Social Sciences | 12.64% |
2.1 | Table 2: Graduate Degree Percentage Breakdown by Division Field
Division Field | Percentage |
S.T.E.M | 29.57% |
Humanities/Arts | 42.89% |
Vocational/Professional | 27.54% |
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 data reveal a pronounced concentration of graduate output in divisions directly aligned with national economic and public-service priorities, reinforcing the university’s role as a primary supplier of skilled professionals for The Bahamas:
- (1) The distribution of graduates is heavily centered on two key divisions that together account for nearly 49% of all degrees. Business & Hospitality Management (27.54%) remains the single largest division, highlighting the institution’s continued focus on supporting the tourism-driven national economy. Education (21.40%) constitutes the second-largest cohort, underscoring the university’s critical function in preparing educators for the national school system.
- (2) Social Sciences (12.64%) and Nursing & Allied Health Professions (13.32%) form essential secondary pillars, supplying graduates for public administration, community services, and healthcare. Chemistry, Environment & Life Sciences (11.51%) represents a meaningful investment in STEM fields relevant to environmental and scientific sectors. In contrast, English Studies (1.35%) and Culinary Arts & Tourism Studies (3.61%) continue to represent niche, smaller-scale programs within the university’s academic portfolio.
- (3) The Humanities/Arts field (42.89%) maintains the largest share. The Vocational/Professional field (27.54%) aligns exclusively with Business & Hospitality Management in this classification, while the S.T.E.M. field (29.57%) is sustained primarily by Nursing, Chemistry/Life Sciences, and Math/Physics/Technology divisions.
The institution demonstrates a clear, practically oriented academic mission, with the overwhelming majority of graduates channeled into sectors vital to national development, tourism, education, public service, and healthcare. This reflects a responsive and targeted curriculum aligned with both labour market demands and long-term strategic needs.
4. Conclusion
The 2019–2020 graduate data reaffirms the University of The Bahamas’s central role in advancing national development through targeted human capital formation. The strong emphasis on Business & Hospitality Management and Education illustrates a consistent strategic commitment to strengthening the country’s economic backbone and public education infrastructure.
This focused output suggests effective alignment with national workforce demands and socio-economic priorities. For continued relevance and impact, the university may wish to assess the enrollment and graduate trends in smaller divisions, such as Culinary Arts & Tourism Studies and English Studies, to ensure that niche but potentially valuable skill sets are adequately supported. Ongoing alignment with national development plans will ensure the institution remains a key contributor to a resilient and diversified Bahamian economy.
5. Citation
- Department of Statistics. Labour Market Information Newsletter, Volume 33, No. 44. Ministry of Finance, The Bahamas, December 2020.