MTSU, Bahamas sign pact opening student pipeline to Blue Raider Aerospace program [+VIDEO]

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Middle Tennessee State University and the Commonwealth of The Bahamas have signed an agreement that will foster academic ties and collaboration between the country’s aviation ministry and MTSU’s Department of Aerospace.

The agreement signed Friday, May 30, by MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee and Bahamas Deputy Prime Minister I. Chester Cooper, who also leads the Ministry of Tourism, Investments and Aviation, will create cultural and academic exchanges in education and research.

Middle Tennessee State University President Sidney A. McPhee, left, and Bahamas Deputy Prime Minister I. Chester Cooper exchange copies of a memorandum of understanding between MTSU and the Bahamas Friday, May 30, during a signing ceremony at the Student Union Building on campus in Murfreesboro, Tenn. The agreement calls for a program to facilitate Bahamian students to attend MTSU and train in aerospace. (MTSU photo by J. Intintoli)

It specifically calls for a program to facilitate Bahamian students to attend MTSU and train in aerospace; a summer immersion program for Bahamian students on the MTSU campus; a fast-track program geared for working professionals; and online courses geared for Bahamian students.

“I am honored today to welcome our friends from the Commonwealth of the Bahamas for the signing of this significant agreement,” McPhee said.

Here’s a short video recap of the signing ceremony:

McPhee, a native of the Bahamas, pointed out that “MTSU has been the choice of many students from the Bahamas seeking higher education opportunities.”

“The ties between the commonwealth and our university are strong and constant and, indeed, students from this nation represent a significant percentage of our international enrollment,” McPhee said.

Middle Tennessee State University President Sidney A. McPhee shares details on a memorandum of understanding between MTSU and the Bahamas Friday, May 30, during a signing ceremony at the Student Union Building on campus in Murfreesboro, Tenn. The agreement calls for a program to facilitate Bahamian students to attend MTSU and train in aerospace. (MTSU photo by J. Intintoli)

Cooper, who was joined in his visit to the MTSU campus by representatives from the University of the Bahamas, called the signing “an important occasion.”

“It’s a monumental step for the advancement of the aviation industry in the Bahamas and the aviation education landscape in the Bahamas,” he said.

“We’re excited about this possibility, and we consider this only the beginning of more great collaborations between the University of The Bahamas and MTSU and the Bahamas at large.”

MTSU Aerospace, with 20 full-time faculty members, 100+ flight instructors, and over 1,200 students, is among the largest of the nation’s collegiate aviation programs.

MTSU’s total aerospace enrollment, including all seven undergraduate concentrations and three graduate concentrations, makes up about 6% of the university’s total student population. Students from 32 states and 16 foreign countries are enrolled in the program.

— Andrew Oppmann (Andrew.Oppmann@mtsu.edu)