Walker College of Business

This immersive program explores critical infrastructure risk, mitigation, and resilience, with a special focus on the Bahamas. A unique international learning journey takes students to Nassau to meet with the management of Bahamas Power & Light (government-owned electric power generation, distribution, and management), Bahamas Water and Sewage Corporation (government-owned potable water supply and sewage treatment), and Lynden Pindling International Airport (largest airport in the Bahamas and the largest international gateway into the country). These meetings are centered on the unique geographical and financial challenges the Bahamas faces in consistently and sustainably meeting the utility and transportation needs of the country. The country's critical infrastructure is vital not only to its citizens directly, but also indirectly as the Bahamian population relies on relatively few industries for its economic health, all of which are heavily dependent on infrastructure for their operations. The Bahamian economy relies predominantly on tourism, which is responsible for approximately 50 percent of the total Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The financial services sector is the second largest industry, comprising between 15 and 20 percent of GDP. Other industries that make a sizable contribution to the economy include agriculture, retail and wholesale trade, fishing, and manufacturing. Students in this course experience the islands of New Providence and Exuma during their travel. While on campus, the coursework examines the Bahamas infrastructure risk and resilience to that of the coastal Southeastern U.S., comparatively.

This is a new program, so please reach out to the program leader, Dr. Lori Medders, Finance Department Chair, and Joseph F. Freeman Distinguished Professor of Insurance, for more details.