Carib Scope

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  • Dominican Republic issues commemorative stamp for Cocoa Commission’s 50th anniversary

    Dominican Republic issues commemorative stamp for Cocoa Commission’s 50th anniversary

    A new milestone in the Dominican Republic’s agricultural history is being celebrated through philately, as three leading national institutions have joined forces to launch a special commemorative postage stamp honoring the 50th year of work by the country’s National Cocoa Commission.

    The joint initiative brings together the Dominican Postal Institute (Inposdom), the Ministry of Agriculture, and the National Cocoa Commission itself, creating a tangible tribute to half a century of contributions that have reshaped the nation’s cocoa industry. Over the past five decades, the commission’s work has laid a solid foundation for the sustained growth of Dominican cocoa, transforming the sector into a core pillar of the country’s economic performance. Today, Dominican cocoa is a key driver of national export revenue, generates widespread employment across rural producing regions, and bolsters the Dominican Republic’s reputation as a competitive, trusted player in global cocoa markets.

    Beyond economic gains, public officials emphasized during the launch that cocoa cultivation delivers far-reaching benefits that extend beyond agricultural output. The crop plays an underrecognized but critical role in national environmental conservation efforts: cocoa agroforestry systems help protect existing forested areas, preserve biodiversity, and advance the goals of sustainable development that benefit both current and future generations in producing communities.

    Officially cataloged as issue No. 08-26, the commemorative stamp carries a face value of 75 Dominican pesos, with a limited print run of 10,000 individual copies. Measuring 40 by 40 millimeters, the design was crafted by architect Alejandro Vignieri and brought to life by printing firm Editora de Formas. Its official release and circulation were formally approved through Decree No. 147-26, signed into effect on March 4, 2026, formalizing the tribute to the commission’s five decades of public service.

  • 5 Dominican beaches recommended by HolidayCheck for water sports

    5 Dominican beaches recommended by HolidayCheck for water sports

    A leading German travel portal, HolidayCheck, has named five standout beaches across the Dominican Republic as premier global destinations for a wide range of water-based activities, drawing fresh attention to the Caribbean nation’s diverse coastal appeal for adventure travelers.

    The curated list includes Cabarete, Playa Bávaro, Playa Grande, Boca Chica and Playa Rincón, each located across the country’s northern, eastern and southern shorelines, every spot offering a one-of-a-kind experience tailored to different water sports preferences.

    Per HolidayCheck’s assessment, the Dominican Republic’s consistent, warm year-round climate, crystal-clear coastal waters, and reliably ideal wind and wave conditions are the key attributes that cement its reputation as a go-to location for water sports lovers from around the globe. These natural advantages create consistent conditions that suit both beginner enthusiasts and seasoned pros alike.

    Breaking down the strengths of each recommended location, Cabarete and its adjacent Kite Beach in the Puerto Plata region have earned top marks as world-class kitesurfing hubs, thanks to their steady trade winds that create perfect conditions for the sport. Further east in the popular tourist hub of Punta Cana, Playa Bávaro stands out as a top pick for snorkeling, with its shallow, calm reef waters teeming with diverse marine life.

    Near the town of Río San Juan, Playa Grande benefits from its direct exposure to the open ocean and consistent regular breezes, creating versatile conditions that support surfing, windsurfing, and kitesurfing all in one location. On the country’s southern coast, Boca Chica – which sits just 30 kilometers outside the capital city of Santo Domingo – has been highlighted as an ideal spot for jet skiing and other casual, recreational water activities that cater to day-trippers and casual visitors.

    Rounding out the list is Playa Rincón in the Samaná Peninsula, which offers a more low-key alternative for travelers who want to pair water sports with a peaceful, secluded beach experience. Tucked away amid unspoiled natural surroundings, the beach caters to visitors looking to avoid the crowds of more developed tourist spots while still accessing high-quality water sports opportunities.

  • US invests $245,000 to restore historic Fort Montagu and cannons

    US invests $245,000 to restore historic Fort Montagu and cannons

    A landmark cross-border cultural preservation effort is underway in The Bahamas, as the United States commits $245,000 to restore Fort Montagu — one of the Caribbean nation’s oldest remaining military installations — with targeted conservation work focused on the site’s corroded historic cannons.

    The funding comes from two U.S.-backed initiatives: the Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation and the Freedom 250 Initiative. U.S. Ambassador to The Bahamas Herschel Walker confirmed that this grant marks the second-largest U.S. investment in Bahamian cultural heritage protection to date, bringing total American support for such projects across the country to more than $750,000.

    Senior officials from both nations gathered at the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas this week to formally launch the restoration project, a step Walker framed as more than just a construction effort. “Fort Montagu has stood there for nearly three centuries,” Walker noted, emphasizing that conserving the fort means safeguarding a core chapter of the Bahamian national story. He added that the collaborative venture also serves as a powerful example of what shared commitment between the two neighboring countries can deliver.

    Completed in 1741, the coastal fort has faced decades of damage from its harsh seaside environment. Dr. Michael Pateman, executive chairman of The Bahamas’ Antiquities, Monuments and Museums Corporation, explained that the work will include critical repairs to the fort’s roof alongside urgent interventions for its 18th-century cannons. “Salt, moisture, and the coastal environment have caused serious corrosion,” Pateman said, adding that the cannons have reached a point where immediate action is required to stop irreversible damage.

    To address the corrosion, conservation specialists will use electrolytic reduction, a specialized technique designed to leach destructive chlorides and salt deposits out of the metal. According to Pateman, the full process is expected to take roughly 12 months, but it provides the most reliable path to preserving the cannons intact for future generations to study and experience.
    Leslia Miller-Brice, The Bahamas’ Minister of Culture, Arts and Heritage, highlighted that the project draws on professional expertise from three nations: The Bahamas, the United States, and the Dominican Republic. Beyond repairing the physical structure of the fort, Miller-Brice emphasized that the initiative is focused on protecting the collective history and national identity tied to the site.

    “Fort Montagu is still standing, and tonight, The Bahamas and the United States are connected once again through this historic site, not through conflict, but through friendship, collaboration, and a shared commitment to preservation,” Miller-Brice said. “We are preserving memory. We are preserving identity. We are preserving a place where history happened.”

    A core goal of the project, she added, is to make local history accessible to young Bahamians, pushing back against the idea that meaningful historical events only occurred in far-flung places covered in textbooks. “I want our young people, especially, to understand that history did not only happen in distant places in textbooks,” she said. “History happened here, on our shores, in this harbor, on Bahamian soil.”

  • INDEX opens 2026 “Footprints of My Quisqueya” short film contest

    INDEX opens 2026 “Footprints of My Quisqueya” short film contest

    The Institute of Dominicans Abroad (INDEX) has officially kicked off the fifth iteration of its beloved “Footprints of My Quisqueya” short film competition, opening a call for creatives across the global Dominican diaspora to share their unique perspectives and audiovisual work with the world. This long-running initiative is designed specifically to give Dominicans and their descendants living outside the Dominican Republic a dedicated platform to craft and showcase narratives that honor their relationship to their ancestral home. More than just a creative contest, it works to foster ongoing connection between diaspora communities and the cultural roots of the Dominican Republic, inviting creators to explore themes of identity, inherited tradition, lived experience abroad, and the enduring bonds that tie diaspora communities back to Quisqueya.

    Eligibility requirements are clearly defined for interested participants to streamline entry. All applicants must be 18 years of age or older, hold legal immigration status in their current country of residence, have resided outside the Dominican Republic for a minimum of one full year, and identify as either a Dominican citizen or a descendant of Dominican people. To accommodate a wide range of experience levels, the competition is split into two distinct tracks: one for amateur creators and one for professional independent filmmakers, allowing emerging and established talent alike to participate.

    Creators hoping to take part have an extended window to prepare and submit their work: all registration forms and required supporting materials must be submitted by 6:00 p.m. local Dominican Republic time on November 9, 2026. Full official rules, eligibility details, and step-by-step registration instructions are posted exclusively on INDEX’s official website, listed under the dedicated “Footprints of My Quisqueya” competition page.

    This year’s edition is backed by a strong coalition of domestic Dominican institutional and private partners. Leading national bank Banco BHD serves as the competition’s primary sponsor, with additional strategic support from the General Directorate of Cinema (DGCINE), the largest regional theater chain Caribbean Cinemas, and a panel of contributing representatives from across the Dominican domestic film industry. Drawing on the success of previous competitions, which drew international entries from diaspora communities across the globe, the fifth edition continues the initiative’s core mission: strengthening cross-border cultural ties between the Dominican Republic and its far-flung global diaspora through the power of visual storytelling.

  • School administrators set to receive promotion letters

    School administrators set to receive promotion letters

    After years of unmet promises and a rare show of labor unrest that disrupted the start of the academic year, a breakthrough has emerged for hundreds of senior school administrators in the Bahamas waiting for career advancement. The Bahamas Educators Managerial Union (BEMU) confirmed this week that long-overdue promotion notification documents have been formally handed over to the Ministry of Education, clearing the way for distribution to eligible staff.

    BEMU President Stephen McPhee told reporters on Wednesday that some affected union members have been stuck in stalled promotion processes dating all the way back to 2016. That backlog of unaddressed advancement issues stood as one of the core grievances that pushed more than 90 percent of the nation’s school administrators to join organized industrial action on September 2, a move that sent roughly 40,000 students home early on the first week of the new school term.

    According to McPhee, the promotion letters arrived at the Ministry of Education on Monday, and ministry staff are currently preparing the documents to send out to the eligible administrators. This step forward comes after a series of tripartite meetings between BEMU representatives, the national Labour Relations Unit, and Ministry of Education officials, held to resolve the full slate of union concerns beyond just promotions. Those other outstanding issues include unfilled administrative vacancies across the country’s public school system, an expired industrial agreement governing union member working conditions, and multiple other unresolved workplace matters.

    McPhee noted that formal negotiations for a new collective industrial agreement have already gotten underway, and negotiators have made measurable progress updating policies related to staffing levels, working conditions, and the formal rights of BEMU members. Still, the BEMU president struck a cautious note, emphasizing that critical financial components of the new agreement remain on the table with no final resolution reached to date.

    “BEMU will continue to advocate strongly for a financial package that properly recognises the responsibilities and value of our members as leaders in education,” McPhee said, adding that the union is now entering what he called the most critical phase of negotiations around financial terms. Union leadership hopes to see all outstanding financial matters resolved before the end of the current week.

    The promotion dispute was explicitly named by McPhee as one of the driving forces behind the September 2 industrial action. The backlog affects three separate groups of school leaders: administrators connected to a 2021 Supreme Court filing over delayed promotions, staff who completed all requirements for advancement as early as 2018, and eligible members who applied for promotion last year but have not yet received a decision or placement. The group waiting for notification includes senior education leaders across all levels of the public system: principals, vice principals, district superintendents, and assistant directors of education, all of whom are also waiting for the corresponding salary increases that come with their new roles.

    The industrial action prompted the Minister of Education and the Attorney General to file an urgent court request for an injunction, which was granted by Justice Darron Ellis shortly after the work stoppage. The court order prohibits BEMU, its leadership, and its members from organizing or participating in any future strike or industrial action, and requires all Ministry of Education-employed staff to report to their assigned workplaces during scheduled hours. It also restricts unapproved sick leave, requiring a valid medical certificate for any absence, and bans union representatives and members from pressuring, intimidating, or encouraging other staff to skip work.

    As negotiations continue through the critical financial phase, McPhee urged BEMU members to maintain solidarity throughout the process. “To our members, I say, remain encouraged, remain unified, and remain vigilant,” he said. “Success is being achieved, and your union continues to work for you.”

  • Abaco residents warned over possible python sighting

    Abaco residents warned over possible python sighting

    Residents of Abaco are now facing a new potential ecological threat, prompting local authorities to issue an urgent warning: keep distance from any large, unidentified snakes and immediately report any suspected sightings of Burmese pythons as investigations into the invasive species’ possible presence on the island get underway. The Bahamas’ Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources confirmed on Wednesday that it received a public report of a large snake in Abaco that witnesses believe to be a Burmese python, and the agency is treating the developing situation with extreme urgency. Officials warn that if this large non-native snake becomes established on Abaco, it could wreak havoc on local native wildlife, commercial agricultural operations and the island’s entire fragile natural ecosystem. At this early stage of the investigation, two core questions remain unanswered: first, whether the reported snake is confirmed to be a Burmese python, and second, whether the individual sighting points to an isolated released or escaped pet, or the first evidence of a reproducing wild population. To help investigators answer these questions quickly and accurately, local officials have put out a broad call for public participation. Any resident who spots a suspected Burmese python is asked to report the sighting immediately, sharing the exact location and time of the encounter with authorities. For those who are able to do so safely, officials also request clear photographs or video footage of the animal to speed up the identification and risk assessment process. In the event that a resident has already killed or captured a suspected Burmese python, authorities are asking that the specimen be kept as intact as possible. This allows scientists to conduct a full examination, determine the snake’s sex, collect critical biological samples, and gather data that will help reveal whether the sighting is an isolated incident or proof that a wild population is already established. Burmese pythons, one of the largest snake species on the planet, are non-venomous constrictors native to regions of South and Southeast Asia. Unlike venomous snakes that subdue prey with toxins, these large reptiles kill their food by tightening their coils around prey to cut off breathing, then swallow the entire animal whole. Most mature adult Burmese pythons measure between 10 and 16 feet in length, though the largest recorded specimens have grown past 18 feet. Highly adaptable, Burmese pythons thrive in a wide range of habitats including wetlands, swamps, grasslands and forested areas, and they are surprisingly powerful swimmers that can travel long distances across open water. Their diet consists of a wide range of native species, including small to medium mammals, birds and reptiles. Combined with their large size, extreme adaptability to new environments, and high reproductive rate, these traits have made them one of the most damaging invasive species in regions where they have been introduced outside their native range. A single female Burmese python can lay up to 100 eggs in a single clutch, a reproductive rate that means a small founding breeding population could explode into a large, established wild population very quickly. This high reproductive potential is one of the key factors driving authorities’ urgent response to the unconfirmed sighting. The Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources says it will continue ongoing monitoring of the situation and release updated public information as more details become available. Residents can report any suspected sightings directly to Agriculture Officer Josefina Adderley-Curry at the contact number 376-5069.

  • Georges backs call for English lessons

    Georges backs call for English lessons

    A leading immigration rights advocate in The Bahamas has thrown his support behind calls for mandatory pre-enrollment English language training for students entering the public school system who lack proficiency in the language, arguing that immediate placement in English-only classrooms creates unnecessary barriers for both learners and educators.

    Louby Georges, a prominent voice on immigration and migrant rights issues, made his position public in an interview with The Tribune, days after Bahamas Union of Teachers President Belinda Wilson reignited debate over growing language gaps in Bahamian public classrooms. Wilson recently raised urgent concerns that many teachers are now managing large cohorts of Creole-speaking students who are unable to communicate effectively in English, the primary language of instruction in Bahamian schools. To address this challenge, Wilson proposed that parents arrange private English lessons for non-proficient children before enrollment, and called on the Ministry of Education to enforce basic English proficiency requirements for all new public school entrants.

    Contrary to interpretations that framed Wilson’s proposal as an exclusionary tactic targeting Haitian and other foreign-born migrant children, Georges rejected that reading, emphasizing that the policy’s core goal is to set up students for long-term success rather than block access to education. “I didn’t take the statement as one that is trying to exclude Haitian children or any other foreign children,” Georges explained. “It’s about preparing them to succeed because, at the end of the day, it’s all about the well-being of the children and putting them in the best possible position to excel.”

    Georges went on to outline the practical downsides of placing students with no foundational English into mainstream English classrooms. He questioned how any student can meaningfully engage with coursework or retain lessons when they cannot understand the language instruction being delivered. Beyond putting the non-native student at an academic disadvantage, he added, this scenario also places unfair extra strain on already busy classroom teachers who are not trained or resourced to deliver concurrent language support to large numbers of beginner learners.

    The activist also agreed with Wilson that parents hold primary responsibility for ensuring their children meet basic English proficiency standards before enrollment. He noted that many Haitian residents living in The Bahamas on valid work permits already follow this practice, enrolling their children in pre-enrollment English programs that are often accredited by the Ministry of Education itself. However, Georges acknowledged that systemic barriers limit access to these programs for many low-income migrant families: not only are there too few such institutions across the country, but they also often serve only Haitian Creole speakers, leaving non-native speakers of other languages like Spanish and Filipino without targeted support.

    To expand access to affordable pre-enrollment training, Georges put forward two key proposals. First, he suggested that local Haitian community institutions – including the Embassy of the Republic of Haiti and the Haitian League of Churches – could partner to develop low-cost basic English programs for both children and adult migrant learners who need foundational skills. Second, he highlighted that bilingual Bahamians of Haitian descent, who are fluent in both English and Creole, represent an underutilized resource for language support. He proposed creating streamlined certification pathways for these bilingual community members to qualify as specialized English language instructors, expanding the pool of qualified support available to schools and pre-enrollment programs.

    Georges stressed that his support for pre-enrollment language training does not mean he backs barring non-proficient children from accessing public education while new training programs are developed. He clarified that all children legally residing in The Bahamas have a right to attend school, and he does not expect public schools to halt enrollment of these students in the interim.

  • Evans: Retirement rules fuel judicial brain drain

    Evans: Retirement rules fuel judicial brain drain

    In a historic moment for The Bahamas’ judicial system, the Court of Appeal has convened proceedings in Grand Bahama for the first time in 16 years, bringing top judicial leaders face-to-face with local communities and opening the door to long-awaited reforms to expand access to justice. During the two-day sitting held September 9 and 10, Court of Appeal President Justice Milton Evans used the occasion to raise a urgent, long-simmering concern: the country’s mandatory judicial retirement rules are actively draining the judiciary of its most experienced legal minds, creating a harmful brain drain that erodes institutional knowledge.

    Justice Evans explained that judicial expertise is not built overnight – it takes years of hands-on experience hearing cases, interpreting law, and refining decision-making for judges to reach the peak of their professional capabilities. Yet under current Bahamian constitutional rules, judges are forced to step down just as they hit this stride, and many go on to offer their hard-won expertise to judicial systems in other countries that allow jurists to serve longer tenures. He pointed to high-profile examples of retired Bahamian judges Dame Anita Allen and Justice Neville Adderley, who have both gone on to serve on benches in other jurisdictions after being forced to retire at home.

    The current constitutional framework sets a mandatory retirement age of 65 for Supreme Court justices, with a maximum extension to 67 granted only through rare approval by the Governor-General following consultation between the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition. For Court of Appeal justices, the ordinary retirement age is 68, with a maximum extension to 70. A 2002 constitutional referendum that would have raised these limits – boosting the normal retirement age for Supreme Court justices to 68 (with extensions to 72) and for Court of Appeal justices to 72 (with extensions to 75) – was resoundingly defeated by voters, with 71 percent rejecting the measure.

    Beyond the retirement debate, the Grand Bahama sitting itself marked a major milestone in the judiciary’s push to expand public access to justice. For decades, appellate proceedings have been held exclusively in New Providence, forcing Freeport residents, defendants’ families, and other stakeholders to travel long distances to observe cases. This two-day session, which heard two criminal matters involving local Freeport residents, was designed to change that: it gave community members direct access to watch the appellate court at work, correcting misinformation that often circulates when the public only learns about court proceedings through secondhand accounts.

    “Justice must not only be done, but must be seen to be done,” said Justice Gregory Smith, one of the participating panel members. Smith noted that while virtual hearing technology, widely adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic, has proven effective for remote participation, it cannot replace the value of in-person sittings that bring the judiciary directly to local communities. Chief Justice Ian Winder echoed this commitment, framing the Grand Bahama session as part of a broader national initiative to expand meaningful access to justice across all of The Bahamas’ Family Islands. Grand Bahama already benefits from a fully established local court infrastructure with three Supreme Court justices, four magistrates, and three registrars, and the judicial branch is now moving forward to build out new court facilities in Eleuthera to cut down on the need for local residents to travel to New Providence for court business. Virtual proceedings will remain a core tool for remote participation in cases that cannot be heard locally.

    The visit also brought progress on another longstanding public concern: inconsistent sentencing. Chief Justice Winder acknowledged ongoing public debate over perceived inconsistencies in punishments for similar offences, with some arguing sentences are too harsh and others saying they are too lenient. In response, the judiciary has developed its first-ever formal set of sentencing guidelines in consultation with prosecutors, the legal profession, social services, and other key stakeholders. The guidelines outline clear sentencing ranges and identify standard aggravating and mitigating factors for judges to consider. While they have not yet been implemented, once introduced judges will be required to adhere to the guidelines and provide explicit, strong justifications for any departure from the recommended ranges.

    Despite the progress, Justice Evans cautioned that regular appellate sittings in Grand Bahama remain out of reach for now due to resource and logistical constraints. The Court of Appeal only has six sitting members, so bringing the full panel to Grand Bahama requires pausing all appellate proceedings in Nassau. In the longer term, the judiciary aims to find a solution that allows proceedings to run simultaneously in both locations, but that will require additional funding and revised operational arrangements. He also shared an update on the court’s backlog, noting that the panel is currently processing cases filed in 2026, with only four outstanding judgments remaining as of the start of the Grand Bahama sitting, one of which was already finalized and pending delivery.

  • ‘We still don’t have answers’

    ‘We still don’t have answers’

    Three full months have passed since 56-year-old veteran primary school teacher Jillian Pinder was killed in a brutal abduction and stabbing attack, yet no suspects have been arrested or charged in her death. For the first time since the tragedy, Pinder’s family has broken their public silence, sharing their overwhelming heartbreak and growing frustration over the lack of progress in the case, even as law enforcement confirms the investigation remains open.

    Pinder, a mother of two who taught at TG Glover Primary School, was attacked on June 4 at her residence in Lake Cunningham. According to official accounts, two male assailants held her at knifepoint, claiming a person close to Pinder owed them $4,000, before forcing her into her vehicle and abducting her to an undisclosed location. The attackers stabbed Pinder in the throat and abandoned her injured inside her car in the Wulff Road area.

    In an act of extraordinary resilience despite her life-threatening injury, Pinder managed to drive her vehicle to collide with another car, alerting the other occupants who immediately came to her aid. She was rushed to a local hospital and admitted to the intensive care unit, and after initial treatment, she was discharged. Pinder was later readmitted for complications, and she succumbed to her injuries on July 13. Her funeral was held in early August.

    Anna Capron, Pinder’s niece, told local outlet The Tribune that the entire family held out hope for her full recovery in the weeks between the attack and her death. “Nobody in our family was looking at those weeks thinking that we were watching the final chapter of her life,” Capron shared. After Pinder’s initial discharge, the family had made plans for her to heal at home, expecting she would gradually regain her strength and return to daily life. “There were conversations about her healing pretty quickly, being around family, and trying her best to move forward. And then everything changed,” she said. Before she passed, Pinder asked Capron to share a final message of gratitude with the entire family.

    Law enforcement officials confirmed this week that no new updates are available to release in the case. “The investigation is still ongoing, and the family has been in constant communication with officers,” Chief Superintendent Sheria King, police press liaison officer, told The Tribune.

    For Pinder’s loved ones, each passing day without an arrest or charges brings fresh pain and unanswered questions. Capron said the family lives daily with the staggering weight of knowing someone took Pinder’s life, yet no one has been held accountable. “There is a tremendous amount of frustration and heartbreak that comes with that,” she said. “Every day that passes without an arrest or charges is another day that her family has to live with unanswered questions.”

    The family has worked to honor Pinder’s memory by holding onto the small, warm details of her life that made her irreplaceable to them. Her children often recall her habit of taking photos with them, even during quick, routine trips out of the house. Relatives grieve the loss of her easy laugh, her sense of humor, and her steady presence in their lives.

    “Jill wasn’t just a victim in a news story,” Capron emphasized. “She was a mother, an aunt, a sister, a friend, a teacher, and someone who was deeply loved by her family and community.”

    Capron made clear the family’s decision to speak out publicly is not a quest for media attention, but a push to keep searching for the justice they need. “For us, this isn’t a headline that’s going to disappear when the next story comes along. This is our family. This is our loved one,” she said. She issued an urgent appeal to any member of the public with information related to the attack or the attackers to contact authorities, and confirmed the family will not stop speaking out until they get the answers they are desperate for. “We’re going to continue asking questions, continuing to speak her name, and continuing to ask for justice until there are answers,” she said.

  • Humano Seguros launches scholarship program for high-potential youth

    Humano Seguros launches scholarship program for high-potential youth

    In a major step to invest in the Dominican Republic’s next generation of talented young people, leading domestic insurance provider Humano Seguros has announced the launch of a groundbreaking comprehensive scholarship initiative called “Excelencia Humano.” The program is specifically tailored to support emerging youth who demonstrate outstanding academic performance, natural leadership ability, and a proven dedication to advancing social development across the country.

    In its opening phase, the initiative will award 20 full-encompassing scholarships in partnership with five of the nation’s top higher education institutions: Instituto Tecnológico de Santo Domingo (INTEC), Universidad Apec (UNAPEC), Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra (PUCMM), Universidad Iberoamericana (UNIBE), and Universidad Nacional Pedro Henríquez Ureña (UNPHU). All five participating universities are members of the National University Network for Development (RUNED), a collaborative network focused on aligning higher education with national growth priorities.

    Unlike traditional scholarship programs that only offer tuition assistance, Excelencia Humano delivers a holistic support ecosystem for its recipients. Beyond covering core academic costs for undergraduate studies, the initiative provides tailored one-on-one professional mentorship from industry leaders, guaranteed hands-on internship placements, access to exclusive academic enrichment opportunities, and invitations to contribute to high-impact special projects. Beneficiaries also receive priority consideration for open full-time positions at Humano Seguros after they complete their degrees.

    Eduardo Cruz, president of Humano Seguros, framed the launch as a long-term investment in the nation’s future. “Education stands as one of the most transformative forces we can invest in to shift society toward greater equity and prosperity,” Cruz explained. “For our company, this program is more than a corporate social responsibility project—it is a commitment to unlocking the potential of young people who will go on to lead our country forward.”

    The first cohort of scholarship recipients will be selected from students pursuing degrees aligned with the Dominican Republic’s core economic, technological, and business growth priorities. Eligible majors in the opening round include Economics, Actuarial Science, Mathematics, Statistics, Systems Engineering, Computer Science, Telematics, Data Science, Industrial Engineering, Accounting, and Finance. Over time, the program will expand to cover four broad pillars aligned with national development needs: STEAM and Sustainable Development, Health, Business, and Social Sciences, creating pathways for students across a wide range of in-demand fields.

    Carlos Mitnik, executive vice president and general manager of Humano Seguros, emphasized the program’s focus on bridging the gap between academic learning and real-world work. “We designed this initiative to help students connect the theoretical knowledge they gain in the classroom to the practical professional challenges they will face in their careers,” Mitnik said. “At the same time, we know we have just as much to learn from the fresh perspectives and innovative thinking that young talent brings to the table.”

    Diomares Musa, Humano Seguros’ vice president of Market, Product and Channel Development, added that the program addresses a growing need in the nation’s evolving labor market. “As industries across the country shift rapidly, we need a new generation of skilled, adaptable leaders who can keep the Dominican Republic competitive,” Musa noted. “Excelencia Humano was built to promote a culture of academic excellence and ethical leadership, while preparing emerging professionals to thrive in this fast-changing landscape.”

    Overall, the program anchors Humano Seguros’ longstanding commitment to advancing education, excellence, and inclusive social development across the Dominican Republic. By investing in young people who already show the potential to excel academically and lift their communities, the company aims to create a ripple effect of positive change that extends far beyond individual beneficiaries.

    As a member of Grupo Humano, Humano Seguros holds a leading position in the Dominican insurance market: it ranks first in the nation’s health insurance segment and third across all insurance categories. The company offers a diverse portfolio of coverage, including local and international health plans, life insurance, automobile insurance, and property insurance. For additional information about the Excelencia Humano program and application processes, visit the company’s official website at www.humanoseguros.com.