Northumbria welcomes High Commissioner for the Bahamas.

The High Commissioner for the Bahamas, Paul Andrew Gomez, has visited Northumbria University to discuss unlocking opportunities for Bahamian students to come and study at the University.

The visit to Northumbria was part of a wider trip to Newcastle, with Mr Gomez and his team spending some time with Trinity Chambers, one of the leading sets of barristers’ chambers in the North of Engand, earlier that day.

The Bahamas is one of a small number of countries that follows the English legal system and so students can complete their Bar qualification in the UK and then practice in the Bahamas.

Northumbria has a close relationship with Trinity Chambers; with a number of Northumbria Law School’s staff also practising barristers with Trinity.

While there was a strong focus on law during Mr Gomez’ visit, the High Commissioner was also interested in discovering more about the University’s formal partnership with a fellow Caribbean island - St George’s University, in Grenada – a partnership that delivers medical education to students worldwide.

Mr Gomez met with Bahamian law student, Amber Mingo, as well as speaking with wider staff in Northumbria’s Law School, to further the discussions around potential collaborative activities. The High Commissioner also met with Professor Andy Long, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of Northumbria University.

“We were delighted to welcome the High Commissioner for the Bahamas to Northumbria, and to highlight the exceptional work of the University’s Law School,” said Professor Long. “We have an international reputation for excellence in legal education, enriched by the research quality and professional practice expertise of our staff.

“We would like to welcome more students from the Bahamas to Northumbria, providing them with an outstanding educational experience that ensures they are equipped with the tools they need to succeed, anywhere in the world.”

Paul Andrew Gomez has held the role of High Commissioner for the Bahamas since April 2023. Prior to that, he served as Ambassador to China (2015 to 2017) and has served as Managing Director of world-leading chartered accountants, Grant Thornton.

Mr Gomez said: “Our visit to Northumbria University was really beyond our expectation,” said Mr Gomez. “Vice Chancellor, Professor Andy Long, discussed the positioning of the University to address the unfolding global challenges of artificial intelligence (AI), climate change and others, in a way that propels the University to continued success.

“The visit to the Law School took our trip to yet another level, and Professor Michael Stockdale gave our group a royal reception. The round table discussion with law students working on research to provide legal aid to the community, was uniquely positive and enriching.

“Our overall visit to Newcastle was excellent, and the High Commission clearly identified areas of potential collaboration, and synergies with The Bahamas, going forward.”

Head of Trinity Chambers, Toby Hedworth K.C. added: "It was both an honour and a pleasure to welcome the High Commissioner for The Bahamas to Trinity Chambers. His visit to The Custom House was an opportunity for us to discuss the great opportunities that can be provided to students from The Bahamas for vocational training in conjunction with our local universities, which have international reputations for the quality of their courses. The international legal world is shrinking, providing wonderful opportunities for those able to have achieved the best of qualifications."