The College of The Bahamas (COB) recently hosted a *“transformational project launch”* ceremony. This project is the refocusing and reframing of the COB as the University of The Bahamas, and is well underway.
Speaking at the launch, the Rt. Hon. Perry G. Christie said a strengthened and improved tertiary institution is at the heart of his administration’s plans to improve some of the nation’s persistent issues. Over the next four months, a systematic and cosmetic overhaul of the nation’s premier tertiary institute will take place, shifting COB into the “nucleus” of Bahamian development. These improvements will have lasting impressions on the country, he said, noted that over his 40 years in public life he has seen many examples of strong universities being the driving force in developing the societies surrounding them.
COB Dr. Rodney Smith has reported that a draft University of The Bahamas Bill is being circulated for input, discussion and feedback to faculty, staff, students, alumni and the College of The Bahamas Council. A significant feature is the replacement of the current Academic Board with the Faculty Senate which will usher in a new academic culture of “shared governance” at the university. The Senate will comprise all members of faculty and will provide oversight over the entire curriculum and all matters pertaining to standards and academic quality of the institution.
Ongoing work at the college includes the construction of the Franklyn R. Wilson Graduate Centre; the construction of additional buildings on campus including the expanded GTR Campbell Small Island Sustainability Research Center; and the first on-campus residence hall. Renovations to the Portia M. Smith Building are expected to start soon and additional new infrastructure development projects are to be announced at a later date.