(PHOTOS) Prime Minister Ingraham Attends Official Opening of COB Northern Campus, Freeport

 The newly opened College of the Bahamas, Northern Campus image Lyndah wells

Freeport, Grand Bahama Island, The Bahamas -
Six years after ground was broken for the construction of the College of The Bahamas' Northern Campus, the facility was officially opened yesterday by Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham.

The new campus on the Grand Bahama Highway replaced the former campus on West Settler's Way, which was opened in 1986 with 200 students enrolled. Over the years, it had come to exceed its capacity, and was accommodating a student body of 600.

The first day of classes at the new campus was in January of this year.

The 40,000 square foot, two-story double structure, built on land donated by the Grand Bahama Port Authority, presently houses 18 classrooms, science, computer and language labs, a library, offices and a bookstore.

Chairman of the College of The Bahamas Council Baswell Donaldson, in his remarks, noted that the campus as it stands today represents just the first part of a multi-phased project that by its final phase will be a fully residential campus community.

"Phase III will be a complex much like this one, with new academic, administrative and laboratory spaces, which will stand just opposite this one. We expect in this coming academic year to complete the final design for the complex and to begin initial site preparation work," he said.

"We also expect in that time frame, to finalize development of our bachelor degree program in maritime studies, including marine environmental sciences, which will be a signature offering for this campus."

The new campus, he said, represents the foundation of a college town similar to those in other parts of the world, which will foster enhanced economic opportunities and drive growth in the surrounding areas. "There's no doubt that there are special opportunities in meeting the operational, and general resource and support needs required to sustain a growing college community of consumers, students and staff alike," he said.

COB President Dr. Betsy Boze said the new campus is the catalyst for growth, both in the facility itself and in the surrounding community.

"Future phases will include a comprehensive, all-encompassing college experience with a mix of academic, social and economic activities, including housing for students and faculty, enabling Grand Bahama to recruit students and scholars from around the country and around the world," she said.

"When the college decided to build here, we did so with the long term vision to significantly enhance access to a college education for all Bahamians."

During his address, Ingraham noted that the local campus provides students from Grand Bahama, Bimini and Abaco an affordable alternative to travelling to Nassau or abroad to attend college.

The campus will facilitate the Institute for Educational Leadership which plays an important role in the professional development of public school administrators, he noted. Forty educators have already graduated from that program in Grand Bahama.

"The exploits of this northern campus will not stop here. It is significant to note that a flagship program of this campus will be in the area of maritime studies with this site hosting The College of The Bahamas Institute of Maritime Studies," Ingraham said.

"This, of course, is a natural fit for both The Bahamas generally, as a world-renowned international maritime centre with one of the largest ship registries in the world, and Grand Bahama, in particular, as a major world centre for ship repair and container transshipment."

Ingraham said COB officials have already collaborated with several international institutions, including the State University of New York and Holland College about maritime studies programs.

Both of those institutions have the certification of the International Maritime Organization, he added, and both are prepared to offer their programs and allow their faculty to teach in Grand Bahama as well as host COB students on their respective campuses.

"This kind of quality collaboration will encourage students hopefully from North America to consider The Bahamas as a viable choice for pursuing studies in maritime science," he said.

"The presence of Ross University Medical School, here in Grand Bahama, offering medical studies for students from the United States of America, and the emerging opportunity we have to make this Grand Bahama campus a centre for maritime studies, demonstrates the potential for Grand Bahama to develop a major offshore education sector, creating significant opportunities for employment, in-come generation, business development and additional study opportunities for Bahamians."

Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Hubert Ingraham delivers the keynote address at the official opening of the College of The Bahamas' Northern Campus, Freeport on Thursday, May 12, 2011. (BIS Photo/Sharon Turner)

 

UTEB and NCTU President Jennifer Isaacs Dotson shares a lighthearted moment with Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. Hubert Ingraham, at the official opening of the College of The Bahamas' Northern Campus, Freeport on Thursday, May 12, 2011. (BIS Photo/Sharon Turner)

 

Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Hubert Ingraham is given a campus tour by COB Associate Vice President, Northern Campus Dr. Kelley Duncanson (far right), following the official opening of the College of The Bahamas' Northern Campus,

Opening of New College of The Bahamas Northern Bahamas Campus‏

By The College Of The Bahamas Office of Communication

Nassau, Bahamas - The College of The Bahamas wishes to notify its students and the public of the opening of the new Northern Bahamas Campus in East, Grand Bahama on Monday January 10th, 2011.

Advisement and registration for new students will begin at the new campus with the exception of those enrolled in Culinary & Hospitality Management Institute [CHMI] and Centre for Continuing Education & Extension Services [CEES] programmes who will continue to be accommodated at the existing Freeport campus.

Advisement and registration for returning students will begin on Tuesday, January 11th, 2011 and extend until Wednesday, January 12th, 2011. Persons with further enquiries may contact The College of The Bahamas for more information at 352-9761.

New COB campus set to finally open in January

After months of delay, the College of The Bahamas announced yesterday that it will open its new campus in Grand Bahama on January 10, 2011, which is the scheduled start date for the spring semester.
Up to yesterday, some students were expressing frustration at what they say has been a lack of communication from officials on whether or not the new campus will be opened for the new semester.
However, in a press release issued by the institution yesterday, students are being advised to report to the new campus for classes beginning in January.
All degree programs, with the exception of the Culinary and Hospitality Management Institute (CHMI) programs, will be moving to the new building on Grand Bahama Highway.
CHMI courses, as well as Continuing Education and Extension Services (CEES) will remain at the current campus site, for the time being.

The campus was originally supposed to be open in time for the Fall 2010 semester, but although the building itself had been completed, officials said the landscaping had not met the Grand Bahama Port Authority's (GBPA) standards for the procurement of an occupancy certificate.

Days later, associate vice president Dr. Kelly Duncan-son told reporters that the GBPA should not be blamed for the delay in moving, since the decision was made internally.

In the COB statement, students who have not yet registered were advised that during the week of January 4, 2011, all advisement, registration and related students services will be carried out at the current campus site, as normal.

"These services will not be available at the new site until the start of classes on January 10," the statement continued.

It was also noted that the installation of furniture and equipment at the new campus is near completion, and information technology and other communication services are being tested and are expected to be up and running for the semester's start.

"Students should expect a further update regarding the provision of other ancillary services in the days prior to the start of the semester," the statement read.

Back in July, COB students had expressed concerns about the new campus, with College of The Bahama Union of Students president Romal Russell saying he believed there would be some challenges.

The remote location could provide issues for transportation for some students, he said, while maintaining in-volvement in student activities could prove to be more difficult.

Russell said there were many amenities that had not been in place in phase one of the relocation including a cafeteria, a student activity centre and an adequate library.

Russell said overall, however, he believes the new campus is necessary.

"I believe with the college undertaking the move from College to University status, that also is necessary and in fact, long overdue," he said.

"Not only will more students have more pride in the college institution they attend, but now we will have more capacity. Hopefully the institution will attract more Bahamian students locally, from other Family Islands and maybe even from Nassau."

BFSB seeking top graduate

THE Bahamas Financial Services Board (BFSB) is looking to recognise an outstanding 2010 graduate from within the School of Business, College of the Bahamas (COB).

This initiative is a joint venture of BFSB, COB and the Central Bank of the Bahamas, in collaboration with the Professional Industry Association Working Group (PIAWG) - a representative body for the various financial services industry-related associations in the Bahamas.

The criterion for initial selection is based on academic performance as demonstrated by GPA. Additional criteria include COB and community involvement, special interests, further education, and work/other experience.

The Selection Committee last week completed interviews with the finalists, who will be announced shortly. The final phase of the judging process includes the interviews and a written submission from each candidate.

The 2010 Student of the Year will be recognised at BFSB's Annual Industry Excellence Awards Ceremony on October 21. The Student Award programme is an integral component of BFSB's ongoing Financial Centre Focus (FCF) programme that addresses issues such as challenges impacting the sustained growth and development of the industry; improvements to the level of service; and attracting and maintaining qualified professionals.

This year, the sward is jointly sponsored by Societe Generale Private Banking (Bahamas). SG Private Banking has been a consistent co-sponsor of the student award since 2004. The Colina Group of Companies also supported the award as a co-sponsor in 2004 and 2005 under Colina Investment Advisors, and under CFAL as a cooperating partner in the ensuing years.