University of The Bahamas Commences 50th Anniversary Celebrations
30th January 2024
Nassau, BAHAMAS – Even in its infancy as an independent nation, The Bahamas was creating a path for greatness with the former College of The Bahamas (COB) at the centre of developing the national capacity to flourish. Affirming that University of The Bahamas (UB) will remain pivotal to national development, Prime Minister the Hon. Philip Davis said on Monday, 29th January that UB has an essential role in creating a fairer and more prosperous society and that education is a key economic driver and tool for social change.
Prime Minister Davis delivered the keynote address at the formal launch ceremony for UB’s 50th anniversary celebrations held at the Oakes Field Campus. The institution is commemorating 50 continuous years in operation since its founding as COB in 1974 and has scheduled celebratory events for the rest of the year.
“We have a lot that we must accomplish over the next few years, and there is no way we can successfully move forward as a nation without the direct inclusion and strategic integration of our University,” said Prime Minister Davis during the ceremony held in the Harry C. Moore Library and Information Centre and live streamed to many others who connected online.
The prime minister added that while not everyone is destined for university, everyone can benefit from the contributions that the university makes to society.
“There is an inherent understanding of the importance of UB to our nation and the extent to which UB makes its contributions with the highest degree of professionalism,” he said. “Your stellar reputation was 50 years in the making. It has been built by a passionate student body and an equally passionate group of professors, administrative staff, support and operational staff, and leaders who have made the University of The Bahamas what it is today. In recognising the importance of UB, we must also uphold our obligation to support UB in the achievement of its mission. Because when UB succeeds, our nation succeeds.
Governor General the Most Hon. Cynthia Pratt – who worked at COB during its formative years – was among the various dignitaries who attended the ceremony including Minister of Education the Hon. Glenys Hanna-Martin, former Prime Minister the Most Hon. Dr. Hubert Minnis; leader of the Opposition Hon. Michael Pintard, a UB alumnus, and current and former members of the College Council and Board of Trustees. Faculty, staff and students also attended the ceremony.
COB, and now UB, was created in 1974 through an act of parliament which amalgamated existing higher education institutions, namely the Bahamas Teacher’s College, San Salvador Teacher’s College, the CR Walker Technical College, and the Sixth Form Programme of the Government High School. Since then, through its mission of supporting and driving national development, the institution has made an enduring impact in the public and private sector and especially in business, science, arts, and community-building.
Chair of UB’s Board of Trustees, Mrs. Allyson Maynard-Gibson, K.C., noted that while UB’s jubilee year is a momentous one, UB’s faculty, staff, students, alumni, and supporters are committed to propelling the institution to even higher heights.
“We’re not resting on our laurels,” said Mrs. Maynard-Gibson. “We all agree that there’s still much land to be possessed. We stand on the strong legacy fueled by the indomitable spirit that enables us to achieve anything to which we put our minds.
“UB’s next step of national and international accreditation will be a validation to this nation and the world of among other things, the extraordinary competence of our graduates and our faculty, the renown of our degrees, the robustness of our research, the life-changing thoughts of our students, national and international experiences, and excellence of the services that undergird all that we deliver.”
UB President (Acting) Janyne Hodder, whose career has its roots in the Bahamas Teachers College, and who also served as president of COB from 2006 to 2010, expressed pride in how far the institution has come.
“As someone who remembers our earliest days, I recall rushing to write new curricula, teaching in classrooms without air conditioning, washing the ink stains from the mimeograph machine from my hands, competing with colleagues for the limited card stock with which to make visual aids for my class,” said President Hodder. “Through it all, I found purpose here, as did my colleagues and my students. We complained at times when the roof leaked or the power went out. And sometimes, we still do. But we never stopped believing in our purpose and we still do.”
She hailed the contributions of those who came before her and said the work that continues builds on that foundation for the benefit of those who will come after.
UB’s jubilee celebrations are being held under the theme, “50 Years of Knowledge, Truth, Integrity”.
Office of University Relations
University of The Bahamas
2nd Floor, Michael H. Eldon Complex
University Drive, Oakes Field Campus
P.O. Box N-4912
Nassau, The Bahamas
Tel: (242) 302-4355/4354/4365