The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

UNIVERSITY of The Bahamas-North has made one more step toward greater autonomy with the elevation of Dr Ian Strachan to the office of campus president, the institution said in a press release.

It was noted that the change in Dr Strachan’s title from vice president “is part of a broader set of planned change intended to allow the campus to operate more independently and efficiently.” He has led the northern campus since August 1, 2017.

“The ultimate goal is for UB-North to take its place alongside the Oakes Field campus as a sister institution in a national University of The Bahamas System,” the statement said.

“On 10th November 2016, during the inauguration ceremony that saw the College of The Bahamas become the University of The Bahamas, president Dr Rodney Smith reminded the audience that he viewed the transition to university status as a ‘race to the starting line’ and the ‘beginning of the next phase of evolution.’ When that evolution is complete, there will be campuses across the archipelago that have autonomy but are regulated by a central university system office and governed by a central board of trustees.

“Each campus will have its own campus president and its own unique centres of excellence and signature programmes. State university systems in the United States have a similar model. In keeping with this goal, UB’s Strategic Plan 2019-2024 was published in two sections, one for the Nassau campus and one for the Freeport campus.”

For his part, Dr Strachan said: “I am honoured to have served as leader of this campus, particularly through such trying times. Hurricane Dorian and COVID-19 have caused major delays in our plans, but I believe we will look back and see that the crises we faced have also been pivotal in revealing even better opportunities for UB-North. It is good to know that going forward, leaders of this campus will be presidents, not vice presidents.

“We invite our stakeholders to observe and hold us accountable for bringing about the changes we have committed to in our strategic plan. The changes will take time; they will not happen overnight,” the campus leader said. “But in the end, UB-North will be empowered to grow and take advantage of the unique opportunities this part of the country affords.”

He said there will be creation of a special committee of the board of trustees to address UB-North’s rebuild and the establishment of separate bank accounts for the campus.

“We will be better able to serve our communities, which really is what motivated the university to establish a satellite campus here back in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s. You cannot grow this campus to its full potential from Nassau. To his lasting credit, Dr Smith has been committed to this process from day one. And my colleagues in the administrative council are supporting this agenda, for which we are grateful,” he said.

The Grand Bahama campus is expected to become the home of programmes in environmental science, marine science, sustainable innovation, computer engineering, and entrepreneurship. Plans are also to establish a business incubator and technology hub and innovation centre in partnership with the government.

Dr Strachan indicated that “things are looking up for UB-North.” As a result of courses going virtual during the pandemic, just over 1,000 students enrolled in UB-North classes, he said.

“We are looking forward to announcing to the nation the new location of UB-North’s main campus. We know that there is much anticipation where this is concerned. We have two very good options we are weighing and are confident that our students and Grand Bahamians from all walks of life will be pleased,” he said.

UB-North’s campus in East Grand Bahama was destroyed by Hurricane Dorian in September 2019.