The Tribune

By RICARDO WELLS

Tribune Staff Reporter

rwells@tribunemedia.net

THE College of the Bahamas signed a memorandum of understanding with the Antiques, Monuments and Museum Corporation of the Bahamas yesterday to exchange various training opportunities and foster greater academic collaboration between the two entities.

During a press conference at the Harry C Moore Library, COB President Dr Rodney Smith hailed the historic agreement as the first of many for the tertiary institution as it continues its transition to university status.

Dr Smith contended that national institutions can no longer operate in silos, and must now work together to foster the national development desperately needed in society.

“We are extremely pleased to partner with the Antiquities, Monuments and Museum Corporation of the Bahamas, to exchange training opportunities with AMMC staff and our faculty and students, and to foster greater academic collaboration,” he said.

Through various programme structures, students at COB have been able to take advantage of the academic platforms fostered by the AMMC. Through the MoU signed on Monday, staff, faculty and students of COB would now be able to gain access to these resources directly through the college.

Dr Smith said the exchange of academic information and materials, publications, research databases and coursework would be the primary result of this partnership.

Further, the agreement will allow shared library resources such as research papers, indices, books and magazines on relevant subjects where possible and appropriate.

Additionally, the two entities will sponsor and conduct joint conferences, seminars, training programmes, workshops and other academic meetings on matters of mutual interest; while providing lectures within classroom, colloquia, seminars, conferences and other academic forums.

Chairman of the AMMC Board of Directors Courtney Strachan said the MoU provides an opportunity for the AMMC to collaborate with the highest territory institution in the country on matters related to the advancement of Bahamian heritage.

He revealed that a similar MoU between the University of Florida and the AMMC allowed students to take advantage of scholarship opportunities at the institution.

Mr Strachan proposed that similar opportunities would now be available to students registered at COB.

In 2014, the Christie administration moved a resolution in the House of Assembly for the government to borrow $16.1m from the Caribbean Development Bank that was expected to cover 70 per cent of the $23.2m in costs to cover the first phase of COB’s transition to university status. The investment was expected to cover land acquisition and external works.

However, poor auditing practices first reported by this daily prevented COB from using the funds from the $16.1m loan.

The Tribune reported at the time how the college was at least four years behind in audits when the Christie administration moved to borrow the funds.

Last week, this newspaper revealed that the loan had been cancelled.

COB was initially expected to transition into a university in July 2015. A new transition date has not been set.