University of the Bahamas facts for kids
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| Motto | Knowledge, Truth, Integrity |
|---|---|
| Type | Public |
| Established | 1974 |
| President | Dr. Rodney Smith |
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Academic staff
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294 |
| Students | 8722 |
| Location | , , |
| Campus | Urban |
| Sports teams | Mingoes |
| Website | http://www.ub.edu.bs/ |
The University of The Bahamas (UB) is the main public university in The Bahamas. It has campuses all over the islands. The biggest campus is in Nassau, the capital city, on New Providence island.
UB started on November 10, 2016. Before that, it was known as the College of The Bahamas for over 35 years. It first offered two-year programs, then four-year degrees.
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About the University of The Bahamas
The University of The Bahamas has about 5,000 students. More than 12,000 people have graduated from UB. It is one of the largest employers in The Bahamas, with 700 teachers and staff. Most of the teachers are Bahamian.
UB used to be called the College of The Bahamas (COB). COB was created in 1974 by the Bahamas Parliament. It was formed by joining several smaller schools:
- The Bahamas Teachers' College
- The San Salvador Teachers' College
- The C. R. Walker Technical College
- The Sixth Form Programme of the Government High School
Where are the Campuses?
The university has three main campuses. It also has several teaching and research centers across The Bahamas. The Oakes Field and Grosvenor Close Campuses are both in Nassau. The Grosvenor Close Campus is home to the nursing and health sciences programs. The Northern Campus is near Freeport on Grand Bahama island.
The Northern Campus opened in 2011. It is part of a plan for a new university town. This campus has classrooms, offices, a library, and computer labs. It also has a bookstore, cafeteria, and meeting rooms. More buildings are planned for the future.
New buildings are also planned for New Providence island:
- The Small Island Sustainability Centre will focus on how small islands can be sustainable.
- The Franklyn Wilson Graduate Business Centre will house business programs.
Smaller campuses help students on other islands. These include Abaco, Andros, Exuma, and San Salvador. In 2014, the university opened an agricultural center in Andros.
Research and Learning Centers
The University of The Bahamas has many centers for learning and research. These centers help students and the community.
Some of the academic and outreach centers are:
- The Centre for Continuing Education and Extension Services
- The Abaco Center
- The Exuma Center
- The COB/Cape Eleuthera Institute
- Oral History Institute
- Confucius Institute
- Agricultural and Marine Science Institute (opened in 2014)
Research centers help scientists study different topics:
- The Gerace Research Centre is on San Salvador Island. It studies archaeology, biology, geology, and marine science. Over 10,000 scientists and students visit each year.
- The Bahamas Environmental Research Centre (BERC) is in central Andros. It helps people understand environmental issues.
- The Marine and Environmental Studies Institute (MESI) studies marine and environmental resources. It helps manage natural resources in The Bahamas.
- The Poultry Research Unit studies farming on tropical islands. It also provides training.
Harry C. Moore Library
The Harry C. Moore Library opened in 2011. It is a very large library. It has a law library and a computer area open 24 hours a day. There are also classrooms, a media studio, and study spaces. The library keeps important historical papers from The Bahamas. It is named after Harry C. Moore, a kind person who helped The Bahamas.
How the University is Run
The University of The Bahamas is managed by its Council. Alfred Sears is the head of the Council. The university's daily activities are managed by the president. The Council chooses the president.
Who Runs the University?
Here are some of the main people who help run the university:
- President: Dr. Erik Rolland
- Provost/Vice President Academic Affairs: Dr. Maria Woodside-Oriakhi
- Executive Vice President and President of the Northern Bahamas Campus: Dr. Ian Strachan
- Vice President for Operations: Mr. Ronnie Stevenson
- Vice President of Finance: Mr. Allington Hunter
- Vice President of Student Affairs: Mr. Joe Stubbs
- Vice President Institutional Advancement & Alumni Affairs: Mr. Dino Hernandez
- Vice President of Administrative Services: Dr. Marcella Elliott-Ferguson
- Vice President of Human Resources: Dr. Vochelle Ferguson
Past Presidents
The University of The Bahamas usually chooses presidents for three-year terms.
- Dr. Janyne Hodder (2023-present)
- Dr. Erik Rolland (2022–2023)
- Dr. Rodney D. Smith (2014-2022)
- Dr. Betsy Boze (2011–2013)
- Ms. Janyne Hodder (2006–2010)
- Dr. Leon Higgs (1998–2004)
- Dr. Keva Bethel (1996–1998)
What Can You Study?
The university offers many types of programs. You can get certificates, diplomas, and different levels of degrees. There are 66 main subjects you can study. Over 5,000 students attend UB.
In 2011, most graduates earned bachelor's degrees. This shows that more students want to get higher degrees. Over 80% of new students join bachelor's or master's programs. UB also works with other universities to offer advanced degrees like pharmacy and law.
UB offers degrees through eight main academic groups. These groups include an institute and seven schools. Six of these schools are part of larger "Faculties." A Faculty is like a college in a U.S. university. Each Faculty has an academic dean.
The main Academic Faculties and their schools are:
- Faculty of Business
- School of Business
- Faculty of Liberal and Fine Arts
- School of Communication and Creative Arts
- School of English Studies
- Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences
- School of Chemistry, Environmental and Life Sciences
- School of Nursing and Allied Health
- School of Mathematics, Physics and Technology
- Faculty of Social and Educational Studies
- School of Education
- School of Social Sciences
- International Languages and Cultures Institute
- Culinary and Hospitality Management Institute
Sports at UB
The sports teams at the University are called the Mingoes. They play in national and international competitions.
Images for kids
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COB Front Entrance
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Northern Bahamas Campus
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Gerace Center
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Caving Research on San Salvador Island
