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College of the Bahamas

The College of the Bahamas (more commonly referred to as COB) is a public institution of higher education with campuses located throughout the Bahamas. Its main campus located is the capital city of Nassau, on the island of New Providence.

COB was established in 1974 as an Act of Parliament and was the created via the merger of the Bahamas Teachers’ College, the San Salvador Teachers’ College, the C.R. Walker Technical College and the Sixth Form Programme of The Government High School. In 1975 the College of the Bahamas opened its doors to students.

Today the college offers certificates, diplomas, associate and bachelors degrees to over 5000 students (of whom 40% are part-time). It also offers and master degrees in conjunction with other universities. It soon hopes to achieve university status.

It is currently headed by president, Canadian academic and Bahamian permanent resident; Janyne Hodder who in 2006 replaced acting-president Dr. Rhonda Chipman Johnson.

Campuses

Initially, the College comprised two campuses both of which located on the island of New Providence. The main campus was situated in the Bahamas Teachers’ College building in the commercial district of Oakes Field while the Soldier Road Campus was in the old C. R. Walker Technical College. In September, 1976, the main campus was moved to the site of the old Government High School in Oakes Field. In 1984 Soldier Road's operations were also transferred to the Oakes Field Campus making it the College's main campus.

Currently the College contains 3 campuses, and several academic & research centres throughout the Bahamas. Its campuses include the main Oakes Field Campus, the Northern Campus located on Grand Bahama island and the Grosvenor Close Campus which houses the Division of Nursing and Health Sciences.

Its centres include, the Centre for Entrepreneurship, Centre for Continuing Education and Extension Services and an Abaco Center. Its research locations include the Gerace Research Center, which is known worldwide for its archeology, biology, marine science and geology research, and The Bahamas Environmental Research Center located in central Andros island, which handles environmental research.

Organization

The college is governed by two boards, the Council of the College of the Bahamas, and the Cabinet of the College of the Bahamas. The council is headed by Chairman and Bahamian businessman Franklyn Wilson. Day to day operations are overseen by the President of the College of the Bahamas (who is appointed by the council), currently Janyne Hodder.

The cabinet consists of the President, and executives who are in charge of administering various departments. Posts include Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, Vice President of Outreach, Vice President of Research, Graduate Programmes and International Relation, Vice President of Human Resources and Communications, Vice President Student Affairs, the Registrar and VP Finance and Administration and the Chief Information Officer

Academics

The college offers degrees through faculties and academic schools. Its academic faculties include the Faculty of Liberal and Fine Arts, the Faculty Pure and Applied Sciences, and the Faculty of Educational Studies. Its schools include The School of Business Studies, The School of Communication and Creative Arts, The School of English Studies, The School of Nursing and Allied Health Professions, The School of Sciences and Technology, The School of Social Sciences and The Culinary and Hospitality Management Institute.

It grants 6 baccalaureate degrees with 59 majors and 3 associate degrees.