University of The Bahamas-North (UB-North) will have a new home in Freeport, Grand Bahama, sparking a transformation not only in its academic focus, capacity for growth and impact on the community, but on public and private sector partnerships and the public's access to higher learning.
On Monday 7th March, during an auspicious ceremony, UB leaders signed a purchase and sales agreement with Vereance and Co. Ltd., owned by the family of the late Dr. Havard Cooper Sr., for the acquisition of the Kipling Complex, a landmark facility in downtown Freeport. The site will be redeveloped into the new UB-North Campus.
UB-North Campus President Dr. Ian Strachan said the campus will become the heart of Freeport.
“This campus will be a beacon of hope, an engine of economic growth, cultural revival, social uplift, and of urban transformation,” he said. “It will epitomize the game-changing impact universities can have in the societies they serve. It will allow UB-North to grow at a rate and in proportions that would have taken decades otherwise to achieve. What that means is that out of tremendous adversity, we seized golden opportunities; and out of defeat, we secured sweet, sweet victory.”
UB-North's campus in East Grand Bahama was severely damaged by Hurricane Dorian in September 2019, forcing operations to be relocated to temporary accommodations. On Monday, the UB-North community expressed excitement as they anticipate a permanent home with the power to bring about meaningful change.
Minister of Education and Technical & Vocational Training the Hon. Glenys Hanna-Martin, who delivered the keynote address, said the acquisition of the Kipling Complex symbolizes important national progress and shows the resilience of the people of Grand Bahama. “This signing today will ignite and unleash a youthful, positive, fruitful energy, a spirit of optimism in Freeport and across the island of Grand Bahama and across our nation,” said Minister Hanna-Martin. “This new space for learning and innovation and research and independent thought and synergistic exchange and academic progress in the heart of Grand Bahama will enrich the ethos of this island population.” The vision for a new UB campus had its genesis some seven years ago, according to UB President Dr. Rodney D. Smith.
“Before the devastation and loss of UB-North’s campus, caused by Hurricane Dorian, we were planning for a downtown campus for UB-North to better serve our working and commuter students. After Hurricane Dorian, we became even more certain that UB-North needed a home in downtown Freeport, and that the home must be the Kipling Complex,” Dr. Smith said.
The move to Freeport is a natural fit, according to the Minister for Grand Bahama the Hon. Ginger Moxey.
“This is where the University of The Bahamas truly belongs, here in downtown Freeport, nestled in the center of our city’s commercial activity, at the heart of the community where it will be visible, accessible, and influential,” she said. UB is acquiring the building from Vereance and Company Ltd., owned by the family of the late Rev. Havard Cooper Sr, a pioneering businessman and visionary. His entrepreneurial spirit contributed to the development of Freeport.
Chair of UB's Board of Trustees, Mrs. Allyson Maynard-Gibson QC painted a futuristic picture of a robust University campus that operates as a centre of excellence and brings vibrancy to the downtown community. She also paid homage to Mr. Cooper’s impact and legacy.
“The story of Grand Bahama and of UB-North is one of strength and resilience. The late Rev. Havard Cooper Sr. demonstrated that same resilient nature throughout his life as a farmer, entrepreneur, reverend gentleman and community leader,” she said. “I hope that within the next few years, collaborating with his family, we will see on this campus a fitting tribute to Rev. Cooper Sr., ensuring that forever, his name will be associated with excellence in education, a cause to which he was firmly committed.”
Mr. Henry St. George, Director of the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA) and a UB Trustee noted that the GBPA is thrilled about the myriad ways a university campus in downtown Freeport can positively impact access to academia and the business community. “I sincerely believe that UB-North has a wonderful future ahead as it develops a world-class institution that can underpin The Bahamas’ national development goals,” said Mr. St. George. “The growth of UB-North will be a catalyst for the sustainable development of the Grand Bahama community, socially, economically, academically, and professionally.” The Kipling Complex will undergo a phased reconstruction to become the new UB-North campus. The future home of UB-North will eventually encompass classrooms; student learning labs; administrative offices; faculty offices; commercial rental units; a Small Business Development Centre; a business incubator; an Entrepreneurship and Innovation Centre; nursing training spaces; a clinic; a student hall and student residences. The campus in East Grand Bahama will be redeveloped as a hub for research in environmental and marine sciences.
