In August 2023, University of The Bahamas (UB) made a key step in embracing a new paradigm that will make the institution better able to fulfil its national development mission. Increasing accreditation readiness is a pivotal part of that paradigm.

Key faculty, staff, and administrators, recognized as community leaders, convened to delve deeper into the significance of fostering a culture of continuous improvement across the university.

Hosted by the Office of Institutional Strengthening and Accreditation (OISA), the first working group meeting was held on Friday, August 25th, 2023, at the RBC Auditorium of the Franklyn R. Wilson Graduate Centre. During the meeting, Assistant Vice President Dr. Danny Davis provided an insightful overview of the accreditation process, highlighting how UB will demonstrate its ongoing improvement and enhanced ability to fulfill its mission.

Acting President Janyne Hodder delivered an inspiring message to the group, emphasizing that this journey towards continuous improvement is crucial to ensuring that UB not only meets but exceeds the standards of academic and operational excellence. She reiterated the university’s unwavering commitment to becoming better and stronger, thereby enhancing its ability to positively impact both national and international accreditation pursuits.

“Nobody’s doing this to us,” said President Hodder. “We’re doing this for ourselves so that we can be better; we can better serve our students, we can be a stronger community, we can better support staff, faculty and ultimately deliver on our mission to support and drive national development.”

The enthusiastic participation and engagement of faculty, staff and administrators underscores UB’s dedication to fostering a culture of excellence and innovation. Through collaborative efforts and a shared vision, UB is poised to achieve new heights of academic distinction and operational efficiency.

President Hodder was hopeful about what lies ahead in this extraordinary new era. She encouraged the members of the working group collaborate closely to make progress.

“This offers us an incredible opportunity to measure who we are, what we do, and how we do it against international standards of excellence for universities,” she noted. “Each of you in every sector across the entire community will be looking at who we are, what we do and how we do it.”

As UB continues to progress on its accreditation journey, the university remains steadfast in its mission to provide a transformative educational experience that empowers students and contributes to the advancement of society.