“The Confidence Of UB Will Be Lifted With This Accreditation”

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – The University of The Bahamas is taking a major step toward strengthening its academic reputation, beginning the process for both local and international accreditation.

The goal: ensuring academic quality, institutional accountability, and that UB degrees are recognized worldwide.

But what does accreditation mean, and how does it work?

Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Gadville McDonald, explains the process.

GADVILLE MCDONALD – VICE CHAIR, BOARD OF TRUSTEES, UB
“It is an ongoing process. They would come in and assess the University on various metrics. It’s peer review, aimed at overall improvement across the institution.”

For students who have faced difficulty transferring credits, McDonald says this accreditation could be a game-changer.

GADVILLE MCDONALD – VICE CHAIR, BOARD OF TRUSTEES, UB
“I think I did about 30 out of 60 credits at the College of The Bahamas. When I went to Florida International University, only a little over half of those credits were accepted. As an accounting major, some courses I had to redo. You can imagine the disappointment and the increased financial burden that placed upon me.”

UB, which was established in 2016 from the former College of The Bahamas, has been preparing for national and international accreditation for years. Applications have been submitted to the Bahamas’ National Accreditation and Equivalency Council (NAECOB) as well as to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

However, not everyone agrees with how the process has been handled. Dr. Ian Strachan, the university’s former Executive Vice President, has criticized UB’s efforts as “colonial.”

McDonald responds by emphasizing the university’s transparency and engagement with stakeholders.

GADVILLE MCDONALD – VICE CHAIR, BOARD OF TRUSTEES, UB
“This has been an engaging process, transparent and trustworthy. All stakeholders are at the table and actively involved in the process.”