I listened to President Hodder today as she made an nice speech regarding how COB can play a role with nation building. Maybe she expressed the same sentiments before but I found interesting several of her points. What seems big to her is the need for Masters programs, more research and better ties with the business community among other things.

She also made points regarding the college and its role in nation-building:

COB should be a primary place to go to when organizations are in need of finding a solution to a problem. The college should be creating solutions (via research) instead of just teaching what is already written.

The college spends about $7,700 per student as opposed to 10.2 k at UWI Cave hill and over 20k in N. America. She feels that this isnt enough to build a quality institution and it must be closer to $10k.

She feels that with all of the anchor projects that are being announced that a percentage of each investment (about 2%) to be placed in an independently managed trust fund for the college.

Also, was mentioned that they are trying to push for more donations to be made to COB and that the Wilson family donation of 1 million dollars should set an example.

i guess no one cares..

i guess no one cares..


sorry about that! i haven't made my mind up yet about ms. hodder, but do like that she's trying to position COB as a thought leader in the alternative energy (solar, wind, ocean current) space. i still don't understand why COB couldn't go out and get a leader with the degree expected, a Ph.D, if the university is to grow beyond its mini-mall mindset.

sorry about that! i haven't made my mind up yet about ms. hodder, but do like that she's trying to position COB as a thought leader in the alternative energy (solar, wind, ocean current) space. i still don't understand why COB couldn't go out and get a leader with the degree expected, a Ph.D, if the university is to grow beyond its mini-mall mindset.

Now that whole selection mess is over with, I honestly feel that they made the right choice. Also I guess the argument was that if she was qualified for her other posts, she is qualified to head COB and help in its transition.

In my opinion, Hodder can deliver the goods.

She was the head of Bishops University in Lennoxville Quebec as well as the second in charge at McGill -- incidentally the alma mater of two famous Bahamian physicians, Dr. Marcus Bethel and Dr. Desiree Cox who both got medical degrees there. McGill has many laureates and respected academicians recognised around the world, but her big success came in rejuvenating Bishops.

Bishops was a small but influential liberal arts university that was past its prime . It's glory days were behind it. She revitalised the university, built partnerships, instituted technology application and research to the point where it is now a widely respected university internationally with a large foreign contingent of discriminating students. She knows what needs to be done.

am not quibbling as to whether she's got the chops, but don't you have to have a Ph.D as head of a university that is seeking accreditation?

In my opinion, Hodder can deliver the goods.
She was the head of Bishops University in Lennoxville Quebec as well as the second in charge at McGill -- incidentally the alma mater of two famous Bahamian physicians, Dr. Marcus Bethel and Dr. Desiree Cox who both got medical degrees there. McGill has many laureates and respected academicians recognised around the world, but her big success came in rejuvenating Bishops.
Bishops was a small but influential liberal arts university that was past its prime . It's glory days were behind it. She revitalised the university, built partnerships, instituted technology application and research to the point where it is now a widely respected university internationally with a large foreign contingent of discriminating students. She knows what needs to be done.


They didn't accept my application! :duh: They must be good!

am not quibbling as to whether she's got the chops, but don't you have to have a Ph.D as head of a university that is seeking accreditation?


It's quite possible that Hodder plans to get the College in a better position to attain University status. That doesn't mean that she'll actually finish the process. I hope that she'll be able to attract a really strong, correctly accredited administrator to replace her, or get qualified herself. Then the University of The Bahamas will really have some momentum.

I think a problem will arise within a few years, though. The standard of primary and secondary education today will leave little 'food for fodder' for UOB. By lowering admission standards, they risk losing university status, but the poorly performing class of today won't qualify for a university in 5 to 10 years. It's a matter of marketing outside of the Bahamas, I think. I'm sure they have a plan.

They didn't accept my application! :duh: They must be good!

hehe but UWO is not too shabby tho.

hehe but UWO is not too shabby tho.

UWO or UWI? Anyway in some circles UWI doesnt have that great a reputation either. Has anyone who has been abroad noticed that as well?

The jury is out on Hodder, as we have to see exactly what she can do.

We got hyped over Dr. Smith, well at least some of us, and look at what we got with him.

We just have to see what happens with Hodder. She has an easy road, to getting things that may seem impossible to "other" qualified Bahamians, not as fortunate as herself. So, we expect alot more than the average run of the mill stuff.

Garnello, do you have a transcript of her speech as well as a five year forecast, of what she expects and why?

UWO or UWI? Anyway in some circles UWI doesnt have that great a reputation either. Has anyone who has been abroad noticed that as well?

In a previous post casualobserver revealed that he went to University of Western Ontario. So I was referring to his alma mater.

Garnello, do you have a transcript of her speech as well as a five year forecast, of what she expects and why?

I wish it did. I know it was recorded and I know the guy who taped it so I would have to ask him.

I wish it did. I know it was recorded and I know the guy who taped it so I would have to ask him.

tape .. :o :)

tape .. :o :)

hehe video taped or whatever u call it (you know we still use traditional terms)