University of the Bahamas (UB) President Dr. Rodney Smith is counting on several key initiatives to increase the viability and integrity of the institution over the next few years from technology to accreditation and branding.

The remarks came during the institution’s second Media Information Meeting but the first since its transition to university status three months ago.

While there has been much accomplished he said there is still a lot left to be done in order for UB to be considered a world renowned institution.

“Now that the university has been chartered we have progressively begun work on some of the most important goals of this institutions existence,” Dr. Smith said.

“Our Vice President for Human Resources Dr. Mychal Coleman often reminds us that the initiative with which we are progressing in our first year takes other institutions of higher education several years. We want our students to experience the very best and have the absolute best opportunities to succeed.”

Getting an education is the key to economic success of the entire country he said.

In that respect, Dr. Smith says there are four initiatives that his team will be zeroing in on.

“The four major initiatives are institutional accreditation, a university strategic plan, an institution wide data mange system and initiating a capital campaign.”

Elaborating on the university’s proposed advancements were its Director of Strategic Planning, Strengthening and Accreditation, Dr. Danny Davis; Vice President And Chief Information Officer, Elgin Smith and UB Provost, Dr. Linda Davis.

“Why accreditation? As the President spoke about 1,000 bed dorms, we want to diversify our student base and all of these things point to international students.  International students for us primarily are going to come from North America and it’s going to be more expensive for that student to study abroad,” Dr. Davis said.

“As we expand that base what’s going to be critic is that those students out of the U.S will require that they spend their dollars especially federal and state money at an accredited institution.”

As for the cost of the technological advancement initiative BANA over a two- year period Mr. Smith said it would cost the university some $2 million.

“For the students, similar benefits are going to be achieve we’re going to reduce the long lines the need to bring scholarship papers that we get from The Ministry of Education and other institution around the country. Thos items will be scanned at the source. We will get those lists electronically and they will be applied to the students’ accounts,” Mr. Smith said.

“They’ll be able to log into the system see their accounts, see that their scholarship has been applied and then register for their courses.”

These are just some of the improvements the technological component of UB is currently working on he added.

Also bringing remarks on other sectors were VP of Human Resources, Dr. Mychal Coleman; VP Finance/Chief Financial Officer Mr. Ryan Antonio; Director of Athletics Mrs. Kimberley Roller and VP Institutional Advancement & Alumni Affairs Ms. Davinia Blair.