NASSAU, The Bahamas — There are billions of dollars in the agricultural and marine sectors in association with food production, distribution and consumption, Dr. Rodney Smith said during the Charter Ceremony for the University of The Bahamas and the Inauguration of Dr. Smith as President at the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium, November 10, 2016.
The new president explained that 3.5 billion people rely on the ocean as their primary source of food.
“By 2040, the demand for food from the ocean will increase beyond seven billion people. Approximately, 95 per cent of The Bahamas is water.
“With good stewardship and care of our land and sea, the agricultural and oceanic food resources of The Bahamas can be unlimited.”
President Smith said, “Under the University of The Bahamas, our rich ecosystems on land and beneath the sea will drive robust programmatic and research studies. The University of The Bahamas… UB … will seek to be the lead institution in not only exploring the natural gifts of The Bahamas; but also expanding opportunities for Bahamians to become agricultural, fisheries and oceanic entrepreneurs.”
He said the University will find new ways to maximise ecologically sustainable oceanic energy resources for the full benefit of The Bahamas while adding to scientific research for the benefit of peoples around the world.
New Centre of Excellence
The President also noted that a new Centre of Excellence, called the University’s Government and Public Policy Institute will meet institutional and national objectives.
“Through this institute, we will encourage and support research on national and regional matters relevant to public policy creation and practice.
“We will provide consultancy and research services to agencies and ministries of the Government of The Bahamas and private entities based on national development goals and national research priorities.
He said, “We will assist in monitoring the implementation of the National Development Plan for The Bahamas and informing revisions and refinements for the same on an ongoing basis. We will develop and disseminate National Key Performance Indicators (NKPIs) and Economic Forecasts; while assisting in the provision of strategic support to government agencies and ministries with respect to the training of public personnel.
“We will provide ongoing research and academic analyses in the areas of governance, decentralisation and democratisation.”
