With little fanfare, classes began January 10 at The College of The Bahamas’ (COB) new $10-million Northern Bahamas Campus (NBC) in east Grand Bahama.

The 50-acre development is a part of the 220 acres granted to the college by the Grand Bahama Port Authority.

The new facility consists of 18 classrooms, four faculty offices, library, computer and science laboratories, a bookstore, café, conference room and an administrative area.

NBC caters mainly to part-time students pursuing bachelor degrees in education and business administration (accounting and management). An associate degree in computer information systems is also offered, in addition to mathematics and English for adults.

A College Preparatory Programme, a diploma in education and programmes in hospitality studies are also available. In conjunction with the Centre for Continuing Education and Extension Services (CEES), NBC also offers a number of general interest courses.

For now, both the new and the old site remain in operation. All degree programmes, with the few exception of the Culinary and Hospitality Management courses, along with CEES programmes, will be moving to the new campus.

In Nassau, work continues on the new $28-million Harry C Moore Library and Information Centre being constructed at the intersection of Tucker Road and Thompson Boulevard on the college’s main campus in Oakes Field. The campus is situated about two miles away from the centre of the capital, with facilities that cover about 75 acres.

The new library is named after a former chairman of the Lyford Cay Foundation, past COB council member and philanthropist. The anticipated opening of the new library is spring of this year.

Once completed, the library will house support offices, a small auditorium, classrooms, media production studio, individual and group study spaces, institutional archives and exhibition spaces.