EDITOR, The Tribune.

I am reliably informed that at the 2015 Bahamas Business Outlook Forum, the first two questions asked of Dr Rodney Smith, President of The College of The Bahamas by two persons in the audience were: Where are the PhDs at COB?

The question has grave implications for COB as it progresses towards university status. My question following on is who are the PhDs at COB because I am of the view that if we know who the PhDs are at COB we might not have to ask where they are! Internationally recognised criteria for university status includes a minimum percentage of PhDs on the university faculty.

The academic doctorate degree is the highest achievement by an educator in the field of tertiary education. It is awarded subsequent to committed diligence in the pursuit of excellence in a field of studies. It is hard earned by the individual and is to be celebrated and acknowledged at every instance. Indeed, the lofty title designation of “Doctor” replaces the common titles of address such as Mr, Mrs, etc.

The Doctorate designation title is an earned and deserved title and must not be ignored, removed or omitted particularly within the halls of academia.

On January 22, 2015, I attended the annual COB sponsored Anatol Rodgers Memorial Lecture Series. The programme properly acknowledged the guest lecture as Dr Anne Curzan, yet the three COB faculty members who participated and were named in the programme, namely the Chair of the School of English Studies, (Dr Helean McPhee); and the two Co-Chairs of the Lecture Committee (Dr Randall Pinder and Dr Toni Francis) were not given their “Dr” title designation in what I must assume was a COB prepared programme.

That omission was obvious and unacceptable.

My inquiries led to an apparent “School of Mischief “ at COB that proposes that faculty members should not be given any distinguishing title... everyone should appear to be the same.

Dr COB President and COB Council members, please assure the public that this apparent travesty is incorrect. By not acknowledging the status of those who have earned the distinction the perception of the quality of the College’s faculty is reduced in the eyes of the public.

The misguided individuals in positions of influence, and their questionable motives in this apparent dumbing down tactic should not be allowed to prevail.

COB, as the highest institution of learning in our country should be announcing and distinguishing its PhD faculty population. After all, there is so much mediocrity that is promoted as excellence in this country that it is a rarity when we can actually celebrate true excellence!

FELICITY L JOHNSON

Nassau,

February 6, 2015.