NASSAU, Bahamas — The $100 million Western Atlantic University School of Medicine (WAUSM) being built in Freeport, Grand Bahama has reached a construction milestone. It is slated to complete its first phase by the end of the year and welcome students by January 2022, The Nassau Guardian reported on Friday, April 23.
The first phase, comprised of 36,000 square feet of classrooms, a laboratory and simulation facilities, will welcome 50 students when it opens next year, building to 200 students by September 2022, according to a statement from WAUSM.
The campus is being constructed on the East Sunrise Highway behind the Lucayan Medical Centre and has provided about 50 construction jobs to date.
When the campus fully opens, 350 permanent full-time jobs will be available for Bahamians, according to the statement.
WAUSM’s founder and Chief Executive Officer Peter Goetz said hiring Bahamians is part of the school’s plan to be a player in Freeport’s development.
“Hiring local residents to help build this world-class medical school is a reflection of our values. We very much want WAUSM to be the catalyst toward Freeport’s renaissance,” Goetz said. “Having Bahamians at the center of our hiring practices will help to revitalize this special place, a place we are so pleased to call home. The university is a foundational project that will create significant economic benefits for Grand Bahama, both in the near term and for decades to come.” See full Nassau Guardian article at https://thenassauguardian.com/freeport-medical-school-on-healthy-track-for-2022-opening/
