UTech, Jamaica Welcomes Professor Stephen Vasciannie as President
Prof. Stephen Vasciannie, CD (left), newly appointed President of the University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech, Ja.) is welcomed by Prof. Colin Gyles (2nd right), Deputy President on his arrival at the Papine campus on Monday, January 3, 2017. Sharing in the occasion are from left, are UTech, Jamaica Council Members, Hon. Shirley Tyndale, OJ, Mr. Aldrick McNab, Mrs. Sharon Hay-Webster (partially hidden) and Mr. David Drysdale, University Librarian.
Professor Stephen Vasciannie took up office as the new President of the University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech, Ja.) on Tuesday, January 2, 2017. On his arrival on Wednesday, January 3, 2017, Mr. McAnnuf-Jones, Deputy Chairman, UTech, Jamaica Council and Dr. Elaine Wallace, University Registrar presented Prof. Vasciannie to Members of Council, University Officers, Vice Presidents, Associate Vice Presidents, and other members of Executive Management and staff during a special welcome ceremony hosted at the Papine campus.
Following his arrival, Prof. Vasciannie has been participating in a series of on boarding orientation activities to introduce him to the institution’s internal and external stakeholders. These activities include meetings with the University’s Chancellor, Executive Management, the Students’ Union, Heads of Unions and the Minister of Education, Youth and Information.
Prof. Vasciannie notes that he “looks forward to working with the University’s Registrar, Council and all members of staff on the way forward to making the University a better place.” He added that, “the University has great potential to contribute to Jamaica and the rest of the Caribbean.”
As President, Prof. Vasciannie will carry out the functions of chief academic and administrative officer of the University, reporting directly to the Council, through its Chairman, the Pro-Chancellor. He will be principally responsible for implementing the Council’s policies, and will exercise such executive powers as necessary for the proper administration and operation of the University.
He has been a member of the Jamaican Bar for twenty years, and worked at the United Nations and at the Wall Street Law firm of Sullivan and Cromwell as a member of the New York Bar in the 1990s. His illustrious career in academia has included senior appointments at the University of the West Indies, and he served as Principal of the Norman Manley Law School from 2008 to 2012. Within the University of the West Indies, Professor Vasciannie has won various awards for outstanding teaching and research.
Prof. Vasciannie has served with great distinction in both the private and public sectors. He has been a Deputy Solicitor General for Jamaica, has been a member of the Board of Scotiabank Jamaica, and has chaired the Boards of Scotia Investment Jamaica and of his alma mater, Kingston College.
Between 2012 and 2015, he served as Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States of America and Permanent Representative to the Organization of American States (OAS). In the latter capacity, he was elected Chairman of the Permanent Council of the OAS for the period August to October 2012, and as Chairman of the OAS Committee on Juridical and Political Affairs for the year 2014 to 2015.
For his services to Jamaican Education, Law and International Relations, Prof. Vasciannie received the national award of Order of Distinction (Commander Class) in 2015.
The UTech, Jamaica family welcomes Professor Vasciannie.
MEETING WITH EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT: Prof. Vasciannie meets with members of the Executive Management Team on Tuesday, January 3, 2017.
WELCOME ON BOARD: Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid, CD (left), Minister of Education, Youth and Information and Prof. Stephen Vasciannie, CD, President, University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech, Ja.) share a hearty laugh during a courtesy call on the Minister at the Ministry of Education on Thursday, January 5, 2017.
COURTESY CALL ON CHANCELLOR: The Most Hon. Edward Seaga, ON, PC (right) Chancellor, University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech, Ja.) welcomes Prof. Stephen Vasciannie, CD, President, University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech, Ja.) during a courtesy call on him on Friday, January 6, 2017 at Mr. Seaga’s Distinguished Fellow Offices at UWI, Mona. Prof. Vasciannie was accompanied by Michael McAnuff-Jones, Deputy Chairman of Council and Dr Elaine Wallace, University Registrar.
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Contact:
Michelle Beckford (Mrs.)
Corporate Communications Manager
University of Technology, Jamaica
Telephone: 970-5299
Email: mbeckford@utech.edu.jm