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3 February 2017 | VOICES Bi-Monthly Magazine of the University of Technology, Jamaica
Minister of Education, Youth and Information,
Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid, CD in congratulating
Mr. Powell for accepting the “Herculean
challenge,” told the gathering that “Mr. Powell
represents the best in us and the best of us,”
and lauded the new Pro-Chancellor for his
“impressive exploits in the corporate world and
his tremendous contribution to education and
indeed community development in this country.”
The Minister expressed confidence in the future
of the University, noting that he will continue to
work closely “with all who are desirous of seeing
UTech, Jamaica realize its full potential.” He
saluted the University for the service it has given
to the development of Jamaica in improving
the lives of thousands of persons and called
on all be to “positive about our collective ability
to solve our challenges,” while urging “more
outlets for collaboration and fewer conduits of
unenlightened competition.”
Congratulations and well wishes to Pro-
Chancellor Powell were also received from the
President of the Students’ Union, Mr. Dimitri
McGregor and President of the UTech, Jamaica
Academic Staff Union (UTASU), Mrs. Joan Lawla
who spoke on behalf of the University’s other
staff unions (UTech, Jamaica Administrative staff
Association – UTASU and University and Allied
Workers Union – UAWU).
The Students’ Union President in welcoming the
new Pro-Chancellor noted that the student body
was already appreciative of Mr. Powell’s keen
interest in students’ concerns and the time he
has given to meeting with him and listening to
various issues towards supporting amicable
solutions in the interest of students.
Mrs. Lawla, in welcoming Mr. Powell, lauded
him for his “unique combination of academic
achievement, business acumen and experience,”
and expressed confidence in a “fruitful period of
association,” affirming that the UAWU, UTASA
and UTASU “are committed to working to secure
the best interests of workers in the realization of
the full potential of the university.”
Inaugural Address
In his inaugural address, Mr. Powell paid
homage to the previous Pro-Chancellors and all
stakeholders who have steered the institution’s
development in all areas. Noting that the
foundation has been well laid, he expressed hope
that “UTech, Jamaica has an extraordinary future
in prospect.” The Pro-Chancellor emphasized the
University’s important role in the realization of the
imperative for national prosperity as articulated
in Jamaica’s Vision 2030 development goals.
In this regard, he highlighted imperative of
“undertaking our own internal transformation to
prepare the University to take advantage of our
unique status as a national university, to deliver
on our mission in support of Jamaica’s national
development goals.” He acknowledged that this
will have implications for “strategy development,
resource allocation, the determination of areas
of research focus, knowledge development and
dissemination and ultimately the design and
delivery of courses of study and learning.”
Mr. Powell pledged his commitment to working
assiduously with all University stakeholders to
achieve the institution’s vision and mission in the
interest of the citizens of Jamaica.
Mr. Richard K. Powell recently retired from
the Victoria Mutual Group having served in
the position of President and Chief Executive
Officer of The Victoria Mutual Building Society
from July 2005. Mr. Powell is a highly qualified
and respected executive, whose professional
experience includes appointments as President
and CEO of Life of Jamaica Limited and Blue Cross
of Jamaica, as well as an executive management
position at the Lascelles DeMercado Group of
Companies.
Prior to those appointments, Mr. Powell had
a successful engineering career in the public
sector. He has served on the Boards of many
private sector corporations.
Mr. Powell’s academic achievements include an
M.B.A (with Distinction) from York University in
Canada, a MSc. in Highway Engineering from the
University of Birmingham in England, and a .
(Hons,) in Civil Engineering from the University of
the West Indies. In 1984, he was the recipient of
a Canadian Commonwealth Scholarship, which
was tenable at York University.
A Rhodes Scholar, Ambassador Vasciannie has been a Professor of
International Law for more than 12 years. He holds the Doctor of Philosophy
degree in International Law from the University of Oxford, the Master of Law
degree in International Law from the University of Cambridge (First Class
Honours with distinction, Top of Class); the Bachelor of Arts in Jurisprudence
from the University of Oxford (First Class Honours, Top of Class at Balliol
College, Oxford); and the Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from the
University of the West Indies (First Class Honours, with the then best results
in the history of the Faculty of Social Sciences).
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
cont’d from page 1 Stephen Vasciannie Appointed 4th President
Cont’d from page 1 Richard Powell Appointed Pro-Chancellor
Pro-Chancellor, Richard Powell delivers his inaugural address