UTech, Ja. Voices

VOICES Bi-Monthly Magazine of the University of Technology, Jamaica | January – April 2020 14 Professor Colin Gyles Appointed Acting President The Council of the University of Technology, Jamaica at its meeting held on March 25, 2020 approved the recommendation from the Joint Committee of the Academic Board and the Council for the appointment of Professor Gyles Professor Colin Gyles, Deputy President as Acting President. The appointment takes effect on April 3, 2020 until the appointment of a President or such earlier date as the Council shall determine. As Acting President, Professor Gyles will carry out the functions of President as the chief academic and administrative officer of the University, reporting directly to the Council, through its Chairman, the Pro- Chancellor and will be principally responsible for implementing the Council’s policies. Professor Colin Gyles has led a successful career as a lecturer, multidisciplinary scientist and academic administrator for over 30 years. He has been serving as Deputy President of the University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech, Ja.) since January 2015. During his tenure, he served as Acting President from August 2015 to December 2016. Associate Professor Dr Haldane Johnson Appointed Acting Deputy President The Council of the University of Technology, Jamaica at a special meeting held on March 25, 2020 approved the recommendation from the Joint Committee of the Academic Board and the Council for the appointment of Associate Professor Dr. Haldane Johnson as Acting Deputy President. The appointment will take effect on April 3, 2020 until the appointment of a President or such earlier date as the Council shall determine. Having been appointed Acting Deputy President, Associate Professor Johnson will head the Academic Affairs Division of the University and shall be directly responsible to the Acting President for the development, co-ordination and implementation of curricula and instruction within the University. He will also be responsible for academic leadership by ensuring that academic planning and delivery with respect to curricula, teaching, research, creative activities and related academic service requirements are met in the Colleges and Faculties and areas of Academic Management. Dr Johnson comes to the post as the current Associate Vice President, Teaching & Learning, a position he has held since January 1, 2018. Since September 2011 he was appointed as the Associate Vice President for Undergraduate Studies which included a 17-month period as Acting Deputy President. P ro-Chancellor Mr. Richard Powell advised the University Community on November 20, 2019 that for personal and professional reasons, Professor Stephen Vasciannie who joined the University as President in January 2017 has opted not to renew his three-year contract which expired on December 31, 2019. The Pro-Chancellor thanked Professor Vasciannie for offering “to extend his tenure to support the transitional arrangements for his succession.” Professor Vasciannie subsequently ended his tenure on April 1, 2020.. Mr. Powell stated that “the Council records our thanks for the significant contributions of Professor Vasciannie to UTech, Jamaica during his tenure. Among other things, we note with appreciation the following: his strong personal leadership of UTech, Jamaica towards achievement of Institutional Accreditation; the launch of the University of Technology, Jamaica Press; his strong interest in improving the UTech, Jamaica employee value proposition; his strong student-centred approach (inclusive of the 60th Anniversary Scholarship Programme); his overall thrust at modelling personable leadership; his efforts to engender improved employee relations and his leadership in strengthening teaching, service and research. These and other important initiatives have served to strengthen the University’s institutional capacity and brand, as well as enhanced the value of the University’s offerings. The institution moves forward with an even stronger platform for fulfilling its mandate as the national University. The Council thanks Professor Vasciannie for his service and expresses its best wishes to him for the future.” Mr Richard Powell, Pro-Chancellor Transition in Leadership at the University