News Releases

Four New Appointments to UWI Executive Management

For Release Upon Receipt - October 4, 2024

St. Augustine


St. Augustine, Trinidad & Tobago, October 4, 2024 – The University of the West Indies (The UWI), St. Augustine Campus, is pleased to announce the recent appointments of key executive management personnel.  

New Appointments

Chair of the St. Augustine Campus Council: Mr. Robert Riley

 

Pursuant to Statute 7 (1) of the Statutes and Ordinances, the Chancellor Dr. The Most Honourable Dodridge D. Miller has appointed Mr. Robert Riley as Chair of the St. Augustine Campus Council for a term of five years, from September 4, 2024, to July 31, 2029.

In his role as Chair, Mr. Riley will preside over meetings of the St. Augustine Campus Council and perform duties as conferred or imposed by any UWI Statute, Ordinance, Order, or Regulation. He succeeds Ms. Sharon Christopher, who served as Chair from November 16, 2018. The Campus extends sincere thanks to Ms. Christopher for her contributions and commitment to the University.

An alumnus of The UWI, Mr. Riley is a retired Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of BP Trinidad and Tobago and is also an attorney-at-law. He has held various executive management and senior legal positions, including Head of Safety and Operations Risk at BP PLC in London, Vice President of Legal and Government Affairs at Amoco and BP/Amoco, and General Counsel and Corporate Secretary at BWIA. Additionally, he has served on the Boards of Amoco Trinidad and Tobago LLC and other Amoco entities, Titan Methanol, BP Trinidad and Tobago, Atlantic LNG, The Bank of Nova Scotia Trinidad and Tobago Limited, the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT), Caribbean Airlines Limited, and the Board of Management of J D Sellier & Co, Attorneys at Law. He was elected Chairman of the Board of Massy Holdings Ltd. effective May 12, 2023. Mr. Riley holds a first degree in Agriculture.

He has been awarded a Chaconia Medal (Gold) by the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago for his contribution to National Development. In 2009, he received a Doctor of Laws Honoris Causa from The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine.

The Campus extends congratulations to Mr. Robert Riley on his appointment as Chair of the St. Augustine Campus Council and looks forward to his tenure.

Deputy Principal: Professor Derek Chadee

 

Professor Derek Chadee has been a valued member of The UWI community since 1995, serving both at the St. Augustine Campus and at Regional Headquarters. As the Coordinator of the Psychology Programme, he played a pivotal role in developing the B.Sc. Psychology Special, M.Sc. Applied Psychology, and M.Phil./Ph.D. Psychology programmes within the Faculty of Social Sciences. Most recently, he served as Pro Vice-Chancellor, Board for Undergraduate Studies, at the University Centre.

Professor Chadee’s participative and consultative leadership style is complemented by a keen awareness of global trends and opportunities. His efforts have facilitated relationships with external stakeholders, resulting in numerous memoranda of understanding beneficial to students and staff. He has also championed university advocacy through collaborative research with governmental agencies, driving change within the evolving landscape of Caribbean societies.

As a Fulbright Scholar, Professor Chadee has authored over 70 publications, including books, journal articles, and book chapters, contributing significantly to internationally respected peer-reviewed journals.

Professor Chadee succeeds Professor Indar Ramnarine, who has made substantial contributions to the campus. The university extends its gratitude to Professor Ramnarine for his dedicated service.

Campus Bursar: Mr. Kevin Kalloo

 

Mr. Kevin Kalloo, a third-generation Kalloo at The UWI, joined the St. Augustine Campus in 2007. He became a member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) in 2005 and was made a Fellow in 2011. Mr. Kalloo has been a Chartered Accountant with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Trinidad and Tobago since 2013 and holds an MSc in Strategic Leadership and Management (Distinction) and a BSc in Accounting (Honours) from The UWI.

Bringing a wealth of expertise in financial management, Mr. Kalloo possesses a comprehensive understanding of The UWI Financial Code, Procedures, and Guidelines. His previous experience as an External Auditor, during which the campus was a key client for five years, further enriches his insight into the institution's financial operations.

Throughout his career, Mr. Kalloo has cultivated relationships with external stakeholders, including local governmental agencies and international donor partners. His strong working relationships with Deans, Heads of Departments, Directors, and student-centred units enhance the effective management of budgets for staff, students, and special projects.

Mr. Kalloo previously served as Campus Bursar (Acting) since August 2023. He succeeds Mrs. Andrea Taylor-Hanna, to whom the Campus expresses its sincere appreciation for her contributions.

Pro Vice-Chancellor for the Board of Undergraduate Studies: Professor Canute Thompson

 

Professor Canute Thompson was appointed Pro Vice-Chancellor for the Board of Undergraduate Studies, effective October 1, 2024.

In this role, Professor Thompson will lead the Office of the Board for Undergraduate Studies (OBUS), overseeing policy development and implementation for quality assurance across all undergraduate and sub-degree programmes at The UWI and its affiliates.

A Professor of Educational Policy, Planning, and Leadership, Professor Thompson has served as the Director of the Caribbean Centre for Educational Planning (CCEP) and was the Project Director for the UWI Governance Recommendation and Implementation Committee from 2022 to 2024. He holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Administration and Leadership and has a strong publication record, including several books and numerous journal articles.

Throughout his career, Professor Thompson has supervised six doctoral candidates and has been instrumental in developing new programmes and courses at The UWI. He has received multiple awards for his research and publications, including the UWI Mona Campus Principal's Award for Best Publication.

The UWI extends congratulations to all of the aforementioned members of staff on their new appointments.

About The University of the West Indies

The University of the West Indies (The UWI) is the Caribbean’s premier, higher education institution. One of only two regional universities in the world, it comprises five campuses across the English-speaking Caribbean and global centres in partnership with universities in North America, Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Europe. The UWI has been consistently ranked among the best in the world by the most reputable ranking agency, Times Higher Education (THE).

 Learn more at www.uwi.edu

 

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