On September 5, 2014, the University Council announced that the next Vice-Chancellor of The UWI would be Sir Hilary Beckles, the current Principal of the Cave Hill campus. The appointment will take effect on May 1, 2015, as the current Vice-Chancellor, Professor E. Nigel Harris, had announced in May this year that he would demit office in April 2015.
Following this announcement, a Search Committee had been appointed, and at the Extraordinary Meeting of the University Council, presided over by the Chancellor, Sir George Alleyne, the committee’s report was accepted.
The Chancellor, in congratulating Sir Hilary, noted that he would be the seventh Vice-Chancellor (previous ones: Sir Philip Sherlock, 1963-1969; Sir Roy Marshall, 1969-1974; Aston Preston, 1974-1986; Professor Leslie Robinson (acting) 1986-1988; Sir Alister McIntyre 1988-1998; Professor Rex Nettleford, 1998-2004 and Professor E. Nigel Harris, 2004-2015.) He thought he would bring impeccable academic credentials, impressive managerial skills and the gravitas that such an office required. He was confident that Sir Hilary would have the confidence and support of the University’s many and diverse stakeholders.
In advertising the position, The UWI outlined some of the functions of the Vice-Chancellor as set out in the fifth of its Statutes:
“The Vice-Chancellor shall exercise general supervision over the educational arrangements of the University and shall supervise the admission of students.
The Vice-Chancellor shall be ex-officio Chairman of the Senate and, subject to the provisions of section 3 of Statute 9, of all committees of the Council and
Senate provided that he/she may appoint any person being a member of the University to be Chairman of any such Committee.
The Vice-Chancellor shall maintain and promote the efficiency and good order of the University for which he/she shall be responsible to the Council.
He/She should be astute to appreciate and assess correctly the higher education needs of the countries served by The UWI and shall play a leading part in reviewing and revising University policy as may be required from time to time. The Vice-Chancellor will also be expected to monitor the implementation of the current five-year Strategic Plan.
The Vice-Chancellor should be capable of negotiating with governments, international agencies, foundations, and other like institutions, leaders of the private sector, philanthropists and other benefactors for financial assistance and to promote the interests of The UWI.”
Sir Hilary is well known regionally and in international circles. As Principal of the Cave Hill Campus, he is currently the longest serving campus Principal. He has a distinguished record of achievement and service as a university administrator, economic historian and specialist in higher education and development thinking and practice. He serves as a member of the UN Secretary-General’s Science Advisory Board on Sustainable Development, Chairman of the Caribbean Reparations Commission, Vice President of the International Task Force for the UNESCO Slave Route, adviser to the UN World Culture Report, inter alia. |
