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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

B.Sc

.

(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 4

th

President

Cont’d from page 1

Richard Powell Appointed Pro-Chancellor

Pro-Chancellor, Richard Powell delivers his inaugural address