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Having undertaken what is being described as a most elaborate and transparent selection process, the University of Guyana (UG) is today set to name its new Vice Chancellor. In fact reports reaching this publication suggest that the candidate identified for the position is Trinidad-based, Nigeria-born Dr Jacob Opadeyi, who is presently a lecturer at the St Augustine Campus of the University of the West Indies.Dr Jacob OpadeyiKaieteur News understands that the selection of the 59-year-old lecturer has raised concern among many at the Turkeyen Campus, despite his being the holder of laudable credentials. Opadeyi holds a Ph.D in Surveying and Engineering and an Executive Masters in Business Administration.“He cannot offer the University anything and if his appointment is approved it would mean that those responsible do not have the university’s best interest at heart,” said one official who requested anonymity.Dr Opadeyi’s selection was made by the University’s Search Committee which was appointed some years ago by the then Chancellor, Professor Compton Bourne, who reportedly resigned after a period of rejection by many university staffers.A total of seven individuals, including representatives of the Government, Opposition, the University and the Education Ministry make up the Search Committee. However, that Committee does not have the final say on who would be appointed the next Vice Chancellor but rather the University’s Council.A Council meeting set for this afternoon will pronounce on the selected candidate who was identified on Friday last. The Council, this publication was informed, has the clout to approve or deny the appointment of that selected candidate.The award-winning Dr Opadeyi was among a list of four shortlisted candidates who were identified for the position of Vice Chancellor. Nineteen individuals had applied for the post. There are concerns that the Search Committee might have overlooked one of the most suitable candidates for the high-profile position in the person of Dr Jaipaul Singh of the University of Central Lancashire.Also shortlisted were Dr Muniram Boodhoo and Dr Rory Fraser, both of whom, along with Singh, are Guyanese nationals and overseas-tenured academics.They were required to be in-country between the period November 20 and December 4, 2012, for the assessment of their candidature for the position.Each candidate; apart from the formal interview session which was reportedly conducted by a five-member panel, comprised members of the Council of the University, inclusive of representatives of the concerned Ministry, the major political parties, the academic community and the Students’ Society; was required to have an interactive meeting with the joint University Council and Academic Board of the institution.Meetings, it was revealed, were held with the Berbice campus community and the Executive of the UG Students’ Society. At these sessions each candidate was expected to give a short presentation on why he should be appointed Vice-Chancellor. In addition, each candidate was required to give a public lecture on a topic of his choice.The entire process has been touted as the most thorough in the 49-year history of the local university. The previous Vice Chancellor of the university was Professor Lawrence Carrington who proceeded on end-of-contract leave on February 6,Cheap Jerseys China, 2012. He assumed duty at the University on April 1, 2009. |
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