The UWI’s senior leadership portfolios expand
Among the decisions taken at the sitting of the annual meeting of University Council last month was the assignment of additional duties to Pro Vice-Chancellors and Campus Principals. This, in keeping with the University’s current COVID-19 cost-cutting and cost-containment strategies.
Consistent with the Council’s approval to restructure its senior leadership portfolios, Dr Luz Longsworth, with effect from July 1, 2020, will assume responsibility for the oversight of the University’s global affairs in addition to her role as Pro Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the Open Campus.
Dr Longsworth takes over this charge, succeeding Pro Vice-Chancellor Global Affairs, Ambassador the Honourable Dr Richard Bernal, on his retirement.
The UWI’s Office of Global Affairs was established in 2016 as part of a more focused strategic effort to raise the University’s international standing, strengthen and expand alliances with international universities, research institutions and other organisations. This robust globalisation agenda, framed within its Triple A Strategy (Strategic Plan 2017-2022), has since resulted in the establishment of nine global centres with universities in North America, Latin America, Asia, Africa and Europe. The world’s most influential university ranking agency Times Higher Education (THE), recognised this increased global visibility when it ranked The UWI among the best universities in the world for 2019 and 2020, and the best in Latin America and the Caribbean for 2018 and 2019. In each ranking, The UWI scored especially high in THE’s ‘international outlook’ performance assessment criteria.
Within the remit of her expanded portfolio, Dr Longsworth will build upon the foundation laid by Ambassador Dr Bernal and coordinate all international projects and programmes, driving The UWI’s global initiatives. Among these include the design and launch of the new UWI Global Online brand which seeks to deliver The UWI’s programmes and courses to an international online market.
Dr Longsworth, who has served as Pro Vice-Chancellor and Principal of The UWI Open Campus since 2017 also chairs The UWI Press Board and the Colleges of The UWI and The UWI Five Islands Campus’ Implementation Committees. Additionally, she co-leads the SUNY-UWI Center for Leadership and Sustainable Development which The UWI jointly operates with the State University of New York.
Following University Council’s approval on May 13, 2020, the other restructured leadership portfolios include Pro Vice-Chancellor and Principal at Cave Hill, Professor the Most Hon. V. Eudine Barriteau’s responsibility for the social impact of COVID-19 on students and staff; Pro Vice-Chancellor and Principal at Mona, Professor Dale Webber’s oversight of disaster preparedness; and Pro Vice-Chancellor and Principal, St. Augustine Campus, Professor Brian Copeland’s charge of digital transformation. Professor Densil Williams, current Pro Vice-Chancellor of Planning will also add Principalship of The UWI Five Islands Campus to his existing portfolio for strategic planning and academic-industry alignment with effect from August 1, 2020.
