Nigerian-born professor on shortlist for UG VC post

Nigerian-born professor Jacob Opadeyi is among four candidates short-listed for the post of UG Vice-Chancellor.

Opadeyi who is a naturalized citizen of Trinidad and Tobago is a Professor of Geomatics Engineering and Land Management. He is the Deputy Dean, Enterprise Development and Outreach, Faculty of Engineering at the University of the West Indies.

As part of a novel process for the selecting of the new Vice-Chancellor, each of the four nominees will be delivering a lecture. According to an advertisement in today’s Stabroek News, Opadeyi will deliver a lecture entitled `Managing our land, Managing our future’ at 5 pm on November 22 at the Education Lecture Theatre, Turkeyen Campus.

The names of the other persons on the shortlist have not yet been released.

According to a press statement issued last week by the UG Public Relations Department, the candidates are expected in the country for the assessment of their candidature for the position, which it dubbed the most elaborate and transparent process that the university, in its history of 49 years, has ever undertaken in the selection of any of its officers.

A formal interview session will be conducted by a five-member panel, comprising members of the Council of the University, inclusive of representatives of the Education Ministry, the major political parties, the academic community and the Students’ Society.

In addition, each candidate is expected to have an interactive meeting with the joint University Council and Academic Board of the institution. Meetings will also be held with the Berbice campus community and the Executive of the UG Students’ Society. At these sessions, each candidate is expected to give a short presentation to make a case for their appointment as Vice-Chancellor, the release stated.

Each candidate will also have to give a public lecture on a topic of his choice, which are now scheduled for Thursday, November 22, Monday, November 26, Tuesday, November 27, and Thursday, November 29, at the Education Lecture Theatre, at the Turkeyen Campus.

It is anticipated that the university will be announcing the appointment of its new Vice-Chancellor in time for the commencement of the Second Semester, which begins on January 28, 2013.