Prof Harris to step down as UWI vice chancellor

(Trinidad Guardian) The University of the West Indies (UWI) vice chancellor, Prof E Nigel Harris is stepping down one year ahead of schedule. Harris was expected to serve in his capacity until April 2016, but has signalled his intention to make the move one year earlier. The Sunday Guardian spoke with Harris on Tuesday at the UWI’s launch of the Diplomatic Academy, where he confirmed the move to step aside. After one decade on the job, Harris said the time had come to let someone else step into his shoes.

“There are so many things I would have liked to do, but I know others would come to do,” Harris said. He said the international search for his replacement had already begun. The letter to colleagues came just one day after he confirmed the decision to step down. “I am writing to announce that I shall demit the office of vice chancellor in April 2015.

By that time, I would have served for ten years as vice chancellor, which is about the time I believe senior administrators of organisations such as ours should serve,” he said.

Harris said while there was a lot to be grateful for—doubling of the university’s enrollment to 50,000, doubling of applications to 30,000 per year, establishing the Open Campus—there was still a lot of work to do.

(Trinidad Guardian) The University of the West Indies (UWI) vice chancellor, Prof E Nigel Harris is stepping down one year ahead of schedule. Harris was expected to serve in his capacity until April 2016, but has signalled his intention to make the move one year earlier. The Sunday Guardian spoke with Harris on Tuesday at the UWI’s launch of the Diplomatic Academy, where he confirmed the move to step aside. After one decade on the job, Harris said the time had come to let someone else step into his shoes.

“There are so many things I would have liked to do, but I know others would come to do,” Harris said. He said the international search for his replacement had already begun. The letter to colleagues came just one day after he confirmed the decision to step down. “I am writing to announce that I shall demit the office of vice chancellor in April 2015.

By that time, I would have served for ten years as vice chancellor, which is about the time I believe senior administrators of organisations such as ours should serve,” he said.

Harris said while there was a lot to be grateful for—doubling of the university’s enrollment to 50,000, doubling of applications to 30,000 per year, establishing the Open Campus—there was still a lot of work to do.

Regional govts owe

UWI US $100M

As Harris makes his move though, he said UWI was owed a massive US$100 million in fees from member country campuses. He noted that while the university’s revenue had been doubled in the past ten years, the debts of contributing countries have piled up.

“The wake of the global economic collapse in 2008 has resulted in arrears in payment by our governments in excess of US$100 million. This will represent a considerable challenge in the next few years,” he said.

As Harris makes his move though, he said UWI was owed a massive US$100 million in fees from member country campuses. He noted that while the university’s revenue had been doubled in the past ten years, the debts of contributing countries have piled up.

“The wake of the global economic collapse in 2008 has resulted in arrears in payment by our governments in excess of US$100 million. This will represent a considerable challenge in the next few years,” he said.