#BTColumn – May the best be chosen

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by this author are their own and do not represent the official position of the Barbados TODAY Inc.

As a retired employee of The UWI, I noted a newspaper article “Landis Tipped To replace Barriteau” of March 23 2021 with great interest.

Firstly, the article was factually incorrect in that the candidates to replace Barriteau are PVC. Landis, Prof. Justin Robinson and Prof. Ian Boxill, the Deputy Principal of the Mona campus, while Prof. Winston Moore is not in fact a candidate.

I am pleased that three eminently qualified candidates are vying to be principal of the campus I love. However, I am of the view that the newspaper article sought to highlight the qualifications and experience of PVC. Landis and did little or no justice to the qualifications and experience of Prof. Justin Robinson. Prof. Robinson has not simply served as Dean and Deputy Dean as stated in the article.

Prof. Robinson served as the Head of the Department of Management Studies, the largest department on the campus, which is larger than some other faculties, for six (6) years, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, the largest faculty on the campus by a long way, for eight (8) years, has been the co-ordinator of the campus’ strategic plan for the last six (6) years and currently serves as the Head of the Department of Economics and the CEO and Executive Director of the Sagicor Cave Hill School of Business Management Ag.. Prof. Robinson also has significant university wide administrative experience having served as University Dean for Social Sciences, Chair of the university wide Committee of Deans, a member of University Council and University Senate as well as numerous other task forces and committees.

I also found it rather odd that the article neglected to mention that Prof. Robinson won the prestigious university wide Vice Chancellor’s award for excellence in 2019. Importantly, that award was for excellence in university service (effectively administration) and public service, which would be very important attributes for a principal.

May the most capable person for the moment be chosen, but “neutral” newspaper articles should get the facts right and should not appear to be promoting one candidate over the others.

A retired UWI staffer