DAVIS
Leighton Levy, Gleaner Writer
President of the University of Technology (UTech), Dr. Rae Davis, is to step down from that post near the end of the current academic year when his contract expires in July 2006. Dr. Davis, the brother of the Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr. Omar Davies, has been president of UTech since August 1996, when he took over from Dr. Alfred Sangster.
Dr. Davis tells The Sunday Gleaner that he informed the university's Chancellor Sir Bill Morris and Pro-Vice Chancellor Dr. Blossom O'Meally Nelson of his decision this past July. "I can confirm that I indicated to them that I did not wish to continue," Dr. Davis reveals. He said he informed the leadership of the university, which includes department and union heads, of his decision just last week.
personal reasons
Dr. Davis is stepping down for personal reasons but declined to offer any details. However, The Sunday Gleaner understands that he has not been well for some time and this may have helped precipitate his decision to walk away from the job he has held now for almost a decade.
Dr. O'Meally Nelson confirmed that Dr. Davis had informed her of his decision not to continue beyond the 2005/2006 academic year. "He has done an excellent job and
the time has come for him to explore new horizons," she said.
Dr. O'Meally Nelson explained that it is premature to say who would replace Dr. Davis. "It's too early to say," she said. "The university is in a succession planning mode for all senior posts at the university including members of the council." She said the succession plan would ensure continuity and raise the levels of governance at the university.
According to some of his colleagues, during his 10 years as president of UTech, Dr. Davis has successfully transformed the school into a well-respected degree-granting institution, producing graduates well prepared for the challenges of the ever-changing working environment.
philosophical revolution
"He has led an academic and philosophical revolution at the university," Dr. Nancy George believes. Dr. George is the associate vice-president of academic management at Utech and oversees the quality of the academic programmes being offered there.
She said that in addition to successfully introducing the four-year university degree programmes for all courses that existed prior to the transition from CAST to UTech as well as post-graduate programmes, Dr. Davis insisted on the creation of a community service programme wherein every student could give back to their communities.
She believes, though, that one of his greatest accomplishments was the creation of the Caribbean Sculpture Park on the school
campus which she said was his way of softening the hard edge of technology.
Dr. Davis has made a significant contribution to the direction and growth of the
university, she said.
