PROFESSOR COLIN GYLES – HIGHLY ACCLAIMED FORMER UTECH ACTING PRESIDENT APPOINTED PRESIDENT OF THE UCC
Professor Colin Gyles
Kingston, April 9, 2024 – Dr. Winston I. Adams, JP, Group Executive Chairman of the UCC & SPECTRUM Groups of Companies, has announced the appointment of the highly respected Professor Colin Gyles as the new President of the University of the Commonwealth Caribbean, UCC; the largest private non-affiliated higher educational institution in Jamaica with over 7,000 students locally. He assumes the role effective April 8, 2024.
Dr. Adams stated that, “the UCC is indeed pleased to welcome Professor Colin Gyles who is an accomplished award-winning academic leader with over 30 years’ experience in Higher Education & leadership. He holds a PhD in Chemistry with a multidisciplinary focus and has been a Full Professor of Applied Sciences since 2013. Since 2015 he has served with distinction as Deputy President of the University of Technology, Jamaica and twice as Acting President at that institution for approximately five (5) years”.
He has spearheaded the creation of UTech’s Faculty of Science and Sport in 2009, serving as its first Dean. Under his leadership, he established vital components like the School of Natural and Applied Sciences, the School of Mathematics and Statistics, the Caribbean School of Sport Sciences, the Centre for Science-based Research, Entrepreneurship and Continuing Studies, and the Integrated Optics and Photonics Research Laboratory.
Professor Gyles, who will be the fourth president of the fast-growing UCC, globally, brings a tremendous wealth of relevant knowledge & experiences especially from the UTech where he was pivotal in helping to spearhead the rapid growth of its student population to some 12,000 students annually & managed a budget of approximately J$10 billion annually.
He received the national honour of Order of Distinction in the rank of Commander (CD) for contribution to the field of academia, and is the 2017 recipient of the Prime Minister’s Medal of Appreciation for Service to Education. In 2023 Professor Gyles was inducted as one of the Governor General’s ‘I Believe’ Initiative Ambassadors.
An active researcher, Professor Gyles has numerous scholarly research publications, journal articles, conference proceedings, reports, and other scholarly work in leading international peer reviewed scientific journals and has been a featured speaker at many local and international conferences. Besides, he has a proven track record in leading initiatives that transform and enhance the quality of the student experience, staff development and infrastructure. As the founding dean of a university faculty with three schools, he was inducted as an honorary Fellow in the International College of Dentists (FICD) for his significant contribution to the establishment of an internationally recognized Dental School. Furthermore, he leads and promotes extensive civic engagement, currently serving as a Director of the HEART/NSTA Trust, Council Member of the University Council of Jamaica (UCJ) and Member of the National Quality Policy Council. Former appointments include Commissioner of the Jamaica Education Transformation Commission, Chairman of the Board of Charlemont High School, member of the National Commission on Science and Technology (NCST) and Commissioner of the Overseas Examination Commission.
Group Executive Chairman, Dr. Adams, further posited that “in joining the UCC, Professor Gyles, under the direction of the Board, will continue to lead the UCC toward the achievement of its stated strategic goals and objectives, enabling the institution to continue to be the innovative and flexible higher education institution, for which it is well known and valued.
Responding to the announcement of his appointment, Professor Gyles said, "It is with a deep sense of humility and gratitude that I accept the responsibility granted to me to serve as president of the University of the Commonwealth Caribbean (UCC). The UCC/UCC Global is an innovative and entrepreneurial institution that fosters leadership and innovation through its programmes and initiatives, which are in sync with the evolving needs of Jamaica, the region, and the world; and I am indeed honoured to facilitate along with others the next chapter of its exciting journey.
I am thankful to the UCC Board of Directors for the confidence placed in me to lead the institution at this juncture and stand committed to carrying out its mission of preparing local,
regional & global students to become exceptional leaders, innovators, and scholars in a caring and intellectually stimulating academic environment."
Dr. David Panton, Chairman of the UCC Board of Directors, also stated that “Professor Gyles’ career in the higher education sector has provided him extensive experience in planning and managing multi-million-dollar Higher Education projects which will be of tremendous benefit to the UCC, now celebrating 20 years of service to Jamaica in Higher Education.
In this regard, he will play a leading role in the strategic growth and development of the institution, forming and maintaining critical partnerships and alliances regionally and internationally for the benefit of our students, alumni, faculty, staff and other key stakeholders”.
See Loop Jamaica News article here
See Our Today article here
