Jamaica Gleaner

Webber again!

UWI confirms ecologist as new Mona Campus principal

- Romario Scott/Gleaner Writer romario.scott@gleanerjm.com

THE UNIVERSITY of the West Indies (UWI) yesterday confirmed that Professor Dale Webber would serve as the next principal for the Mona Campus.

The Gleaner had first disclosed on Tuesday that the ecologist and pro vice-chancellor of graduate studies had been selected to take up the post on October 1.

According to the UWI, “The appointmen­t was approved by Chancellor Robert Bermudez on behalf of the University Council, following a recommenda­tion from Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Hillary Beckles.”

Webber will succeed Professor Archibald McDonald, who will retire at the end of September, having served five years as principal of the St Andrew-based campus.

Three persons had applied to succeed McDonald: Dr Luz Longsworth, principal of the university’s Open Campus; Professor Dale Webber, pro vicechance­llor of graduate studies; and Densil Williams, pro vicechance­llor for industry/academic partnershi­p and planning.

“Professor Dale Webber has had a distinguis­hed career in coastal ecology and environmen­tal management and a strong and consistent record of teaching, graduate supervisio­n, administra­tion, and research excellence, which spans 30 years of service with the UWI,” the UWI said yesterday.

PROFESSION­AL EXPERIENCE

Webber was director of the Centre for Marine Sciences from 2005 until July 2015, when he was appointed pro vice-chancellor, graduate studies and research. He is a coastal ecologist with more than 15 years’ experience in the environmen­tal field.

“As pro vice-chancellor for graduate studies and research, Professor Webber has mobilised staff and students across all four campuses to develop eight multicampu­s research clusters,” the UWI further noted.

“This has resulted in four successful internatio­nal grant applicatio­ns, as well as a US$25million research monitoring memorandum of understand­ing between the university and the government of Montserrat. He has also secured the establishm­ent of posts of directors of graduate studies and research at the Cave Hill, Mona, and St Augustine campuses.”

 ??  ?? Professor Dale Webber
Professor Dale Webber

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