THE University of Guyana (UG) said it is in the process of selecting its 11th Vice-Chancellor, and, on Thursday, it will host the first in a series of four virtual lectures.
The process will last until Thursday, May 21, 2020. The first lecture will be given on Thursday, May 14, 2020 from 6-8 pm Eastern Time (US and Canada), via Zoom Webinar, by Professor Stafford Griffith, Interim Pro Vice-Chancellor and Principal, University of the West Indies (UWI) Five Island Campus.

According to a media advertisement, the UG had said that candidates must be of high academic standing and have considerable experience in university administration. They should have the credibility to lead an academic community and to work effectively with the university’s many stakeholders. The candidates should demonstrate knowledge of the issues pertinent to higher education in a developing country such as Guyana, and should evince capability of providing leadership in the development and delivery of tertiary level curricula, relevant to the needs of the national, regional and international community.
Role of the Vice-Chancellor

The Vice-Chancellor is responsible for leading and managing the University’s academic, operational and external affairs – shaping, articulating, and implementing the University’s strategic objectives in research, education, and contribution to public policy development.

The Vice-Chancellor is appointed by the University Council, is responsible through the Chancellor and Chairman of the Council for the leadership and management of the University and works closely with the Council in the exercise of its governance roles of strategic oversight, ensuring effective overall management and ensuring responsible financial management. The Vice-Chancellor is therefore accountable to the Council for the implementation of all its decisions. The Vice-Chancellor must be able to clearly articulate the vision of the University of Guyana as Guyana’s national University, focusing on achieving critical mass and concentration in research disciplines of national importance.

The candidate must lead the University in providing the highest quality teaching and learning environment, responding innovatively to the changing needs of students and equipping them with the skills to be the leaders of tomorrow, nationally, regionally and internationally.

The Vice-Chancellor is responsible for leading a large and diverse organisation in such a manner as: 1. To develop and manage the human, financial, and physical resources of the University to meet its strategic goals; 2. To ensure the risk management and compliance programmes across the University’s diverse functions, activities and entities meet the highest standards of ethics, financial probity and corporate governance; 3. To ensure that the critical relationships with key stakeholders within the University community – including statutory officers, staff and students, unions and alumni – are enhanced and maintained and are always in accordance with the provisions of the University Act, Statutes, and Policy Directions of the University Council. 4. To ensure that the University meets all requirements for national registration; to ensure that the University meets all requirements for relevant accreditation and maintains such accreditation where necessary.

Additionally, the Vice-Chancellor is responsible for leading effective engagement with government at all levels, and with other external stakeholders in the political, business, education, philanthropic, and national communities. The Vice-Chancellor is responsible for maintaining and enhancing the University’s reputation through effective communication and advocacy, directly and through the media, to all relevant stakeholders and the general public. The candidate must foster and develop strategic alliances and partnerships both nationally and internationally, including strengthening key alliances with selected universities.

The tenth Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ivelaw Griffith, had made an unceremonious exit from the institution following widespread public anger over his stewardship. At the time of his leaving the UG Council was considering whether his contract would have been renewed, but, by way of a correspondence, he withdrew his previous request for a renewal of his contract. Nonetheless, with him demitting, a Transitional Management Team was put in place to manage the affairs of the academic institution.