The University of the Commonwealth Caribbean (UCC)—the largest private non-affiliated higher educational institution in Jamaica with over 7,000 students locally—has appointed Dr Haldane Davies as president, effective September 15, 2022.

In making the announcement, Dr Winston Adams, group executive chairman of the UCC Group of Companies, said Davies succeeds Professor Dennis Gayle in the role as UCC president.

Gayle has since assumed the position of UCC Chancellor, effective Thursday (September 1).

“The UCC is pleased to welcome Dr Davies who is the former vice-president for business development at the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) where he served with distinction for the last sixteen years and was instrumental in securing major multi-million dollar grants and contracts, helping to initiate numerous high priority projects and enhancing the UVI’s presence in the Caribbean region and beyond through various partnership agreements,” noted Adams in a media statement.

“Dr Davies also contributed to the strengthening of the UVI through his leadership of its business & consulting arm, the Institute for Leadership and Organizational Effectiveness, and more recently with the expansion of the Center for Excellence in Leadership and Learning (CELL).  He is a former executive director of the Foundation for the University of the Virgin Islands (FUVI) and helped shape & drive important policies as a member of the president’s cabinet”, he explained further.

Davies also serves as first vice-president of the Association of Caribbean Tertiary Institutions (ACTI).

Responding to the announcement of his appointment, Davies 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 & the UCC Global Board of Advisors for the confidence placed in me to lead the University 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,” Davies added.

Davies holds a Doctor of Philosophy degree in educational administration with a focus on higher education from Andrews University in the United States and a Master’s degree in education.

He is a business strategic planner, certified mediator and PULSE practitioner, trainer, accreditation evaluator, competency assessor, and former member of the Baldrige Board of Examiners and holds certifications in related areas from Harvard University, Cornell University, the University of the West Indies, and Yale University.

Dr Donald Rooms, chairman of the UCC Board of Directors, said “Haldane’s career in the private and public sectors 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 30 years of service to Jamaica in higher education.  We anticipate his contributions along with the UCC team in continuing to create new and innovative opportunities for income generation through additional targeted expansion globally, enhancing sustainability and the further growth of strategic partnerships, contract acquisitions and entrepreneurial activity.”