Protecting the UTECH Brand

Protecting The UTech Brand

Utech was established by an Act of parliament in 1999 retroactive to Sept. 1995. Each year since then, the government of the day has committed to, and paid from the nation’s tax revenues, several million dollars in support of this national university.

During the period September 18, 2013 to September 25, 2013, concerns over what appeared to be poor fiduciary management, flagrant violations of established governance polices, and a perceived lack of transparency and fair play surrounding appointments and promotions, saw the academic union initiating a series of letters to the then President, Professor Errol Morrison. The Professor advised that the letters and the questions therein, were misdirected and would be better submitted to the office of the VP Human Resources. The advice was followed. After one month had passed with no response emanating from the VP HR, letters were then directed to the Minister of Education. Still no response.

On Thursday, September 19, 2013 the union staged a protest by wearing black and displaying placards in a formal function held in our campus auditorium. We were all invited guests at that function, so too were several other internal and external stakeholders for the University. The main speaker was Minister Ronald Thwaites, Minister of Education. In his address, Minister Thwaites responded to this action by declaring that the issues were internal and he had no intention of getting involved in the matter. At this juncture a new chapter was written in the history of UTECH. For the first time at the University all three unions which separately represent ancillary, administrative and academic staff moved to join forces and approach the issues as one body.

Less than two weeks later, on September 30, 2013 the joint union body placed a full page advertisement in the Gleaner:

By sunset that day Minister Thwaites had recanted. On that very Sunday afternoon, the Minister convened separate meetings with the union leadership and the government appointed members of the university’s council (these government representatives are placed on the university’s governing council to have oversight of the institution so as to protect government/tax payer’s interest). By Monday morning, the Minister had announced in the media, his intention to have the institution audited. Despite that announcement, there was no discernible/visible action from any audit team for several weeks. In the interim, Ambassador Derrick Heaven was appointed to head a committee which would investigate the issues at hand. As a result of that committee’s report, and without the benefit of an audit report, Professor Morrison was asked to leave the institution.

On June 1st 2014 Ambassador Burchell Whiteman began at UTECH as Acting President. The title reflects the fact that Professor Morrison still holds the position of President and will continue to do so until the expiry of his contract in February 2015. Ambassador Whiteman is therefore on an eight month contract and is expected to hold office until February 2015 when a new President is appointed.

On July 21, 2014 Ambassador Whiteman indicated that he was in receipt of 3 reports from the Ministry of Finance. It was later confirmed that these were the long awaited audit reports from the Ministry of Finance and Planning. At the time of writing this letter, those reports remain unavailable to the general membership of the union on whose initiative Minister Thwaites commissioned the audit. This situation continues to create anxiety, discomfort and distrust as after Professor Morrison’s departure the university now contends with a legacy which features:

1. a number of unacceptable policies and procedures,

2. ‘top brass’ who have benefited from irregular appointments and promotions, and to top it all,

3. ‘top brass’ who as paid guardians, remained ineffective as the survival of the UTECH brand was threatened by one violation after the other.

Minister Thwaites and Ambassador Whiteman have put their personal brands on display. What is to be expected on their watch? Is truth to be concealed behind a falsehood of transparency so the innocents can be branded as malcontents and trouble makers while those guilty of leading the university towards turmoil and destruction continue to be protected and rewarded? The Ambassador has made a commitment to the tri-partite union leadership for tangible action by September 30th. For their part the unions have remained peacefully expectant for these first four months of Ambassador Whiteman’s contract. Does peace and quiet so as to allow ‘business as usual’ mean justice and truth will be denied?

Those at UTECH responsible for molding and influencing the values of our future leaders of Jamaica land we love, should be careful not to model naivety, timidity, trepidation or self-serving attitudes. When called to stand by the words of our anthem/prayer seeking truth and justice in the face of adversity, oppression or personal threat, we must manifest Godly character with courageous humility, love and mercy.

Boss man, wha appen…. Ah tru wi nuh black di road mek yuh a hangle wi suh?????

Patrick Reid (Mr.)

Lecturer – SOBA

University of Technology, Jamaica

237 Old Hope Road

Kingston 6