The University of the West Indies takes this opportunity to advise that The Most Honourable Edward Philip George Seaga, former Leader of the Opposition in Jamaica, has accepted an invitation to serve as Honorary Distinguished Fellow at the Professorial level in the School for Graduate Studies and Research upon his retirement from active politics. Mr Seaga has had a distinguished career in the national, regional and international political arenas, and is the longest-serving Parliamentarian in Jamaica, having been appointed to the Upper House in 1959 and elected to the Lower House, as the Representative of Western Kingston, in 1962. He served as Prime Minister of Jamaica from 1980 to 1989 and has been Leader of the Opposition from 1989 until his recent retirement.

Mr Seaga’s contribution to the development of Jamaica is impressive and without dispute. He has established, encouraged, promoted or introduced several institutions covering a wide range of fields – in agriculture, community development, financial and tax management, human resource training, social and cultural development – which are today ingrained features of modern Jamaican life. The University therefore hopes to draw on Mr Seaga’s tremendous knowledge and experience for the purposes of teaching, research and outreach services in the area of Development Studies.

Similar appointments have been made in the past, where former senior politicians and public servants, such as Sir Erskine Sandiford (at the Cave Hill Campus, Barbados), Mr William Demas (at the St Augustine Campus, Trinidad & Tobago) and the Most Honourable Michael Manley (at the Mona Campus), were invited to serve as Distinguished Fellows. Former Vice Chancellors, Sir Alister McIntyre and Prof the Hon Rex Nettleford as well as the former Chancellor, Sir Shridath Ramphal, are currently also serving in this capacity. And the opportunity will continue to be grasped, of inviting distinguished political, business and public leaders, upon retirement, to share with our students and faculty members their knowledge and experience. In this way, the educational and research environment of the institution and, by extension, the Caribbean community will be significantly enhanced.

The University of the West Indies is pleased to welcome on board the Most Honourable Edward Seaga and is confident that his presence will stimulate and enrich the intellectual climate at the Mona Campus.