Former Prime Minister of Jamaica, Bruce Golding, is to serve as an Honorary Distinguished Fellow at The University of the West Indies (UWI), effective February 1, 2014.

The 5-year non-salaried appointment will afford Mr Golding an opportunity to undertake empirical research and to offer recommendations with emphasis on public administration and economic development. He is also expected to develop vital linkages between the public and private sectors with a view to identifying and promoting practical areas for dynamic collaboration.

In addition, Mr Golding will work to:

• Strengthen the linkages between research and policy to enable the latest research findings to be reflected in high level policy discussions and to be made available to decision-makers within the region
• Operationalize theoretical research findings and recommendations
• Develop a system of documentation of best practices worldwide to improve the social and economic system in Jamaica and the Caribbean region on the whole.

A group of corporate citizens have committed to underwrite expenses associated with Mr Golding’s work.

The University of the West Indies has traditionally invited 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.

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) , the Most Honourable Michael Manley and the Most Honourable Edward Seaga (at the Mona Campus, Jamaica), were invited to serve as Distinguished Fellows. Former Vice Chancellors, Sir Alister McIntyre and Prof Rex Nettleford as well as the former Chancellor, Sir Shridath Ramphal, have served in this capacity.