Acting PS in Ministry of Tourism receives PhD

Jean-Jacques received the PhD from a University in Canada
Jean-Jacques received the PhD from a University in Canada

Permanent Secretary (Ag.) in the Ministry of Tourism and Urban Renewal, Gerard Jean-Jacques has earned the title of Doctor of Philosophy in Political Science.

The Université Laval in Quebec, Canada conferred the title of Doctor of Philosophy in Political Science on Jean-Jacques for successfully defending his thesis on May 9, 2016.

The thesis titled “Power relations and good governance: a social network analysis of the evolution of the Integrity in Public Office Act in the Commonwealth of Dominica,” focuses on the evolution of the Integrity in Public Office Act until 2008.

The main thrust of the thesis is power relations among rational actors who were involved in the evolution of the IPO. It investigated why Dominica developed and implemented that particular design of the IPO in 2003. Jean-Jacques found that rational actors who were quite aware of their positions within a network of actors used their power resources to shape the IPO so that it served them and their allies. For that body of work, Jean-Jacques received a grade of “Excellent Thesis”—the highest evaluation possible.

Dr. Jean-Jacques’ areas of academic specialization are public policy, public administration, governance, and public management with interest in democracy and power.

Jean-Jacques commenced his programme at Laval in Quebec, Canada in 2011. He returned to Dominica in 2013 to continue field research on the IPO.

Jean-Jacques started his career as a secondary school teacher, went on to become principal and was later promoted to Policy and Planning Officer in the Ministry of Education. From 2013, he worked in the Cabinet Secretariat in the Office of the Prime Minister as a Technical Officer for public policy before taking up the post of Permanent Secretary (Ag.) first in the Ministry of National Security renamed the Ministry of Justice, Immigration, and National Security, then in the Ministry of Tourism and Urban Renewal.

Dr. Jean-Jacques grew up on Cork Street in the capital city Roseau and is the son of Ruthine James, a janitor and roadside vendor and deceased Hubert Jean-Jacques, a farmer.

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49 Comments

  1. Factual
    June 7, 2016

    Since when comments has to be approved especially if its not infringing anyone rights. post my comment since i need to voice to be heard..if is that am good with DNO

  2. Truth revealed
    June 7, 2016

    Hmmm PHD

  3. Reader
    June 7, 2016

    Congratulations on this momentous achievement!

  4. Truth teller
    June 6, 2016

    Posted*

  5. Truth teller
    June 6, 2016

    Mr Gerald Jean Jacques. …….I will start respecting you when u actually gain the respect and admiration of the people who work under u right now….your department staff…..the set of people that you are trying to bully with your “I am in charge and no one else has an opinion” attitude…u need to realise that you are destroying the moral of the whole department , (it’s at an all time low)..and I have information to suggest that 95 prcent of your staff actually despise you and have high contempt for you because of your vindictive way of running the ministry…..u have created a very volatile atmosphere in this department and it is just a matter of time before everything blows up in your face…….learn to treat people as human beings mr Gerald Jean Jacques and u will see results…

    • Truth teller
      June 6, 2016

      If my comment is not poster. …I’m good with do. …cause this is a real true burning issue and needs to be aired

    • Oh Lawd
      June 7, 2016

      So very true…but there is nothing that will be done. People will come to the Ministry to work, and people will leave and this man will continue to be truly evil and wicked! God is good and everything and everyone has their time…

  6. Favoured
    June 6, 2016

    Jeanjacques Phd, I hope you hold lectures with the rest of your colleagues PS’s on openness and transparency in government, where governments are allowed to operate by laws and by policy. The fact is the legislature and executive have a duty to be fair and just when it comes public service. Jeanjacques PhD should be bold enough to say to PS colleagues and other custodians of public policy that corruption resulting in bad governance and government can only be possible if the same top civil servants such as the PS’s including the FS’s and others of similar rank facilitates, acts as the conduit and to be politically correct , provide the enabling environment for such corruption and bad governance to take place I am therefore looking forward to the impact of your input in the New dispensation of good governance in the public service.

  7. Favoured
    June 6, 2016

    Congratulations to Jeanjacques Phd; realise I did not say Dr. Jeanjacques because he is not a medical doctor but a doctor of philosophy. Now I went to a certain church a few weeks ago and the PM was in attendance and the priest went on to welcome the PM as doctor Skerrit and comparing him to other doctors in the congregation including priest who have obtain degrees similar to that of Jeanjacques PhD. knowing fully well what the PM has is an honorary doctorate. A title he knows is not to be used at such occasion. I sat there in amazement listen to the man of the cloth saying something that he knows is wrong and doing so from the pulpit. I mean the Monsignor which is a title equivalent to a PhD is there misleading his guest in the congregation and I said to myself OMG we are in trouble. I make this point to alert Jeanjacques PhD for the need to come from the walls of the public service to educate the masses on real governance and politics issues against those kinds wolves.

    • June 6, 2016

      I understand what you a saying but you didn’t do anything about it you allowed him to get away with it and PM enjoyed been called “”Dr “” when he knows that was wrong, whenever you go to service or meet the priest bring it to his attention so he will know that not every person in the congregation are stupid.

    • Too Hard Too Long
      June 7, 2016

      It is correct to say Dr. Jean Jacques and it is correct to say Jean Jacques PHD.

    • Favoured:

      Please be advised that a man with an earned Doctor of Philosophy degree in Political Science (Ph.D.) from an accredited university is legally a “doctor” and is entitled to be addressed as Dr. So-and -So just as we would use the title in referring o a medical doctor.

      Doctors of Medicine are not the only real and bona fide doctors. A person with an earned doctorate in any field is a “doctor” in his or her particular field and should be respected as such. A Doctor of
      Philosophy in Political Science (or any other academic discipline) is equal to a Doctor of Medicine.

      An honorary doctorate is sometimes award to somebody who a university is convinced has earned it by life experience. This is usually a person who has done significant work in a field and has made a meaningful contribution. Whether the person uses the title or is addressed as “Dr.” is optional. It is not out of order to address the person as Dr. So-and-So.

      Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Evangelist.

  8. Roseau River
    June 6, 2016

    Respect! Well done

  9. truththe
    June 6, 2016

    Congratulations Sir, you have studied hard you did not buy your Phd please use your doctorate wisely. Do not put your education under your feet . Proud of you. We the maginalized expect you to educate us on Democracy and corruption. Congratulations to your mum.

  10. My Dominica
    June 6, 2016

    Who does the government’s work??? Congrats! Nevertheless, it seem to be a trend to hold very important positions like P.S & Ambassador and still have time to attain a PHD. Waw! Who does the government’s work?

    • Take Note
      June 7, 2016

      Jealousy will kill all u………

    • Oh Lawd
      June 7, 2016

      The staff…. Then the PS and the Minister take it and make it their own.

  11. Neverson st jean
    June 6, 2016

    I hope there is a parade and block -o rama in roseau

  12. Frank Talker
    June 6, 2016

    Another Phd occupying a desk somewhere in the public service, never to be heard of again. He joins the ranks of Douglas, Serrant, Leblanc, Blaize, Bannis, Shillingford, and others whose Phd did not create any product or new service; did not improve our national competitiveness; did not change lives; did not transform public administration; and [note this one] did not rise beyond PS. I have no beef with you guys; but I am not impressed with your lack of entrepreneurial spirit. Use your Phds to transform lives. Create something new. Patent something. Champion a cause. Win a Nobel Prize. Lead an OECS or CARICOM initiative. Stop warming a chair in the public service, waiting on your gratuity.

    • June 6, 2016

      Alas, academic achievement and innovative creative thinking are seldom found in the same person. I say this without any disrespect for those who have studied long and hard for their academic qualification but to give credit to those with unrecognized and unschooled creative abilities.

  13. Ladyjay
    June 6, 2016

    CONGRATS my ex-classmate. proud of you.

  14. r o
    June 6, 2016

    I will congratulate when you speak out LOUD…

  15. Tj
    June 6, 2016

    Congratulations on attaining your doctorate degree

  16. Congratulations Dr. Gerard Jean-Jacques and welcome to the fraternity of esteemed, reputable and honourable Doctors from our precious Waitikubuli. As a Doctor specializing in public policy, public administration, governance, and public management with interest in democracy and power, I pray that you will use your education and expertise to educate our Dominican Citizens on the meaning of good governance, the TRUE meaning of DEMOCRACY, and the danger of corruption in Government. Dr. Jean-Jacques with your level of education it would be unwise of you to not exercise your independence and to continue to align yourself with a (one man) Government that goes squarely against the principles and ideologies of your academic specialty. I, for one, look forward to your lectures on good governance and your reason for distancing yourself from a rogue political regime. THIS MIGHT JUST PUT YOU IN LINE FOR THE SEAT OF PRIME MINISTER in the future.

  17. DRASTIC
    June 6, 2016

    Congrats to you Doctor. Will some of those policy makers be reading any part of your thesis?

  18. Dominican
    June 6, 2016

    Finally a REAL Doctor to be proud of. Weel done Dr. Jean-Jaques!

  19. UserName
    June 6, 2016

    Jean-Jacques found that rational actors who were quite aware of their positions within a network of actors used their power resources to shape the IPO so that it served them and their allies. Very interesting revelation based on scientific research.

  20. A
    June 6, 2016

    Congrats

  21. Fact
    June 6, 2016

    Is this some joke or what? all of a sudden Skeritt and his regime are emerging with PhDs. without ever sitting in a classroom. Did this doctorate focuses on “INTEGRITY IN PUBLIC OFFICE”? You should have a talk with your boss. lolol

    • PAKA Twavay
      June 6, 2016

      Though the same lol

    • me
      June 6, 2016

      your reading comprehension is quite poor

    • Take Note
      June 7, 2016

      alas.. not because you don’t have a doctorate that means you should be so bad at reading. Then if you know your reading and comprehension are so bad…. why even comment?

    • Oh Lawd
      June 7, 2016

      In local slang; ” Buh u doh see de man go n study n come back home to do research nor?” Maybe you will understand that better? SMH!

  22. Dominican
    June 6, 2016

    Proud of you sir, from teacher to Dr. born from hard working parents thanks for the inspiration

  23. Heartfelt
    June 6, 2016

    Good going Mr. Jean-Jacques. From a wonderful French teacher at Grammar School you have made it far. Congrats.

  24. Sugary One
    June 6, 2016

    Congratulations Jean-Jacques !!!

  25. lightbulb
    June 6, 2016

    “Dr. Jean-Jacques grew up on Cork Street in the capital city Roseau and is the son of Ruthine James, a janitor and roadside vendor and deceased Hubert Jean-Jacques, a farmer.”

    That is the best way you guys could convey that the man came from humble beginnings??
    Mah gway sa

    • Tjebe Fort
      June 6, 2016

      Hey Kamalla, who were honorary Dr. Skerrit’s parents? Or were they honorary also?

      • Me
        June 6, 2016

        Seriously, we never hear anyhting about Skerrit’s parentage, his siblings, his upbringing and so on. Why not? I he ashamed of his own family or did he simply arrive in a basket like Moses?

      • This news article is not about P.M. Skerrit. So why should info about his parents be given in either the article or the comments?

        Why would you even bring his name into it?

        Your comment is off message and out of line. But you seized the opportunity to take a swipe at your P.M. What you said has no content. It is downright silly. I am surprised DNO did not delete it.

        The same applies to some of the other comments that were posted today.

        Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Evangelist.

        Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Evangelist.

  26. enquire
    June 6, 2016

    Congratulations…..

  27. anonymous
    June 6, 2016

    well done sir….

  28. By stander
    June 6, 2016

    Great work Mr Jean Jacques..congratulations goes out to you

  29. nonamegal
    June 6, 2016

    humble beginnings. Blessings and congratulations.

  30. oh Yes
    June 6, 2016

    Congrats Dr. Jean-Jacques. You jave worked hard.

  31. Too Hard Too Long
    June 6, 2016

    Congratulations!!

  32. Cathy
    June 6, 2016

    Congratulations Dr. Jean-Jacques!

  33. dayandnightvision
    June 6, 2016

    DNO What does his parents occupation have to do with that?
    Couldn’t you just have mentioned their names? Gheeeezzzz!!!!!!!!!

  34. anonymous
    June 6, 2016

    great job. Laval, I enjoyed my time there. good school and surrounding community.

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