Dr. Francis O. Severin appointed Director of UWI’s Open Campus Country Sites

Dr. Francis Severin
Dr. Francis Severin

The University of the West Indies (UWI) Appointments Committee has approved Dr. Francis O. Severin as Director of the Open Campus Country Sites (OCCS) Division of the UWI Open Campus. A national of the Commonwealth of Dominica, Dr. Severin is the new Director of the OCCS, effective October 1, 2013.

He brings extensive knowledge and experience to the position, having commenced his career with The University of the West Indies on January 1, 1999 as Project Officer in the Office of Administration and Special Initiatives (OASIs), Vice Chancellery, based at Mona in Jamaica. In that role, Dr. Severin was responsible for, inter alia, managing the University’s Alumni Relations, conducting research to gather baseline data for the UWI’s science and other initiatives, and writing or co-writing several proposals and special papers/reports, including the Reformulation of UWI’s Alumni Relations, Report on Policy and Procedures on Sexual Harassment and the UNESCO/Commonwealth Chair in Education and HIV/AIDS, among others. That beginning role provided him with an early insight into the operations and governance of the University as he had to relate to all sixteen countries served by the UWI.

He then returned to Dominica in August 2005 to assume the post of Resident Tutor/Head of the School of Continuing Studies (SCS). Consistent with the tenor of his abiding commitment to education and intellectual development/stimulation as a guaranteed avenue to economic development and enhancement of people’s self-esteem, he continued to build on the traditional UWI culture of “beyond the walls” educational appeal in Dominica through the annual distinguished/memorial lecture series that he initiated as Head of Open Campus Dominica Partnering with relevant public and private sector institutions and groups for cultural development purposes has been another highlight of his tenure as Head. The growth and development of the site, increased access to quality higher education and raising the profile of the University in Dominica, are other accomplishments of Dr. Severin as the University’s representative.

He, therefore, brings to the Office of Director a broad perspective that embraces the UWI-3 and UWI-12. In 2010, Dr. Severin became the Public Orator for the Open Campus, succeeding Dr. Lennox Bernard after his retirement. Dr. Severin has acted as the Director, Open Campus Country Sites (OCCS) for an accumulated period of thirteen months.

In the last two of the three formal spells that he served in that capacity (May and June 2012 and August 1, 2012 to March 31, 2013, the latter period arising when Dr. Luz Longsworth transferred to Mona’s Western Jamaica Campus to lead operations there), he steered OCCS through a period of challenge, novelty and “restlessness” during the major accreditation visitation processes. He will now assume the post of Director for four years in the first instance, as is the norm for Deans.

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35 Comments

  1. Intelligencia
    October 2, 2013

    Dr. Severin I have already congratulated you in another forum, however more positive messages are never too much. Well done for Domiinica, family, yourself and humanity at large.
    You have no idea how much you have influenced my ability for continuing education.
    I know you will do a fantastic job. Keep climbing bro!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  2. Attitude
    October 2, 2013

    Congrats Dr. Proud of you.

  3. UWI OC STUDENT
    October 1, 2013

    Congratulations Sir. We miss you in DA but what. You are perfectly relocated.

  4. eyeswideshut
    October 1, 2013

    Congratulations Mr. Severin. Keep walking and guiding your family in good light

  5. Positive
    October 1, 2013

    Congratulations Dr. Severin my mentor. Always admire this man, we worked together for a short while at Parcel Post and I knew he would go places and rise to the highest level in his career path.
    Best wishes Dr Severin in your endeavours.
    You would have been an excellent President as well. I am keeping my eyes on you as a future President. God Bless you.

  6. sert
    October 1, 2013

    Congratulation Sir. You should have been number one on gov’t list for president. They don’t like good people. You have to be qualified in crookery and cookery.

    • Anonymous
      October 1, 2013

      who tell you the man want that??? smh

  7. Onlooker
    October 1, 2013

    Congratulations Dr. Severin.

  8. Bennette Thomas
    October 1, 2013

    Congratulations Dr Severin

    Well done and indeed very humble. Continue the good work and remember your Creator.

  9. Edgar Hunter
    October 1, 2013

    Congrats Dr Severin.

  10. Roger Burnett
    October 1, 2013

    Congradulations Dr. Severin. You are a man I deeply admire and respect.

  11. Matriculation
    October 1, 2013

    Congrats Doctor Severin! Please keep some of your influence close to Dominica if you can. Dominica still needs your talent. Please continue to write and inspire.

  12. Justice and Truth
    September 30, 2013

    Congratulations Francis on your higher position. It goes to show diligent studies and hard work do pay off in the end. You are an example the youths, students should emulate.
    Your wife, mom and other family members must be proud of you. I have not seen you for a few years; hope sometime soon.
    I remember you as a nice, friendly, humble and respectable person. No wonder, son of Webster (RIP) and Jean Severin. Nice people too. :) You were well-nurtured and disciplined which paid off educationally and career-wise.
    God bless you in your new position and future endeavors.

  13. 2013 UWI Graduant
    September 30, 2013

    Congrats Dr Severin- you deserve it. more so the President of our country.. :wink: :wink:

    • tsk!
      October 1, 2013

      can’t you just congratulate the man without being petty and blue?everything does not have to be political.
      Congratulations to you Dr Severin

  14. ISIDORA
    September 30, 2013

    Congrats Dr. Severin. Well deserved!!!

  15. Jaime Lewis
    September 30, 2013

    Congratulations to Dr. Severin. Best wishes for a successful career.

  16. One Love
    September 30, 2013

    Dominica’s loss – the World’s gain

    we miss your words of wisdom on Dominica’s national media –

    Not long from now We The People will elect an enabling government to replace these petty small-minded prima donnas
    Our new government that respects independent thinkers will use you to the fullest for the people’s benefit. CONGRATULATIONS to a “REAL” Dr.

  17. Hope
    September 30, 2013

    My favourite tutor back at CDCC … he carried himself with such grace. Congratulations! i continue to admire you

    • I KNOW
      September 30, 2013

      I concur. He taught me Sociology at C.D.C.C and is an excellent man. I have gone into academia because of his influence. I still find myself saying the things he use to say when I lecture my classes. Congrats sir.

  18. ???
    September 30, 2013

    Congrats to our very own son of the soil, Dr. Severin! All the best to you in your new position.

  19. Hmmm
    September 30, 2013

    Wow…great job

  20. nel
    September 30, 2013

    Congratulations Dr. Severin! Well deserved!!!

  21. Views Expressed
    September 30, 2013

    Dr, Severin……..your name has brought some semblance and decency as one who is honourable and sincere in your work in Dominica and the OECS region. Your Papa Severin and Mama Severin must be proud of you to achieve such this distinguished position. We respect you and your rise to this level, you have certainly earned it, and you make us Dominicans Proud.

    • Justice and Truth
      September 30, 2013

      His father passed away some years ago. I am closely affiliated with them. I would keep in touch and also wrote and telephone. Whenever I visited home I would visit them and would also have lunch with them. Great people!
      He is really a nice person, a product of his parents. I recall when he was younger, how obedient he was. He is a son parents would be proud of.
      His mother is a wonderful lady. I hate to mention this, she is ill. He has been taking care of her. He surely is a wonderful son. He deserves all that he has achieved and aspired to, to date with more to come. God bless him!

  22. Dominican in Saba
    September 30, 2013

    Congrats sir. A brilliant man with so much humility. This man is so humble it is amazing

  23. Jah guidell
    September 30, 2013

    Congrats Mr Severin. Where will hebe based. Another bright son of the soil..
    It would serve us well to remember the words of advice he gave to us Dominicans. “Another prophet with no honor in his own home”
    Look where we Dominicans are today.

    My people my people. He who has ears to hear let him hear

  24. Putting it Right
    September 30, 2013

    Congratulations and best wishes, Dr. Severin. Continue to head for higher heights in your profession. Your family must be very proud of you.

  25. Glo Chaud
    September 30, 2013

    Congratulations Doc Severin . You continue to make Dominica proud; I do hope you continue to keep your eye and ear on the ground in Dominica to steer us away from becoming little Jamaica.

  26. Anonymous
    September 30, 2013

    congratulations to you sir continue working for the development of uwi and the caribbean. god’s blessings and success in your this new position.

  27. Sylvester Cadette
    September 30, 2013

    CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU DR.SEVERIN, my dear friend and SMA schoolmate. May God bless you and your family and may your successes be many to our countries’ development – collectively and individually.

  28. Anonymous
    September 30, 2013

    Francis Severin for President

  29. Nature Spice
    September 30, 2013

    Congrats my friend and school mate. Wish you continued success.

  30. Deauditor
    September 30, 2013

    Congratulations are in order. I am just happy that the Government of Dominica (what’s left of it anyway) had no say in your appointment.

  31. tom
    September 30, 2013

    in time a president

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