Dr. Francis O. Severin re-appointed as Public Orator for The UWI Open Campus

Dr. Francis O. Severin
Dr. Francis O. Severin

Office of the Director, OCCS, Jamaica. July 10, 2016. Dr. Francis O. Severin has been re-appointed as Public Orator for The University of the West Indies (UWI) Open Campus for three years, with effect from August 1, 2016. His re-appointment was made official by the University Finance and General Purposes Committee (UF&GPC) at its meeting on May 27, 2016.

The Public Orator is a traditional official post at universities, especially those with an historical United Kingdom legacy like The UWI. The person in this position acts as the voice of the University during public occasions. Each campus of The UWI has its own Public Orator who prepares and delivers citations at University functions such as graduation and awards ceremonies and convocations.

Dr. Severin is the Director of the Open Campus Country Sites (OCCS), which acts on the University’s behalf primarily to serve fourteen (14) English-speaking Caribbean countries with higher and continuing education, research and outreach. He has been Public Orator of the Open Campus since 2010, when he succeeded the Campus’ first Public Orator, Dr. Lennox Bernard, who had retired the previous year.

He began 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), in the Vice-Chancellery, based at the Mona Campus in Jamaica. In August 2005, he assumed the post of Resident Tutor/Head of the School of Continuing Studies (SCS) in Dominica. During the period August 1, 2012 to March 31, 2013 he steered the OCCS through a period of transition, which included institutional accreditation visitation processes. He assumed the post of Director of the OCCS in October 2013.

Speaking on his re-appointment, Dr. Severin stated that, “ I am very happy that I can continue making a positive contribution to the Univerity as Public Orator of the Open Campus. I very much enjoy introduing and presenting a series of honorary graduands and distinguished guests. Over the years, my aim was to bring a mix of humour and seriousness in required speeches and discourses, using local imagery and dialects in writing both prose and verse. I am honoured to continue to provide my services as Public Orator.”

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21 Comments

  1. viewsexpressed
    July 18, 2016

    Great stuff, this achievement was through hard work, discipline, honesty and obedience to and discipline to study, loyalty. This achievement was not from some back street in India or Pakistan or NY, but through our own right here, UWI. My proud school.

    Congrats Dr. Severin God Bless. YOu are one of our heroes children, parents and citizens must emulate.

    Good Stuff

  2. July 15, 2016

    Tell the facts……don’t get me wrong I know dr. personally. Listen if the uneducated amongst us are not brought up to an educated standard…who are going to be the clientelle in Dominica for UWI??????? remember the stakeholders i.e the students must be at UWI doing programs so that the Doctor can continue to hold such pretigious position and earn that reasonable salary. Therefore ,he needs to help educated these people so they can value hard work and see the need to further themselves at UWI. It is a domino effect. Once again I congratulate the doctor

    • Tell the Facts
      July 15, 2016

      What I tried to relay to you is, did they not attend school? Some students did well and graduated. What happened to those who you referred to?
      You should know that there are some who did not apply themselves Granted, there are some who will need extra studies. These are performed while they are in school. Their teachers should know who had the aptitude and who did not. Granted, not all will excel.
      You must also view the wider picture. There are some students who continue to view a lot of TV and are always on the computer which is not related to their studies. Some of them are too involved – too much – in playing sports. They must realize that their studies come first and that time flies. Therefore, they must concentrate on their studies.
      There is a tendency to depend too much on others. People must help themselves and embrace the opportunity which is granted to them. Time lost cannot be regained. We adults know this too well.

  3. Sylvester Cadette
    July 15, 2016

    Congratulations my Dear Friend. From the Classroom of 102 at SMA in 1978, then through to 1983-85 while we were at Six Form, your ability and intellectual discuss has always been exemplary. Your logic, analysis, balanced opinion, fairness, compassion and passion to educate and share has always been your hallmark and indeed a rich boon for Dominica and the Caribbean Region.

    Continue steadfast in your excellent work and visionary endeavors. THANKS for such great service to the region and AGAIN- CONGRATULATIONS!!!

  4. syncronize
    July 15, 2016

    Congratulation to you is in order Dr. Francis Severin, you are making your name for Dominica and the UWI community. Since your departure however, we are lost as to what is happening here at UWI Open Campus with regards to Leadership. What has happened to Mr. Felix Wilson who was holding as Head since your departure, we need to know. Now the marketing lady has been speaking for the UWI campus here for the longest while and there seems to be some strange and quiet cloud hanging over the absence of Mr. Wilson. Please inform us.

  5. Tell the Facts
    July 14, 2016

    Congratulations Francis on your re-appointment. No doubt, your family in Dominica, T&T and elsewhere are proud of you. When I talk to those in T & T (this weekend) I will relay your re-appointment to them. They may have heard of it already. I can imagine how elated they are and happy for you.
    We have not spoken for a while, since your dear mother, Jean-White Severin passed on. If your dear parents (your father Webster) were alive how happy and proud they would be. They took an interest in you and your studies and you did not disappoint them. Well, they are praying for you from on high.
    I am happy for you that you continue to excel and enjoy your career.
    God bless you, your dear wife and daughter! Hope they are all doing well. Keep well!

  6. July 14, 2016

    while I congraluate you……I cannot help but think…….why are all this intelligent men sitting by and not moblizing and educating the less educated amongst them to stand and uproot this evil and corrupt regime. What are they afraid off. bonjour all have a child killing the country.

    • %
      July 14, 2016

      GOOD POINT!!!

    • Tell the Facts
      July 14, 2016

      “This intelligent men” as you stated were once youths who applied themselves, were diligent and excelled in their studies.
      Ask “the less educated amongst them” how well they applied themselves during their student days. They are still young and could pursue a similar channel. Do not depend on others to do it for you. We are all responsible for ourselves.
      Learn from people as Dr. Francis. I knew him when he was younger. It never crossed my mind, obviously, he would aspire to an intellect and a gentleman of status, still humble, to mention a few. This was noticeable in him during his youth.
      Note the position he holds. With that comes a reasonable income. He could put many in the shade.
      What I recall of him then, he was obedient and respectful. He has done well and is another Dominican-born who these young people should emulate. They could do it if they are diligent in their studies, be it in a different capacity as they consider their goal and future.

  7. Really?
    July 14, 2016

    Good job, Dr. Severin! Keep up the good work.

  8. Reasoning
    July 14, 2016

    :?: Haven’t heard your voice for a while,welcome back. This is one of the men who should be leading Waitukubuli, not the corrupt which we have as a prime mistake, who does not have a clue about governance. Then again, if i know the people of Dominica well,they may not want a decent man like Mr. Severin to lead the country :?: It’s two things i’ve noticed about Dominicans and i heard Mr.Nassief said one of them,is one,they don’t like when people work and earn,second is that they do not like intelligent people,foreigners have also told me. The reason I think is because they the masses are not bright people :?:

    • %
      July 14, 2016

      You must say corrupt and evil leaders.That’s how I describe them.

    • Tell the Facts
      July 14, 2016

      If you state he could lead the country, know that he would be a disciplinarian. This may be what Dominica needs to put you people in your places and teach you a good lesson of humility, obedience and respect which you appear to be lacking.

      • viewsexpressed
        July 18, 2016

        Yes….but you forgot one major FACT and that is to get rid of the corrupt Leadership of Skerrit in office and his bunch of inept ministers and so called loyalists and blind followers. Does any of this come close to home? Too much bobol and schemes of things going on. Who is knocking?

  9. July 14, 2016

    This is truly a Great Dominican .

  10. Janet
    July 14, 2016

    Congratulations!.

  11. July 14, 2016

    Well done Dr. Severin. I miss your presence in Dominica and look forward to meeting you again and putting the world- or at least Dominica – to rights.

  12. %
    July 14, 2016

    When I hear and/or read of personalities like Dr Severin,it reminds me that all is not lost in Dominica…You surely did NOT buy your doctorate on the black market,or on a populated street in the second most populated country on earth!
    BRILLIANT!!!!!!!!!

  13. Fly on the wall
    July 14, 2016

    Brilliant man with a brilliant mind… I have had the opportunity to dialogue with this man and it was my pleasure being in the presence of an intellectual who is so well grounded.

  14. NKRUMAH KWAME
    July 14, 2016

    Congrats Doc; keep on “orating”!!
    HOTEP!

  15. Anthony P. Ismael
    July 14, 2016

    A true public servant. Idealistic, confident and smart. Good job Dr. Severin.

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