UWI appoints 4 men: What is the message for women?

Women comprise 60 per cent of the student body at the University of the West Indies (UWI), but they recently appointed four men to executive management roles. This action was stated in a recent news release. Two things concern me: gender equality and the appointment of Robert Riley, who is under public scrutiny for his role at Massy.

The appointment of the four men raises serious concerns about gender balance and representation. Interestingly, two of these men are succeeding women. This marks a shift in leadership and appears to disregard the progress made toward gender equality. The appointed men are Mr. Robert Riley, Professor Derek Chadee, Campus Bursar  Mr. Kevin Kalloo and Pro Vice-Chancellor for the Board of Undergraduate Studies, Professor Canute Thompson. 

What message is UWI sending to its students, particularly the young women who aspire to leadership roles? Why has UWI, under the leadership of a female principal chosen to fill these key positions exclusively with men? One would have thought that she had broken the glass ceiling but she appears to be on a glass cliff.

To my mind, this decision reflects a male-dominated, autocratic approach that dismisses the contributions and potential of women. It perpetuates outdated stereotypes, suggesting that women should be limited to following instructions rather than stepping into leadership. Yet, beyond the walls of UWI St. Augustine, times have changed, and gender equality is no longer just an ideal but an expectation.

When Chancellor Dr. The Most Honourable Dodridge D. Miller appointed Mr. Robert Riley as Chair of the St. Augustine Campus Council for a five-year term, did he fully consider Riley’s track record? Beyond Riley’s role at Massy Holdings, he was also on the Petrotrin Board when the refinery was shut down in 2018. Six years later, this vital national asset remains closed with no clear plan for reopening or sale.

Additionally, Riley’s tenure at Massy Holdings has seen financial difficulties. Massy recently had to make a $175 million provision for bad debt linked to the NiQuan gas-to-liquids project—a venture that serves as yet another example of poor decision-making. These instances raise questions about whether Riley is the best candidate to lead the university council.

These decisions prompt a critical inquiry: is this the kind of leadership UWI wants for its students? Were there no other qualified candidates with a stronger track record and a commitment to inclusive leadership? The choice to exclude women from these senior roles is especially troubling given that women have outnumbered men among UWI graduates for over a decade. This lack of female representation at the executive level seems incompatible with UWI’s historical commitment to equal opportunity and progress.

As a UWI graduate and a former adjunct lecturer for 18 years, I find this development deeply disheartening. A university’s role extends beyond education; it should embody and reflect the values it seeks to instil in society. In an era when gender parity in leadership is widely recognized as essential, UWI’s actions send a conflicting and discouraging message. For UWI to remain relevant, it must align its leadership practices with the principles of equality and inclusion it claims to uphold. Only then can it truly serve as a leader in shaping the future.