KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Council of the University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech) Thursday morning announced the appointment of Professor Colin Gyles as Deputy President of the institution.

The appointment, UTech said, took effect on January 5, 2015 and is for a period of five years.

UTech in a release said that the deputy president is the most senior vice-president, “tasked to exercise and perform the functions and duties of the president in the event of absence during a vacancy in the office of the president”.

Professor Gyles is expected to head the Academic Affairs Division of the University and shall be directly responsible to the president for the development, co-ordination and implementation of curricula and instruction within the University.

He will also be responsible for academic leadership by ensuring that academic planning and delivery with respect to curricula, teaching, research, creative activities and related academic service requirements are met and are of superior quality in the Colleges and Faculties and areas of Academic Management, the UTech release said.

Professor Gyles brings to the post extensive experience both locally and internationally, with knowledge of academia, industry and Government policy, combined with a track record of achievement. He holds a PhD in Chemistry, with a multidisciplinary focus, from the University of the West Indies (UWI), the release added.