Cohen to work pro bono as UWI project lead

Chartered accountant and career banker Dennis Cohen is to work for free as he leads a broad-based transformational group at the Mona campus of the University of the West Indies.

Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Principal of UWI Mona Professor Densil Williams says the conceptualisation of the university’s Operation RTG project, focussing on its restructuring, transformation and growth, is a real-life representation of efforts to reform the UWI as a business.

“We’re looking at all our processes by making sure we’re more efficient in the way we do business: how we serve our customers, (meaning) our students; how we serve our staff, and interact with the wider public,” Professor Williams told the Financial Gleaner.

Regarding Cohen, who shared in the $3-billion salary paid annually to executive directors of NCB prior to their exit from the bank this year, Williams said his work on the RTG project would be “a completely pro bono activity. This is really service that he’s giving to his alma mater and to his country”, the UWI principal added.

Operation RTG will involve a comprehensive review of critical portfolios within the Office of the Campus Principal, the Registry, the Bursary, and the Office of the Deputy Campus Principal.

Cohen will chair an executive committee on which the principal, bursar, the registrar and a member of the teachers’ union will also sit.

Another broad-based working committee will report to the executive committee and will draw membership from key groups, such as faculty, administration, student leadership, along with technical and specialist areas.

The RTG programme will be taking a close look at student recruitment, retention and success, the aim being to “identity the best talent and manage that talent towards their own success”, Williams said.

Cohen was deputy CEO and chief financial officer at NCB Financial Group, operator of Jamaica’s largest commercial bank.

“I’m eager to contribute to the transformation at my alma mater, paving the way for sustainable growth and innovation in the higher-education market,” he said.

Williams says implementation of the first phase of the RTG project is expected to begin in August 2024. As to the expected timeline for Cohen’s involvement, the UWI principal said the banker would remain on board for as long as needed.

Cohen’s committee will make recommendations, but the university will decide on the execution of the programme.

“Whatever recommendations are made and are ready for implementation, there is a clear and defined governance structure based on our statutes and ordinances, and we have to follow those carefully,” Williams said.

business@gleanerjm.com