Fri | May 3, 2024

Briefing | The passing of colleague and friend - Colin Bullock: 1951-2017

Published:Tuesday | October 24, 2017 | 12:00 AM
Pause
File
2010: Presenters Colin Bullock (right), senior lecturer in the Department of Economics at the University of the West Indies; Dr Christine Clarke, director of economic planning and research at the Planning Institute of Jamaica; Darron Thomas (second left), assistant lecturer in the Department of Economics; and Dr Adrian Stokes, senior investment manager, JMMB, at a forum on the ‘Jamaican Economy – Implications of the IMF agreement’, at the UWI Main Library.
Norman Grindley
2005: Derick Latibeaudiere (right), then governor of the Bank of Jamaica (BOJ), in discussion with Colin Bullock, deputy governor, before the start of a quarterly meeting at the BOJ’s downtown Kingston offices.
x
2013: Patricia Daley Smith (left), auditor, KPMG; Colin Bullock, director general, Planning Institute of Jamaica and board chairman of the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF); and Scarlette Gillings, JSIF’s managing director, at the fund’s 17th annual general meeting.
File
Bullock
1
2
3
4

Today's Briefing is a tribute from the Department of Economics of the University of the West Indies (UWI) to the life of Colin Bullock, who served the country in many capacities as an economist.

 

The members of the Department of Economics of the University of the West Indies, Mona, wish to pay tribute to a stalwart, a man who has dedicated his life to the service of the country in the field of economics.

Mr Colin Bullock was a member of the Department of Economics (UWI, Mona) from 1974 to 1986. He was the introduction to economics for hundreds of students, those majoring in economics as well as others, as he taught the first-year introductory course in economics - Elements of Economics. This was a required course for all students in the Faculty of Social Sciences. Colin's easy-going manner, and his engaging teaching style led to an appreciation of economics for those studying the subject for the first time, and a reaffirmation of the beauty of economics for those who had started their study of it at A Level.

Second-year economics students had Colin again as a lecturer in Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory. Here, he continued to make economics a 'living subject' as he took students across the bridge linking economic theory to economic applications. He helped students in understanding the implications of government policy for economic outcomes.

 

RISE TO DEPUTY GOVERNOR

 

In 1986, Colin left the Department of Economics to join the Bank of Jamaica (BOJ). He held several positions there, rising to deputy governor. He was seconded from the BOJ in 2005 to the Ministry of Finance and Planning to become financial secretary. Colin was to return to the Department of Economics in 2008. He brought his experience in the public sector to the classroom in teaching public finance. He was a regular contributor on panel discussions hosted by the Department of Economics, a voice which was able to marry economic theory and the institutional features of the Jamaican/Caribbean economy.

Colin had intended to finish his career at UWI when he returned in 2008. This was not to be, as his country demanded his services once again in the public service. In 2013, he was asked to assume the duties of the director general of the Planning Institute of Jamaica. He remained a willing supporter of the Department of Economics.

Colin was loved and respected by his students and colleagues. He was definitely very student-friendly and remained in close contact with many of his past students, providing career guidance and moral support as they navigated life.

His quiet demeanour, caring personality, his decency as a human being, and generosity of spirit made him not only a colleague, but a friend. He walked among us and made us better for his being here. We are thankful for his contributions. Sleep well, Colin. You have run the race and finished your course.