The UWI Regional Headquarters, Jamaica – The University of the West Indies (The UWI) community joins the Mona Campus in mourning the passing of Professor Edwin S. Jones, who was ailing for an extended time. He passed away on March 10.
In a statement from The UWI, Principal and Pro Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dale Webber said: “We mourn the passing of a UWI giant, Professor Edwin Jones whose contribution to the Faculty of Social Sciences and MSBM has been tremendous. Edwin was a teacher, researcher, administrator, mentor and a friend. Many lives have been positively influenced by Professor Jones and The UWI, Jamaica, the Caribbean and the world are poorer for his passing.”
Jones joined The UWI Mona as a lecturer in the Department of Government in 1973, and rose to the position of senior lecturer four years later (1977). He was promoted again, to head of the Department in 1980, and then to University and Campus Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences in 1987. In 1990 he was appointed Professor of Public Administration, according to the statement.
He read for his teaching diploma at the Mico Teachers College. Jones then studied economics at The UWI, Mona and obtained his PhD in Public Administration at the University of Manchester.
“Jones was well-known for his expertise in public management and development internationally. He published several books on civil service management including: Coalitions of the Oppressed: Interest Groups in Colonial Political Systems, Development Administration: Jamaican Adaptations; Employee Morale in Jamaican Civil Service (which he co-authored) and his last book, Contending with Administrivia: Competition for Space, Benefits and Power. He published more than 30 articles in local, regional and international academic journals and upwards of 20 reports which shaped the social services throughout the Caribbean as we know it today.
“His academic career spans the globe, from being Visiting Research Scholar at Florida State University, the London Business School, the University of Texas, Austin to serving as teaching assistant at the University of Manchester and lecturer at the University of Zambia.”
The statement said his “eminent contribution to public service was recognised by his colleagues and his countrymen”. In 1998, Jones received a National Honour: The Order of Distinction in the Commander Class for his contribution to The UWI and public service; in 2005, he received the Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Public Service and in 2007, he received the Order of Jamaica for excellence in academia and public service. In 2006 he was appointed Professor Emeritus of Public Administration at The UWI Mona.
The UWI has extended condolences to his family, colleagues and friends in their time of bereavement. (PR)
