Long Serving Staff

LONG-STANDING STAFF FEATURE

CAPTAIN DEVRON NEWMAN -

Captain Newman’s record within the institution began in September 1982 at the Jamaica Maritime Training Institution (JMTI) when he was a first-year navigation cadet. For him, the opportunity to study navigation was unconventional and seemed quite exciting, because a career at sea in those days was new to Jamaica.

When asked what the 40th anniversary meant to him, Newman replied, “The CMU 40th anniversary is a significant milestone in the history of our noble institution! And to witness its continued growth and development over the years, from a training institute with 30 students to a university with over 4,000 students today is indescribable for me!”

The naval pioneer went on to say that the change that stands out most in his mind since he started, was the Jamaicanization of the institution in 1993 when the institution had its first Jamaican Executive Director. One of Captain Newman’s biggest hopes is for the CMU is to one day see the construction of a Hall of Residence for cadets which he posits would allow for better training and a more comprehensive development of their careers. With a career at the university that almost spans the entire life of the institution, Captain Newman’s favorite thing about the CMU now is, “the re-organization and streamlining of the University’s structure and programmes so that it can truly become the global institution of choice for maritime education and training.”

LONG-STANDING STAFF FEATURE

Leslie Herron, the Senior Occupational Health and Safety officer, started his journey at the CMU in 1996 where he was appointed as Assistant Safety Officer. He assisted with safety courses as well as improving the environment and ensuring the safety of the surroundings.

Mr. Herron also had a few stints in the classroom delivering courses such as Basic and Advanced Firefighting, Basic and Advanced First Aid, Personal Safety and Survival at Sea.

In the past, whenever there was a Natural Disaster such as a hurricane, Herron had to remain on campus to safeguard the safety of the premises and ensure the safety of the students who were living on campus at the time, who were not fortunate enough to get back to their homes in time.

“My most memorable moment at the CMU was the first graduation that I experienced on campus”, said the safety savant, as he was called upon to help in its preparation and had done a backdrop for the ceremony.

Herron hopes for the CMU, another 40 years filled with groundbreaking discoveries, campus expansion and a safer university community.

SELMA WILLIAMS-

Miss Selma Williams came to Caribbean Maritime University on the 30th of March in 1998. This was after working in the Shipping fraternity with companies like Metro Investments Limited and Lannaman & Morris Group of Companies from 1992 to 1997. She had returned to Jamaica from overseas and wanted to return to working in Shipping. “Luckily, I learnt of a vacancy at Jamaica Maritime Institute (at the time) in the Administration Department and was successful in my application,” said the consummate administrator.

When asked what the 40th anniversary meant to her, Williams told The Anchor that “it is a symbol of strength and unity. Out of these 40 years I have spent 22 years here, and I can say we have come a far way as an Institution. It is worthy to note that this maritime training project had commenced with the Norwegians. The Norwegians had also set up other projects in the Caribbean and Africa. To date the CMU is the only surviving project, so it is an accomplishment.”

Miss Williams mentioned that she has seen many changes in her tenure here, but she said the biggest and by for her favorite change was in 2017 with the transformation of the institution to a University, “This put us in a new league to better capture the global market in Maritime, Logistics and allied education.”

The Administration Manager’s biggest desire for the university is to see normalcy restored to the CMU. “I want the brand re-established with a level of integrity for both staff and students. I would like to see a return to the enrollment interest boom of 2016/2017 with many prospective students eager to apply. Our graduates’ professionalism and integrity should be the hallmark and legacy of the CMU.”

The CMU administrator said despite administrative and leadership challenges, top-quality teaching and learning continue for the students. “I am also glad to be able to play an active role in student development by assisting with annual resume writing workshops, career week and any Human Resource areas in their projects.”

- By Jovan Clough