Professor Kenneth Hall Appointed GG

Professor Kenneth Hall, Pro Vice Chancellor and Principal of the Mona Campus of the University will be sworn in as Jamaica’s fifth Governor General at a ceremony to be held at King’s House on Wednesday February 15, the same day on which the incumbent Governor General Sir Howard Cooke will proceed on retirement.

Prime Minister P.J. Patterson made the disclosure at the weekly post cabinet press briefing held at Jamaica House on Monday (Jan 23). In making the announcement Mr. Patterson said that in accordance with the Constitution and on the approval of Cabinet, a request had been made to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth ll to appoint Professor Hall as her representative in Jamaica and that she had indicated her acceptance of the recommendation.

A former Deputy Secretary General of the CARICOM Secretariat, Professor Hall was appointed Pro Vice Chancellor and Principal of the Mona Campus of the UWI in 1996. Under his leadership the Mona campus has been transformed academically and administratively to enable it to create the human and technological capacities necessary for the training of students who can compete in the global environment.

Among his specific accomplishments for the period were increased access to the UWI, the creation of a more student-centred institution, continued curriculum reform and new endowed professorships financed through private sector endowments.
In 2004, the Government of Jamaica conferred on him the Order of Jamaica for his significant contribution to education and regional development.