Archibald Gordon

Education, Youth and Information Minister Senator the Honourable Ruel Reid has said he is thrilled to learn of the latest partnership between the Caribbean Maritime University, CMU, and Kingston Wharves Limited, KWL.

Senator Reid was speaking on Wednesday at the launch of the Dr. Grantley Stephenson Professorial Chair in Logistics and Port Management at the CMU.

The launch took place at the Corporate Offices of KWL in Kingston.

Commenting on the initiative Senator Reid asserted that “as Jamaica positions itself to become a major logistics and transshipment hub to increase the volume of business that passes through our ports annually, the latest tripartite collaboration between KWL, the Caribbean Maritime University and the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information is a major step towards achieving this goal.”

He added that “investment in infrastructure is critical and equally so is the investment in capacity building and training persons at all levels of the industry. I am therefore thrilled to learn of this latest initiative by KWL to strengthen the existing relationship between the Caribbean Maritime University and Kingston Wharves Limited.”

The Chair will be held jointly by CMU President Professor Fritz Pinnock and CMU Deputy President, Professor Ibrahim Ajagunna – two of the foremost researchers in Logistics and Port Management in the region.

In addition to conducting research projects, Professors Pinnock and Ajagunna will lend their considerable expertise to providing strategic and leadership support for the KWL during the engagement which is scheduled to last from May 2018 to April 2021 and is open to being renewed.

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A new Professorial Chair has been launched at the Caribbean Maritime University, CMU, in partnership with Kingston Wharves Limited, KWL.

The Dr. Grantley Stephenson Professorial Chair in Logistics and Port Management was launched at a ceremony at KWL Wednesday afternoon.

Dr. Stephenson is the Chief Executive Officer of KWL – a key partner of the CMU.

The Chair will be held jointly by two of the foremost researchers in Logistics and Port Management in the region – CMU President Professor Fritz Pinnock and CMU Deputy President, Professor Ibrahim Ajagunna.

Commenting on the rationale behind the launch of the Professorial Chair, the KWL CEO said “Kingston Wharves is pleased to partner with the CMU on this very important undertaking. This step is in keeping with our pioneering role and deep interest in Jamaica fulfilling its potential as a logistics destination and leading in the growth of the industry regionally. ”

He added, “we firmly believe that any moves we make to develop Jamaica as a logistics hub, must be underpinned and guided by research and empirical data that will inform how we build.”

Dr. Stephenson also praised the CMU and Professor Pinnock in particular for working to deepen understanding  and helping to drive exploration of the wealth of opportunities in the sector.

For his part, Professor Pinnock observed that “Logistics and Port Management represent critical aspects not just of the Jamaican economy, but indeed the regional economy and the CMU is impressed by the bold step taken by KWL, under the leadership of Dr. Stephenson, to support research in this area,”

In addition to conducting research projects, Professors Pinnock and Ajagunna will lend their considerable expertise to providing strategic and leadership support for the KWL during the engagement which is scheduled to last from May 2018 to April 2021 and is open to being renewed.

Professors Pinnock and Ajagunna have written and published over 75 industry-related peer reviews and international journal articles in multiple languages including French, Spanish, German and Chinese.