Photos by Kyle MacPherson
George Roper, senior vice-president of academic affairs, at the age of 71 is on the brink of retirement for a second time from the University of Technology.
Avia Collinder, Outlook Writer
After years spent dusting chalk off his hands and even more spent pursuing the intriguing challenge of designing development programmes for the University of Technology (UTech), George Roper, senior vice-president of academic affairs, is ready to go back to planting roses.
The end of the academic year 2007 to 2008 will mark the second time this man has retired his academician's hat.
At age 65, after ending his tenure, he was asked to return to continue the programme of improving UTech's academic offerings.
Aversion to idleness
George Roper has worked for 46 years as an educator, and says he has enjoyed every day that he has walked into his office on the university campus. He explains that he has been able to embrace the life-long commitment because of an aversion to idleness.
George Roper has been the happy executor of the dreams of three university presidents, all of whom came to the university with a different vision, that each resulted in tasks which the science teacher-turned-administrator embraced wholeheartedly.
Roper has always loved a challenge, starting with the day when a science teacher at Titchfield High School walked into his sixth-form class and asked him to take over some of the school's science classes, on the retirement of a member of staff.
Ensuring that the product and services that UTech offers are of an acceptable quality and meet reciprocal acceptance standards internationally, courses at the university are scrutinised by the University Council of Jamaica which, in turn, is a member of the international accrediting body.
Teaching staff must all possess a master's degree and the university is now moving towards terminal qualification, which is ensuring that staff members have PhDs.
Master's degrees
"When we started out as a university in 1995, less than 50 per cent of staff had master's degrees. Today, in 2008, 98 per cent have their master's degrees and a substantial number their doctorates. The University Council is also concerned with the qualifications of students, the quality of the curriculum, assessment methods, classroom infrastructure and academic and welfare support provided to students." Millions, Mr Roper states, have been spent in upgrading facilities and programmes.
He enjoys the challenge which was placed before him, and asked whether he misses the classroom he states, "Once a teacher, always a teacher." He has not taught since 1992 but states, "I have found a certain satisfaction in what I do."
In his current role, George Roper assesses UTech's contribution to the field of education thus: "We supply all the technical teacher education in the island. This is a key area for national development."
He notes that the programmes which the university offers, such as architecture, pharmacy, medical technology, nutrition, child care and development, and dietetics are unique.
"UTech has been known for its graduates who leave work-ready. We integrate what is taught in the classroom with internships on the job. When they are employed, they are already acclimatised. Every student, additionally, has to do 45 hours of community service and give back something to the society."
George Roper has contributed much to nation building in his 42 years of distinguished service to education, his peers at UTech note.
Starting out as a junior science teacher at his alma mater, Titchfield High School, in 1959, he rose to head of department, before joining the staff at Excelsior High School in 1965. In 1970, he was appointed chemistry lecturer at the then College of Arts, Science & Technology (now UTech).
Later, he became head of department, vice-president and the first senior vice-president, academic affairs, at UTech. The position was renamed deputy president/vice-president Academic Affairs and Quality Assurance in August 2007.
Peer review rating
His peer review rating notes, "Mr Roper is professional to the core, demonstrates the integrity of purpose, dedication to duty, and unwavering commitment to task completion, characteristic of his personality. The new academic and administrative structures reflect his vision, ideals and resourcefulness. Always on the quest for quality assurance, his watchword is 'benchmarks'."
George Roper has also been influential in his parallel role of coordinator of UNESCO's Sub-Regional Seminar for Environmental Education in the Caribbean.
He has also served the national community on the Council of the Community Colleges of Jamaica and with the Jamaica Association of Health Service Executives, National Council on Drug Abuse, with the Ministry of Health's Task Force on Training and Education for Health sector Occupations, the Science Board of Studies, University Council of Jamaica and the Academic Board of the School of Medical Radiation Technology, University Hospital of the West Indies.
In May 2001, UTech presented George Roper with the Distinguished Service Award for his contribution to the university, and in 2002 he was awarded the Order of Distinction (Officer Class) by the Government of Jamaica for distinguished service to education.
Now, with retirement so near, George Roper discusses his love of gardening, photography, a good game of dominoes and time spent with family, which includes four grandchildren.
Married in 1965 to Audrey, now a retired insurance executive, he is the father of Nadine Roper, an accountant, and Stacey Roper, a businesswoman.
"I may go back to writing science workbooks and I might do consultancies - if asked - on a part-time basis," the academic opines, when questioned about his plans for the future.
"I must be doing something every day," he explains.
"I am always trying to improve what I do. I am always looking at adding new features, so I am never bored."
