Remembering Edwin Samuel Jones, OJ, CD

THE SUNDAY GLEANER, MAY 2, 2021 | FEATURE1 I I5 TRIBUTE TO PROF EDWIN JONES FEATURE PROFESSOR EDWIN JONES ... I T IS with a deep sense of remorse that I write this tribute to express public appreciation for the life of my friend and colleague for more than five decades, Prof Edwin Jones. Edwin and I firstmet as fellow students, residing in Chancellor Hall, on the Mona campus of The UWI. Subsequently, even though we were occasionally out of contact for periods, our friendship remained intact, as we pursued our different career goals. It is one of the special personality characteristics of Edwin that he maintained friendships which had been made in his youth, and he consistently took the initiative to ascertain how his friends were doing in both their personal and professional lives. Within the academic community, Edwin was best known for his research and teaching in the field of public sector administration. Edwin represented a friendly, supportive voice for junior colleagues and always had time to discuss issues, whether academic or personal. Edwin’s significant contribution to the work of the Faculty of Social Sciences, in upgrading the training of senior public-sector administrators, represented a continuation of the work of his mentor, Prof Gladstone (Charlie) Mills. Apart from his work in the training of public-sector administrators, Edwin made significant contributions by serving on the boards of several important bodies and institutions, such as the Planning Institute of Jamaica, the Services Commission and the Caribbean Maritime University. Even whilst holding Edwin in the highest esteem for his work as an academician and public servant, to me he was most outstanding because of the deep personal couragehedemonstrated in dealing with a disability challengewhichdrastically limited his physical mobility over the last 20 years of his life, forcing him to rely on a wheelchair to move around. However, this disability didnot curtailEdwin’s activities in any way – neither in terms of his academicoutput, norwithregard to his continued public service. However, most significantly, his sense of humour, often self- deprecating, and his zest for life remained intact. Furthermore, he was fully supportiveof hisMaria’s own extensive line of service activities. My deepest sympathies go out to his family, as they struggle to deal with the death of this special and unique human being. Edwin left an indelible and positive impression on the lives of all of us who became close to him. May his soul rest in peace! DR OMAR DAVIES Former Minister of Government ‘Friendly, supportive voice for junior colleagues’ DR OMAR DAVIES P ROF EDWIN Jones entered The UWI in 1964, two years after political independence, and gained a BSc in Economics with first class honours in 1967. In that same year, he was the winner of the N.N. Nethersole Prize for best performance in Government, and in 1968 gained the MSc in Government. From 1968- 1970, he did his PhD in public administration at the University of Manchester on a British government scholarship. Professor Jones worked at the University of Zambia from 1971 to 1973 before taking up the position of lecturer at UWI Mona in 1973. Hewas appointed professor of public administration in 1990.Hewas an excellent head of department from 1980-1986, and he spoke with a courtesy of manner that encouraged dialogue. Edwin Jones looked after the interests of his staff, and he had the ability to censor or criticise without it becomingpersonally offensive. He went on in 1987 to 1992 tobecome university and campus dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, where he gave outstanding leadership. Edwin’s leadership is basedonahighly developed sense of fairness and equity, respect for others and their points of view. He was a superb scholar. Two of his books that delved deeply into the challenges of public management are Development Administration – Jamaican Adaptations (1992) and the very rich Contending with Administrivia – Competition for Space, Benefits and Power (2015). Edwin’s last book reflects decades of work, studying the region’s administrative institutions and the efforts at reform. Edwin served as special adviser to several Caribbean governments, developed training programmes for Caribbean civil servants, served for many years on the Public Service Commission in Jamaica and numerous boards dealing with police reform and local government. His legacy of excellent teaching, academic research and public service is being carried on by those he taught who now have leadership positions in academia, in public management and the private sector. RUPERT LEWIS Emeritus Professor in Political Thought UWI ‘Legacy of excellence’ PROF RUPERT LEWIS Total Care Pharmacy Educator extraordinaire, who believed that mobility of the masses in Jamaica could only be achieved through education, to which he dedicated his life. He was unrelenting in helping to provide the planks, thus setting the foundation for sustainable educational development that would contribute to nation building. While he was dedicated to profession and country, accolades never meant much to him, he was more interested in the growth and development of Jamaicans. A man from humble beginnings, who never lost his humility, and would greet anyone irrespective of their status in life. He had an incredible love for his family, colleagues, students, and dominoes. We salute his contribution, from which we all benefitted. Walk good Prof, rest in eternal peace. From the management and staff of Total Care, La Vega, Greater Portmore and Variety Pharmacies. PROFESSOR THE HONOURABLE EDWIN SAMUEL JONES, PhD, OJ, CD Variety Pharmacy