Dr. Ernst Pierre Vincent was installed on Wednesday, October 7, as rector of the Public University of the West (UPO), a new state university, by Education Minister Vijonet Déméro.

Déméro said the university's mission is to train technicians and professionals who understand local problems. He asked the new rector to ensure academic excellence, fair access and transparent management, and to put the university at the heart of regional development.

“The tasks may be heavy, arduous, and difficult, but they are not beyond our capabilities,” Vincent said.

He set out seven priorities, including the quality of academic programs, practical learning and employability, research that serves society, partnerships with local communities, careful management of resources and outreach to the Haitian diaspora.

Dr. Carole Berotte Joseph, a member of the commission that set up the university, said she hoped the young institution would “take flight.” Dr. Joram Vixamar, president of the council of rectors of the departmental public universities, congratulated his new colleague.

Haiti has built a network of public universities in the departments over the past two decades so that students do not all have to move to Port-au-Prince to study.