Dr. Erasmus Okine. (University of Lethbridge)

By David Opinko

Dr. Okine named U of L’s Interim Provost and VP of Academics

Apr 24, 2020 | 12:04 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The University of Lethbridge has named its new Interim Vice President of Academics and Provost.

Dr. Erasmus Okine has been with the University since 2015 when he was hired as the Vice President of Research.

“Dr. Okine has excelled in his role as Vice-President (Research) and we’re excited to be able to draw upon that success and appoint him to this new role,” says Dr. Mike Mahon, U of L president and vice-chancellor.

“He is an excellent relationship builder and has established a very good rapport with our faculty members,” adds Mahon. “His understanding of the academic culture at the University, commitment to a student-first approach and ability to see the broad picture moving forward gives me great confidence that he will make this role his own and continue to provide outstanding leadership to the U of L.”

During Dr. Okine’s tenure so far, he has increased the school’s number of research partnerships from industry, non-government organizations, government agencies, and universities by about 60 per cent.

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“I am very excited to take on this new challenge and the opportunities it allows me to further contribute to the academic experience of our students,” says Okine. “We have a very unique culture here at the U of L that fosters collaboration on so many levels, between students and faculty members, from department to department, and externally to all of our community stakeholders and industry partners. I look forward to seeing what can be achieved in the coming years and how we can continue to strengthen our communities.”

His research has spanned topics such as the impact and mitigation of greenhouse gases and increasing the efficiency and productivity of livestock.

According to the U of L, he helped to improve the fatty acid profile of beef and milk and helped develop a nutrition tool to reduce methane emissions from cattle.

Dr. Okine is also a member of the Alberta Research and Innovation Advisory Committee.

He will fill the role vacated by Dr. Andrew Hakin, who left in January to become the President of St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, Nova Scotia.

Dr. Okine will begin his new appointment immediately and will serve until June 30, 2023.