The UWI Regional Headquarters, Jamaica W.I. Wednesday, March 23, 2022 — The University of the West Indies (The UWI) proudly congratulates the recipients of the 2020 and 2021 Trinidad and Tobago National Awards, recently hosted by the Office of the President, after a two-year delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Among the Award recipients are Visitor of The UWI, the Honourable Justice Rolston Nelson (retired) and Chair of The UWI St. Augustine Campus Council, Ms Sharon Christopher, as well as current and former members of staff. Notably, the complete list of awardees includes:
2021 Awardees
The Honourable Justice Rolston Nelson (retired) – Appointed Visitor of The UWI in 2019, a position previously held by the Queen of England. Justice Nelson, who previously served as Judge of the Caribbean Court of Justice, has been an Associate Tutor of the Hugh Wooding Law School since 1978 and editor of The Lawyer, the journal of the Law Association of Trinidad and Tobago, since 1987. He is also an Honorary Distinguished Fellow of The University of the West Indies. Justice Nelson received the Chaconia Medal (GOLD) for his contributions to law and business.
Ms Sharon Christopher – Appointed Chair of the St. Augustine Campus Council for the five-year period, November 16, 2018 to July 31, 2023. Sharon Christopher, an alumna of The UWI, is an Attorney at Law, Leadership Development Coach and Motivational Speaker. She is the founder and CEO of Sharon Christopher and Associates, which provides services throughout the Caribbean and North America. She was also the founding Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Institute for Gender and Development Studies at The UWI. Ms. Christopher was awarded the Chaconia Medal (GOLD) for her contribution to business, banking and finance.
Professor Emeritus Winston Mellowes – Professor Emeritus Winston Mellowes led the Department of Chemical Engineering at St. Augustine during a career that spanned over 30 years. As a Professor of Electrical Engineering, he is acknowledged as an expert on fluid dynamics and the technology of sugar cane processing. For his contribution in the sphere of education, Professor Emeritus Mellowes was awarded the Chaconia Medal (GOLD).
2020 Awardees
Professor Emeritus Stephan Gift – Retired Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at the St. Augustine Campus from 2015 to 2018 and Pro Vice-Chancellor, Graduate Studies & Research, from 2018 to 2021. The youngest PhD graduate in the history of the Faculty of Engineering and a Member of the Caribbean Academy of Science, a Senior Member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, and a Fellow of the Association of Professional Engineers of Trinidad and Tobago. Professor Stephan Gift was awarded the Chaconia Medal (GOLD) for his contribution to Engineering and Engineering Science.
Dr Lakshmi Seeterram-Persaud – 2013 Honorary Graduand of The UWI, an award-winning novelist (five novels), writer and teacher. Dr Lakshmi Seeterram-Persaud is the recipient of the Chaconia Medal (GOLD) for her work in education and culture.
Dr Lester Goetz – Senior Lecturer, Urology, Faculty of Medical Sciences at the St. Augustine Campus. He served as the Campus’ Programme Director of Urology who introduced the Urology Programme to the University. As a consultant urologist, he is a founding member and the first president of the Caribbean Urological Association as well as the Trinidad and Tobago Urological Association. Dr Goetz was the recipient of the Hummingbird Medal (GOLD) for his influence in medicine.
Professor Kari Levitt – Visiting Professor at the Institute of International Relations from 1974-1975, the retired Professor was awarded the Hummingbird Medal (GOLD) for loyal and devoted service to Trinidad & Tobago in the sphere of economics and education.
Mr Ainsley Mark – Lecturer in Accounting from 1971-1982, Head of Department of Management from 1975-1976, Vice Dean of Faculty of Social Sciences from 1977-1979 and Senior Lecturer in Accounting from 1987-1992. A Former Vice-President of the Senate, Mr Mark was awarded the Hummingbird Medal (GOLD) for his dedication to community service.
Professor Indrawatee Haraksingh – Professor of Physics, Faculty of Science and Technology, The UWI, St. Augustine Campus. A former recipient of the International Pioneer Award for Solar Energy, Professor Haraksingh has distinguished herself as one of the premier women in the Field of Renewable Energy in the Caribbean. She also serves as a member of the Renewable Energy Committee of The UWI, promoting research and development at the highest academic levels. For her contribution in the field of education, Professor Haraksingh was awarded the Hummingbird Medal (SILVER).
Dr Verleen Bobb-Lewis – Employed by The UWI since 2014 in the School of Education. She has served as Part-time facilitator in the Master in Education Programme, Coordinator for the delivery of the Bachelor in Education, Early Childhood Care and Development, Masters in Education and Diploma in Education Programmes, Part-time Tutor and Part-time Lecturer all based in Tobago. A Technical Advisor, Division of Education, Innovation and Energy Dr Bobb-Lewis was awarded the Hummingbird Medal (BRONZE).
Ms. Gillian Macintyre – Member of the Elections and Boundaries Commission, former Permanent Secretary and Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministries of Education, Sport, Office of the Prime Minister, Public Administration, Attorney General and Information. Ms. Macintyre is the holder of a Master of Arts Degree in Public Policy and Administration from the Institute of Social Studies, den Haag, the Netherlands, a Post Graduate Diploma in Human Resource Management from UWI, and a Bachelor of Environmental Studies Degree from the University of Waterloo, Canada. She was awarded the Public Service Medal of Merit (GOLD).
Offering his personal congratulations to all awardees, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, Vice-Chancellor of The UWI commended each for the well-deserved honours bestowed upon them in recognition of their enduring dedication and service to nation and region. “We join in paying special homage to these distinguished members of our community—the calibre of eminent jurist, Justice Nelson serving as our very first Visitor from the region; trailblazer, woman business leader Sharon Christopher, who also made history as our first female Council Chair at St. Augustine; our Professor Emeritus, retired Pro Vice-Chancellor Stephan Gift whose devoted work supported the creation of The UWI’s current entrepreneurial ecosystem, and all the others on this special national honour roll. We salute you.”
Pro Vice-Chancellor and Campus Principal of The UWI St. Augustine, Professor Brian Copeland, extended heartfelt congratulations to the 2020 and 2021 National Award recipients, thanking them for their contributions both to The UWI and the wider community. As a former national award recipient himself, he was a joint recipient of the Chaconia Medal Gold in 2007 and in 2008 and he was the first recipient of the Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago in 2008.
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