The Faculty of Humanities and Education

Former Deans of FHE

Prof. F. Aiyejina (2008-2014) Internationally qualified, Professor Aiyejina has dedicated his service to the University of the West Indies from 1990 to 2014.  Prior to this, he taught for over a decade at Obafemi Awolowo University in Nigeria and was a Fulbright Lecturer in Creative Writing at Lincoln University in Missouri. Professor Aiyejina is also a successful poet, short story writer and playwright. In 2008, he was appointed Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Education.

Prof. Lawrence (1975- 1978) From as early as 1967, the late Professor Emeritus Lawrence Aldridge Wilson joined the Faculty of Agriculture at the UWI as a Lecturer and Senior Lecturer in Plant Physiology/Biochemistry. In 1975, he was appointed Professor of Crop Science and served the UWI as Head of that Department (1975-1980) and as Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture for three terms. Professor Wilson was instrumental in expanding the Faculty’s academic scope, introducing new courses to the BSc and MSc curricula. The Lawrence Wilson Food Biology Laboratory was named in his honour. 

Dr. M. Thorpe (1987-1988) Dr. Thorpe was the first coordinator of the Women and Development Studies programme at the University of the West Indies.  She was subsequently appointed Trinidad and Tobago's Ambassador to the United Nations, Deputy Director of the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) and Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean. She is a consultant attached to the College of Science, Technology and Applied Arts of Trinidad and Tobago and the overall vice-chair of the 2013 OCM Bocas Prize.

Mr. R. Hezekiah (1976-1978) In 1984, Mr Hezekiah became the holder of a highly prestigious award known as ‘Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Palmes académiques’ (Kinight in the Order of Academic Laurels) which is bestowed by the French government on persons for their remarkable contributions /service in the field of education and promotion of the French language and culture. 

Mr. C. Keller (1989-1993) Mr. C. Keller has occupied the positions of Lecturer, Head of the School of Education and Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Education was awarded one of the national community’s highest honours, the Chaconia Medal (Gold), for his service to education.  In 2012, he received an award from the university for outstanding research mentorship. 

Mr. L. King (1991-1993)

Mr. V. Singh (1994-2000)

Mrs. H. Pyne-Timothy (1988-1991)

Prof. L. D. Carrington (1993-1996) Professor L. D. Carrington served as the Faculty’s Dean between 1993-1996. He became Professor Emeritus of Creole Linguistics and was among the first in his field to delve into the study and documentation of St. Lucian French Creole. After serving as a secretary and president of the Society of Caribbean Linguistics, the respected Professor Carrington was then elected as an honorary member by his peers.

Dr. V. Knight (1993-1994)

Prof. J. Millette (1982-1987)

Prof. I. Robertson (2000-2008) Professor Ian Robertson’s interest for Education and Linguistics began circa 1969 while teaching English at the secondary school level in Guyana. Eventually, his love for Linguistics exceeded that of Education and the history of the Caribbean’s languages became his research interest.  Professor Robertson has made remarkable contributions to the Faculty, having served as a Lecturer, the Head of the School of Education and progressively, towards being appointed Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Education in the year, 2000.

Prof. B. Samaroo (1981-1982) Professor Emeritus Brinsley Samaroo has served at the UWI as a professor in History, Senior Lecturer and the Head of the History Department. He is a noted and respected local historian and former politician and chronicler of the Indian history of Trinidad. He is a beloved figure amongst his contemporaries. Professor Samaroo remains committed to the preservation of historical sites and the spread of awareness of the significance of such sites.

Dr. E. Gift (1985 - 1989)