News Releases

L’Oréal-UNESCO Awards UWI Scholars first Caribbean Women in Science Award

For Release Upon Receipt - January 12, 2024

St. Augustine


 

Left to right – Mr. Gilles Delaunay, General Manager L’Oréal Caribe; Professor Mark Wuddivira, Dean, Faculty of Food and Agriculture, UWI, St. Augustine; Ms. Sunshine De Caires (recipient), UWI St. Augustine; Dr. Sarah Buckland (recipient), UWI, Mona; Eng. Dr. Tagore Ramlal; Eng. Anthony Chadee, Chair IEEE, Trinidad and Tobago; Dr. Anna Paolini, Director and Representative, UNESCO Office for the Caribbean

 St. Augustine, January 12, 2024 – Ms. Sunshine De Caires, Ph.D. graduate of The University of the West Indies (The UWI) was recently honoured as one of two inaugural recipients of the L’Oréal-UNESCO Caribbean Women in Science Award. The award ceremony was held on November 24, 2023, at the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus in Trinidad, during the 23rd Biennial Conference and General Meeting 2023 of the Caribbean Academy of Science. This event was particularly noteworthy as it marks the first inclusion of the Caribbean region in the L'Oreal programme, which has been recognizing outstanding contributions to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) for 25 years.

 The 2023 recipients, Dr. Sarah Buckland and Ms. Sunshine De Caires were honoured for their contributions in the fields of soil science and geography, particularly about climate change and its effects in the Caribbean. Dr. Buckland's research at The UWI, Mona in Jamaica, focuses on microclimatic comparisons and their impact on agriculture, while Ms. De Caires's work at The UWI, St. Augustine in Trinidad, is centered on understanding the effects of climate change on soil quality and sustainable land management.

The L’Oréal-UNESCO Caribbean Women in Science Award, specifically the Young Talents Caribbean Region Programme, is a notable initiative that stands out in promoting female representation and contribution in the scientific field. This programme, a collaboration between L’Oréal Caribe, the UNESCO Office for the Caribbean, and the Caribbean Academy of Sciences, focuses on addressing the challenges of Caribbean development, scientific research, and female empowerment. It recognizes and honours young female scientists with an endowment to support their scientific work.

 Ms. De Caires successfully defended her Ph.D. thesis in Tropical Earth and Environmental Science from the Department of Food Production, at the Faculty of Food and Agriculture (FFA) of The UWI St. Augustine. In articulating her appreciation for the award, Ms. De Caires stated, "I am deeply honoured and humbled to receive the L'Oreal Caribbean Woman in Science Award. This recognition means the world to me and serves as a testament to the dedication and perseverance that all women in science embody."

 This programme is part of L’Oréal's global initiative, For Women in Science, which aims to foster a more inclusive environment for women in scientific careers and catalyze a broader societal transformation in this domain. The initiative underlines the belief in the indispensable connection between science and women, aiming to cultivate a community of female scientists who are empowered to pursue leadership roles and become inspirational mentors.

 The Young Talents Caribbean Region marked the 53rd national and regional L’Oréal UNESCO For Women in Science programme globally, covering 24 islands in the region. The selection process is rigorous, with candidates evaluated based on intellectual merit, research potential, scientific excellence, and their commitment to supporting women and girls in science.

 The significance of this award extends beyond individual achievement; it is a celebration of every woman in science breaking barriers, challenging norms, and making substantial contributions to the scientific community. Ms. De Caires emphasized the importance of supporting aspiring scientists, especially young women, stating, "To all aspiring scientists, remember that your potential knows no bounds. Believe in yourselves, surround yourselves with mentors who uplift you, and never shy away from pursuing your passions." Ms. De Caires attributes her success, in part, to the invaluable support and guidance received from Professors Mark Wuddivira and Duraisamy Saravanakumar, which emphasizes the pivotal role of mentorship in one’s scientific journey.

 This award stands as a testament to the ongoing effort to bridge gender gaps in the scientific community, emphasizing the need for more female representation and acknowledgment in the field. It's an initiative that not only honours individual achievements but also aims to inspire future generations of women scientists in the Caribbean and beyond.

 End.

 

About The University of the West Indies  

 The UWI has been and continues to be a pivotal force in every aspect of Caribbean development; residing at the centre of all efforts to improve the well-being of people across the region for the past 75 years.  

 From a university college of London in Jamaica with 33 medical students in 1948, The UWI is today an internationally respected, global university with nearly 50,000 students and five campuses: Mona in Jamaica, St. Augustine in Trinidad and Tobago, Cave Hill in Barbados, Five Islands in Antigua and Barbuda and its Global Campus, and global centres in partnership with universities in North America, Latin America, Asia, Africa and Europe.  

 The UWI offers over 800 certificate, diploma, undergraduate and postgraduate degree options in Culture, Creative and Performing Arts, Food and Agriculture, Engineering, Humanities and Education, Law, Medical Sciences, Science and Technology, Social Sciences, and Sport. As the Caribbean’s leading university, it possesses the largest pool of Caribbean intellect and expertise committed to confronting the critical issues of our region and the wider world. 

 The UWI has been consistently ranked among the top universities globally by the most reputable ranking agency, Times Higher Education (THE). The UWI is the only Caribbean-based university to make the prestigious lists since its debut in the rankings in 2018. In addition to its leading position in the Caribbean in the World University Rankings, it is also in the top 25 for Latin America and the Caribbean and the top 100 global Golden Age universities (between 50 and 80 years old).  The UWI is also featured among the leading universities on THE’s Impact Rankings for its response to the world’s biggest concerns, outlined in the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including Good Health and Wellbeing; Gender Equality and Climate Action.  

 2023 marks The UWI’s 75th anniversary. The Diamond Jubilee milestone themed “UWI at 75. Rooted. Ready. Rising.” features initiatives purposely designed and aligned to reflect on the past, confront the present, and articulate plans for the future of the regional University.  

 Learn more at www.uwi.edu    

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