News Releases

UWI's Own Elected New President of Commonwealth Chemistry

For Release Upon Receipt - April 24, 2024

St. Augustine


St. Augustine, April 24, 2024 - Dr. Michael Forde, a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Chemistry of the Faculty of Science and Technology at The University of the West Indies (The UWI) St. Augustine Campus and the Secretary of the Trinidad and Tobago Chemical Society (TTCS), has become the first individual from the Caribbean Region to occupy the esteemed role of President of Commonwealth Chemistry.

 With 56 national chemical societies across the world, the Commonwealth Chemistry Federation is an essential force in advocating for equal opportunities, fostering innovation, and encouraging excellence in the chemical sciences for the benefit of Commonwealth countries and their populations. Dr. Forde emerged victorious in a rigorous election process, contending against eight distinguished senior chemists representing various international chemical societies.

 Dr. Forde's election as President of Commonwealth Chemistry underscores his commitment to advancing the field. A graduate with an MChem from the University of Edinburgh in 2008 and a PhD in heterogeneous catalysis from Cardiff University in 2012, Dr. Forde has dedicated his career to pioneering research in green catalysis. His work includes projects on methane oxidation, zeolite synthesis, and biomass upgrading. Beyond his research, Dr. Forde is deeply engaged in community outreach and science popularization.

 The UWI St. Augustine Campus, along with the Trinidad and Tobago Chemical Society, proudly congratulates Dr. Forde on this prestigious appointment and eagerly anticipates his continued contributions to the field of chemistry.

 End

 Dr. Michael Forde, newly elected President of Commonwealth Chemistry and Senior Lecturer in the Department of Chemistry of the Faculty of Science and Technology at The UWI St. Augustine Campus

 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 center of all efforts to improve the well-being of people across the region for over 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 1000 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 best in the world by the most reputable ranking agency, Times Higher Education (THE). Since The UWI’s 2018 debut in THE’s rankings, it has performed well in multiple schemes—among them including World University Rankings, Golden Age University Rankings (between 50 and 80 years old), Latin America Rankings, and the 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 Well-being; Gender Equality and Climate Action.

 Learn more at www.uwi.edu   

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