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UWI St Augustine Honours Staff at First Annual SPIRIT of Excellence Awards

For Release Upon Receipt - July 4, 2025

St. Augustine


ST. AUGUSTINE, Trinidad and Tobago. July 4, 2025 – On June 27, The University of the West Indies (The UWI) St Augustine Campus held its first annual SPIRIT of Excellence Awards ceremony at the Daaga Auditorium to honour and celebrate the contributions of staff towards the campus’ growth and development.

Awards given on the day included the Leadership Excellence Award, Administrative Excellence Award, Excellence in Technical Service Award, Excellence in Student Success Award, Award for Excellence in Campus Operations, Award for Excellence in Innovation, Most Outstanding Voice of UWI St Augustine Award and Principal’s Customer Service Champion Award.

In a welcome address, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Campus Principal, Prof. Rose-Marie Belle Antoine, said the awards serve as a reminder that staff engagement at the campus is a fundamental value and it is the campus’ duty to care for the wellbeing of all staff and uplift them.

 

 Professor Rose-Marie Belle Antoine, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Campus Principal of The UWI St. Augustine delivers keynote remarks at the 2025 Spirit of Excellence Awards Ceremony, held on Friday 27th June at the Daaga Auditorium.

Prof. Antoine said, “You, our administrative, operational and support staff, are the heart of who we are on campus.

“Without you, our scientists and researchers would not be able to fulfil their responsibilities and contribute to their professions where they excel locally, regionally and internationally.

“We owe you a great deal of gratitude, and I do hope that you realise how much you are valued.”

Prof. Antoine also highlighted the fact that the winners of the awards were nominated by their peers, and she said this is a reminder to all staff at the university that their efforts have not gone unnoticed.

She added that the winners of the awards were the embodiment of the spirits of purpose-driven work which goes beyond just achieving results but also making a difference in people’s lives.

Prof. Antoine reminded staff, “For those of you who may have felt that your seamless and efficient coordination of initiatives, or your always prompt, professional responses, were unappreciated, or that the late hours you put in went unnoticed, this evening of celebration is for you.

“These acts illustrate the SPIRIT of the employees who work at our campus, who keep us excelling and fulfilling our mandate and vision for the people of the country, region and beyond.”

In a feature address, Director of JMMB Group Trinidad and Tobago and UWI alumna, Catherine Kumar, reminded staff that their efforts do not only serve to develop the campus but also society as a whole, as graduates from the university will continue playing a vital role in shaping the future of Trinidad and Tobago, the wider Caribbean and the world.

 

 Distinguished guest speaker Ms. Catherine Kumar delivers the feature address during the 2025 Spirit of Excellence Awards Ceremony, hosted on Friday 27th June at the Daaga Auditorium, The UWI, St. Augustine.

 

“The University of the West Indies is more than an institution; it is a catalyst for social change, economic empowerment and regional development, to name a few.

“Your dedication contributes to a legacy that shapes generations, symbolises not just personal milestones but also the potential that lies within each of us to redefine what is possible when passion meets perseverance and when you don't see obstacles but possibilities.”

Kumar also added that the campus’ administrative, professional, technical and support staff were the heartbeat of the campus and deserved to be duly recognised for their contributions.

Drawing from her own experience in leadership over the years, Kumar encouraged staff at the campus to embrace the power of their collaborative excellence, build resiliency in their different departments, be leaders when called upon no matter the task, be inclusive and empathetic and remember their higher purpose.

Kumar said, “Like any great organisation or community, the strength of the university depends on unity in diversity.

“It is a single, unified institution made up of many faculties, departments, and units that are supported by both academic and non-academic staff.

“Each one is a vital thread to the fabric of the university’s excellence, and I want to emphasise that especially for the administrative, professional, technical and support staff whose contributions may often go unnoticed but are no less essential to the university’s success.”

 

 Pro Vice-Chancellor and Campus Principal of The UWI St. Augustine, Professor Rose-Marie Belle Antoine, stands proudly with all honourees of the 2025 Spirit of Excellence Awards following the ceremony held on Friday 27th June, 2025, at the Daaga Auditorium, The UWI, St. Augustine.

 

List of Awardees

 Administrative Excellence Awards (Grades 1-6): Mr Randy Dookoo

 Administrative Excellence Awards (Grades 7-10): Mrs Nadra Dwarika-Baptiste

 Award for Excellence in Technical Service: Mr Rajindra Mahabir

 Award for Excellence in Campus Operations (Category 1- Administrative, Technical and Support Staff): Mr. Joseph Drayton and Ms. Stacey-Ann Rosales

 Award for Excellence in Campus Operations (Category 2- Senior Administrative and Professional Staff): Mr Rajesh Kandha

 Award for Excellence in Student Success: Division for Student Services and

Development

 Award for Excellence in Innovation: Ms Naomi Howard

 Award for Excellence in Leadership: Mrs Donna Ceasar

 Award for The Most Outstanding Voice of The UWI St Augustine: Mr Nigel Bradshaw

 The Principal’s Customer Service Champion Award: Mrs Debra Coryat-Patton

 

 Mr. Jassiem Williams captivates the audience with a moving saxophone performance at the 2025 Spirit of Excellence Awards Ceremony, held on Friday 27th June at the Daaga Auditorium, The UWI, St. Augustine.

 

END

 

About The University of the West Indies

 The University of the West Indies (The UWI) is the Caribbean’s premier higher education institution and one of only two regional universities in the world. With five campuses across the English-speaking Caribbean and global centres in partnership with universities in North America, Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Europe, The UWI continues to be a beacon of academic excellence, research innovation, and societal impact. Consistently ranked among the world’s best by Times Higher Education (THE), The UWI is a global leader in addressing critical challenges, including climate change, sustainability, and development.

 As The UWI St. Augustine Campus celebrates its 65th anniversary in 2025 under the theme Beyond 65: From the Caribbean, For the World, it pays tribute to its Caribbean roots while highlighting its contributions to solving global challenges. This milestone underscores the campus's significant role in producing ground-breaking research and fostering talent that transcends regional boundaries to shape a better world. The UWI St. Augustine’s researchers, academics, and graduates continue to make an international impact, exemplifying the university’s mission to serve the region while influencing the world.

 Learn more at www.uwi.edu 

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