News Releases

From One Campus to the Nation: Four UWI St. Augustine Members Honoured At National Awards 2025

For Release Upon Receipt - September 25, 2025

St. Augustine


St. Augustine, Trinidad & Tobago, September 25, 2025 – From education and healthcare to public service, four (4) members of The University of the West Indies (The UWI) St. Augustine campus community have been named among this year’s twenty-nine recipients at the National Awards Ceremony 2025, held on Republic Day.

Leading this distinguished group is Emeritus Professor, Kenneth Ramchand, who is among three recipients of the nation’s highest honour, the Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (ORTT).

 

 Emeritus Professor, Kenneth Ramchand photo credits: Trinidad Express

Professor Ramchand, who previously received the Chaconia Medal (Gold) in 1996, is a renowned lecturer, scholar and author. He is best known for his contributions to Caribbean literature, particularly in the field of West Indian culture. Professor Ramchandhe is considered a “real literary critic” who has authored and edited numerous publications in his field including "The West Indian Novel and Its Background" (1970), which is recognized for its transformative influence on the literature syllabus at The University of the West Indies. He is a retired Professor of the former Department of Liberal Arts, now the Department of Literary, Cultural and Communication Studies at The UWI.

 Regarded as the region’s foremost critic of Caribbean fiction, Professor Ramchand has produced influential studies on writers such as V. S. Naipaul, Earl Lovelace and Sam Selvon. His scholarship has not only advanced the academic discipline but also shaped the wider recognition of Caribbean literature across the globe.

Emeritus Professor Kenneth Ramchand with fellow officials from The UWI-STA Department of Literary, Cultural, and Communication Studies at the 2024 Gala Reading for Campus Literature Week, featuring Professor Merl Collins. Photo Credit: Roger McFarlane.

Professor Rose-Marie Belle Antoine, Pro Vice Chancellor and Campus Principal at The UWI St. Augustine extended her congratulations stating: “It is a tremendous honour to see four members of our campus community recognised at the 2025 National Awards Ceremony. Their achievements, spanning a wide cross section, highlight the exceptional dedication and talent within The UWI family. These awardees not only excel in their fields but also serve as inspiring examples of how scholarship and service can positively shape our nation. We celebrate their contributions and take pride in the role our University has played in supporting their journeys.”

This year’s other distinguished awardees include a remarkable mix of UWI faculty and retirees whose work span disciplines and decades. They include:

  • Dr. Adesh Sirjusingh, Director, Women's Health, Ministry of Health, former Lecturer of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Chaconia Medal, Gold in the sphere of healthcare
  • Mr. Fazal Karim, former Member of Parliament for Chaguanas East Constituency and former Senator and Minister of Tertiary Education and Skills Training, former Business Development Manager at The UWI, St. Augustine Campus and Deputy Director of the former The UWI School of Continuing Studies - Chaconia Medal, Gold posthumous in the sphere of education
  • Dr. Indira Rampersad, Lecturer, Head of Department, Political Science, Faculty of Social Sciences - Medal of Merit, Gold in the sphere of education and public service
 Dr. Indira Rampersad, Lecturer, Head of Department, Political Science, Faculty of Social Sciences

 The recognition of these distinguished individuals underscores the University’s role in supporting leaders and changemakers whose contributions make a meaningful difference to the Trinidad and Tobago society and the wider Caribbean.

 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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