In Trinidad and Tobago, we celebrate Republic Day on September 24. A republic, the Oxford Dictionary writes, is “a state in which the power rests with the people or their representatives”.
And on Republic Day, Trinidad and Tobago celebrates some of its people, those who use their power for the benefit of society, sometimes making an impact so profound that they have changed its trajectory for the better. Every year, without fail, members of The UWI St Augustine campus community are among these outstanding citizens celebrated at the National Awards. This year was no different.
Seventeen members of the campus community, past and present, were recognised at this year’s awards ceremony at The President’s House. They included artists, academics, businesspeople, attorneys, public servants, activists, and more. Among them are all three recipients of the nation’s highest award, the Order of Trinidad and Tobago (ORTT).
“I feel extremely honored to receive this award,” says Professor Patrick Hosein ORTT. Prof Hosein, a professor in the Faculty of Engineering’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, has had an incredible career at ICT giants such as Bose Corporation, Bell Laboratories, AT&T Laboratories, Ericsson, and Huawei. He received the award for his contribution to technology, innovation, and engineering.
Among his many contributions to society is his drive to inculcate a culture of research and innovation in technology students.
“I returned to Trinidad with the intention of making a difference in the research culture of our UWI students, developing closer research collaborations with companies, CSOs and the government, and assisting with the development and use of technology throughout Trinidad and Tobago,” he says.
Although he did not achieve everything he set out to do, he has been successful in many areas. He says, “my efforts in providing access to the Internet for The UWI and eventually Trinidad and Tobago back in the 90s, my efforts in having students perform research relevant to local companies, the development of a multi-stakeholder approach to policy creation (especially for the .TT domain), and the development of educational postgraduate programmes for The UWI”.
The award, he says, “confirms that my efforts were worthwhile and my decision to return was the right choice”.
UWI alum and former President of NGC Mark Loquan received the ORTT for National Service (Energy and Steelpan), and former member of The UWI’s University Council and Attorney-at-Law Russell Martineau received the ORTT for Law.
Dr Solaiman Juman, a senior lecturer in Otorhinolaryngology in the Faculty of Medical Sciences, received the Hummingbird Medal, Gold, in the sphere of Medicine and Research. Dr Juman is a renowned ear, nose and throat (ENT) surgeon, researcher and educator. He has served as president of both the Trinidad and Tobago Medical Association (TTMA) and the Commonwealth Medical Association (CMA).
But perhaps Dr Juman’s most important contribution is medical care and concern he has provided for many patients throughout T&T.
“Throughout my career, I have tried to perform to the best of my ability and just do the right thing for all concerned - family, community and country,” he says of the national recognition.
He points to the three areas of his professional life that have been the most meaningful. The first is the creation of the postgraduate programme in ENT (started in 2012) by him and his colleagues to replace the retiring surgeons with a new generation of professionals.
“We now have 11 excellent graduates who can hold their own with any surgeons in the world to take over the mantle of serving future generations of Trinbagonians and the Caribbean,” he says.
The second is his time as President of the CMA and the friendships he formed while representing the Commonwealth internationally. The third is helping his patients.
“The look on a young patient's face who heard sounds for the first time after a cochlear implant was inserted and activated –” he says. “Just precious!!”
Professor Sanjay Bahadoorsingh, another Hummingbird Medal, Gold, awardee, describes the experience as “humbling and emotional”. Prof Bahadoorsingh, still a young man, is a former head of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and a driving force in the research and development of sustainable and green technologies.
UWI TODAY interviewed him in 2023, and at that time, he was working with his colleagues to guide the Faculty of Engineering into the 21st century in the area of renewables education and research.
“For me,” he says, “this honour is less about the individual recognition, but more about the acknowledgement of the collective effort of all the persons who continue to inspire, support and work alongside me.”
And the work continues.
“Since we last spoke, progress has been made in evaluating and reinforcing the resilience of energy infrastructure across the region, which continues to be highly susceptible to extreme weather events. This has highlighted the lack of documented historical information and exposed significant data gaps and inconsistencies that complicate strategic decision-making and investments. Our work continues to be highly relevant, especially as we strive to achieve low carbon energy systems that incorporate a greater share of renewables, dispatchable energy, and electric vehicles.”
All three National Award recipients emphasise their relationship with The UWI. Prof Hosein is due to retire next year, however, he will maintain his relationships with students in particular.
“I plan to continue my research activities with students,” he says. “However, I am also trying to develop researchers who can continue what I have been doing. This, of course, will take time because of the breadth and depth of the research we do, but I am optimistic.”
He adds, “I normally meet with my students online so continuing such research should not be affected by any change in my location, and I do enjoy the challenge of helping students in a field with which I am not familiar. So yes, I will be sticking around until I am no longer needed.”
Dr Juman, who has had a busy schedule for many years, plans on continuing.
“I still have a few years left working at UWI. I enjoy interacting with and teaching undergraduate and postgraduate students. They energise me! I look forward to the day when they become better teachers and better surgeons than I am.”
For Prof Bahadoorsingh, there are still many kilometres ahead in his career at the university, and his mission to improve society through climate efficient technologies and practices. He looks forward to it.
“I remain dedicated to serving The UWI, Trinidad and Tobago and by extension, CARICOM,” he says. “I find deep fulfillment in my work across all areas, and my efforts will continue to be thoughtful, consistent and steadfast.”
Prof Patrick Hosein, professor in electrical and computer engineering, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Mark Loquan, Alumnus, President of the National Gas Company (NGC) - ORTT for Energy and Steelpan Innovation
Russell Martineau, SC, Attorney-at-Law, Former member of University Council – ORTT for Law
Dr Anne-Marion Osborne, Founder of the Music Unit of the Department of Creative and Festival Arts (DCFA), Faculty of Humanities and Education and Former Lecturer in Music at the DCFA - Chaconia Medal Gold Posthumously for Music (Piano and Steelpan)
Christopher Laird, Honorary Graduate of The UWI, 2009, Former Part-Time Lecturer, Faculty of Humanities & Education and Former Director of Banyan - Chaconia Medal Gold for Film Industry
Dr Jeffrey Edwards, Retired Lecturer, Master of Public Health, Faculty of Medical Sciences - Chaconia Medal Gold for Medicine/ Community
Dr Andrew Dhanoo, Research Associate with the Faculty of Science and Technology, Chaconia Medal Silver for Health Care and Volunteerism
Stephen Williams, Part-Time Lecturer, Department of Behavioural Sciences - Chaconia Medal Silver for National Security and Public Service
Linda Hewitt, Former Statistician - Chaconia Medal Silver Posthumously for Statistics and Community Service
Professor Sanjay Bahadoorsingh, Professor, Energy Systems, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Hummingbird Medal Gold for Engineering and Education
Dr Solaiman Juman, Senior Lecturer, Otorhinolaryngology, Department of Clinical Surgical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Hummingbird Medal Gold for Medicine and Research
Dr Elaine Monica Davis Iton, Retired Associate Dean, Department of Pre-Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences - Hummingbird Medal Gold for Health and Community Development
Kenwyn Crichlow, Retired Lecturer in Visual Arts, DCFA, Faculty of Humanities and Education, Hummingbird Medal Gold for Arts
Dr Ronnie Bhola, Former Associate Lecturer, Faculty of Medical Sciences - Hummingbird Medal Gold for Medicine
Michael Bradshaw, Quality Enhancement Officer, Faculty of Medical Sciences - Hummingbird Medal Silver for Youth Development and Community Service
Maj (Ret) Edouard Wade, Retired Part-Time Lecturer, DCFA, Faculty of Humanities and Education, Hummingbird Medal Silver for Music and Culture
Dr Jennifer Rouse, Gerontologist and policy analyst – Retired Part time Lecturer, Department of Behavioural Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences - Hummingbird Medal Silver for National Service and Social Work
