SUNDAY 9 OCTOBER, 2016 – UWI TODAY
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Dr Farid Youssef
Department of Pre-Clinical Sciences
Excellence Award for Teaching
A neuroscientist and psychologist with a deep concern for ethics, Dr Farid Youssef utilises
his teaching and research initiatives to activate a new generation of values-based global
citizens. His teaching style has been described as passionate, phenomenal and pro-student.
He combines his devotion to helping students understand the complexity of the nervous
system with his enthusiasm for technology, creating a teaching environment that students
find both stimulating and engaging, enabling them to bridge the gap between basic sciences
and real world applications. Dr Youssef passionately believes that learning must be founded
upon a platform of values. He was integral to the development of a new programme in professionalism which seeks to
anchor students’ gifts in a culture of service to society and wider Caribbean development. His work in this area has gone
beyond the University’s walls where he serves as a Global Director of Congress WBN, a faith-based charity focused on
human development. Dr Youssef consistently seeks to enhance the learning and life experience of his students and the
communities they are being trained to serve.
Professor Jayaraj Jayaraman
Department of Life Sciences
Excellence Award for Research Accomplishments
Leading the field of biotechnology at The UWI St Augustine, Professor Jayaraj Jayaraman has
facilitated the development of an undergraduate biotechnology specialisation programme, as
well as an MSc in Biotechnology. A strong advocate of sustainable farming, with a total of 99
refereed research publications under his belt, Professor Jayaraman’s research has impacted
agricultural systems regionally and internationally. Due to his extensive research, Professor
Jayaraman and his Plant-microbiology and Biotechnology team have been able to train a
core group of farmers within the region on sustainable methods involving minimal use of
chemicals. A life member of the Asian PGPR Society for Sustainable Agriculture and advisor for the Society for Scientific
Advancement, Professor Jayaraman is committed to developing and uplifting the visibility of biotechnology research at
The UWI to world class standard.
Jessel Murray
Department of Creative and Festival Arts
All-round Excellence in University Service and Public Service
Head of the Department of Creative and Festival Arts (DCFA) for the past five years, Jessel
Murray is also a senior lecturer in music. Under his directorship the UWI Arts Chorale and
UWI Arts Steel have both given impressive concerts to the campus community and general
public in Trinidad and Tobago. During his tenure, Must Come See Productions (MCSP) was
formed to offer musical theatre productions which have received close to twenty local Cacique
awards. Murray is also involved in cultural activity within the wider campus community,
holding the role of convenor of all performances at the six St Augustine Campus graduation
ceremonies; as well as acting as music consultant for signature events including the 50th anniversary celebrations and the
Rex Nettleford and Norman Girvanmemorials. OutsideThe UWI, he served for almost nine years as the Artistic Director/
Conductor of the National Steel Symphony Orchestra, Chief consultant in the setup of the National Philharmonic Orchestra
(2014) and is currently serving on the Board of the Arts Registry at the Division of Culture in Trinidad and Tobago.
Department of Electrical and
Computer Engineering (DECE)
Departmental Award for Excellence
The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering’s (DECE) vision is to produce
competent, bold, articulate engineering graduates and to conduct relevant and innovative
research and development for the social, economic and intellectual growth of the Caribbean
region. The Department is driven by high standards and its BSc in Electrical and Computer
Engineering programme has been accredited by the Institute of Engineering and Technology
(IET) for over 25 continuous years. The MASc programme has recently been accredited
for the 2015 to 2019 intakes and its accreditation has been back-dated to 2012. The Department has also introduced
many innovative ideas to promote learning and thinking outside the traditional curriculum. The introduction of annual
summer internships with IBM, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and Boeing in the USA, as well
as involvement in robotics group activities and software competitions, have all been “life changing” events according
to students. One of the most successful learning initiatives has been the Community Service Learning Project which
challenges students to identify and solve issues in a local community. DECE’s graduates are often described as eloquent,
proficient, and knowledgeable with a sound ability to lead and apply new technologies and provide solutions; a testimony
to the Department’s quality.
campus news
Seven awards for excellence
will be presented at the
2015/2016 Vice-Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence. A
University tradition for more than 20 years, the awards
recognise excellence in teaching, administration and
research accomplishments, service to the university
community, contributions to public service, and all-
round excellence in a combination of two or more of
these core areas. Adepartmental award is also given for
service and operational excellence. The presentation
ceremony which is rotated annually among The
University’s four campuses takes place on 19 October,
2016 atThe UWI St Augustine Campus. The awardees
this year are:
Dr Farid Youssef
, Department of Pre-Clinical
Sciences, St Augustine Campus – Excellence Award
for Teaching
Professor Jayaraj Jayaraman
, Department of Life
Sciences, St Augustine Campus – Excellence Award for
Research Accomplishments
Professor Jennifer Knight-Madden
, Caribbean
Institute for Health Research (formerly Tropical
Medicine Research Institute), Regional Headquarters
– Excellence Award for Research Accomplishments
Professor Verene Shepherd
, Institute for Gender
andDevelopment Studies, Regional CoordinatingUnit
– Excellence Award for Contribution to Public Service
Jessel Murray
, Department of Creative and
Festival Arts, St Augustine Campus – All-round
excellence in University Service and Public Service
Floyd Reifer
, Head Coach (Cricket) at the
Academy of Sport, Cave Hill Campus
The Department of Electrical and Computer
Engineering, St Augustine Campus
– Departmental
Award for Excellence
UWI Recognises Excellence with
Vice-Chancellor’s Awards
Awardees from the St Augustine Campus
Formerly known as the
Vice-Chancellor’s
Award for Meritorious Performance
, the
awards scheme was re-established as the
Vice-
Chancellor’s Award for Excellence
in 1993 by
then
Vice-Chancellor, Sir Alister Mc Intyre
. It
arose from a desire on the part of Sir Alister, to
recognise and reward outstanding performance
of academic and senior administrative staff,
above and beyond annual merit increases paid
to employees. Up to eight awards may be given
in recognition of accomplishments and/or as an
incentive for continued excellent performance.
In the 2012/2013 academic year, a departmental
award for excellence was added, allowing for one
annual award to be made to any department,
institute, section, site, research unit, or centre
demonstrating the highest commitment to quality,
to service and operational excellence.
Vice-Chancellor’s
Awards for
Excellence
