Four UWI St Augustine members honoured at National Awards 2025

Four members of The UWI St Augustine campus community have been named among this year’s 29 recipients at the National Awards Ceremony 2025, held on Republic Day, September 24.

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).

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 Ramchand has authored and edited numerous publications in his field including "The West Indian Novel and Its Background" (1970), which is recognised for its transformative influence on the literature syllabus at The UWI. He is a retired professor of the former Department of Liberal Arts, now the Department of Literary, Cultural and Communication Studies.

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

• Dr Adesh Sirjusingh, Director of Women's Health in theMinistry of Health, former Lecturer of Obstetrics and Gynaecology - Chaconia Medal (Gold) in the sphere of healthcare
• Mr Fazal Karim, former MP for Chaguanas East and Senator and Minister of Tertiary Education and Skills Training, former Business Development Manager at UWI St Augustine and Deputy Director of The UWI School of Continuing Studies - Chaconia Medal (Gold) posthumous, in the sphere of education
• Dr Indira Rampersad, Lecturer and Head of the Department of Political Science - Medal of Merit (Gold) in the sphere of education and public service

UWI St Augustine Campus Principal Professor Rose-Marie Belle Antoine, congratulated the awardees, 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.”