Awardees (from right, front row) Dr Michael Ponnambalam, Professor Clement Imbert, Professor Robin Mahon, Professor Anthony Harriott. - Photo by Colin Hamilton

Five individuals received Vice-Chancellor's Award for Excellence during a ceremony at the University of the West Indies, (UWI) Mona, on Thursday.

Vice-Chancellor Professor E. Nigel Harris noted that the recipients had done studies which were relevant to society, and went through a rigorous process of selection for the award.

"In all special societal circumstances, developing nations, very much of what we do must be rooted in matters relevant to knowledge about ourselves, the places where we live, and in mitigating the threats we face; and in sustaining our social and economic advancements," Harris declared.

moment of glory

The Gleaner caught up with two of the awardees as they basked in their moment of glory.

"You do your work and it's nice to know that your colleagues recognise the value of your work," said Professor Affette McCaw-Binns, who was described as "an outstanding researcher in maternal and perinatal epidemiology".

She was the sole female awardee and was recognised for accomplishments in research and her contribution to public service.

"The purpose of doing the work is to ensure that it's useful and it's nice to know that it's having some value and benefit in the population. That's why we do it," she said, pointing out that the award was like the icing on the cake. McCaw-Binns notes there was collaboration with agencies like the Ministry of Health to ensure that the work that is done informs public policy and gets translated into programmes that can be of assistance.

Like McCaw-Binns, Professor Robin Mahon was pleased to be an awardee, and shared his moment with The Gleaner. "It's a wonderful thing to be recognised and given an award for doing the kinds of things that you like to do, or love to do," he said, adding that not many people do a job they enjoy doing.

The annual Vice-Chancellor's Awards was established in 1993 and was an initiative of former Vice-Chancellor, Sir Alister McIntyre, to recognise high achievement by academic as well as senior administrative staff. Each awardee received a prize valued at US$5,000.

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Awardees

1. Dr Michael Ponnambalam, physics lecturer in the Department of Physics, Mona campus, for excellence in teaching.

2. Professor Clément Imbert, professor of mechanical engineering in the Department of Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering, St Augustine campus, for public service.

3. The award for all-round performance in a combination of two or more areas was awarded to Professor Anthony Harriott, director of the Institute of Public Safety and Justice at the UWI, Mona, for research and contribution to public service.

4. Professor Affette McCaw-Binns, professor of reproductive health epidemiology in the Department of Community Health & Psychiatry, the UWI, Mona, for research and contribution to public service.

5. Professor Robin Mahon, director of the UWI Centre for Resource Management and Environmental Studies, Cave Hill, Barbados for research and contribution to public service.