Professor Dale Webber, outgoing Principal and Pro-Vice Chancellor of The UWI Mona recently honoured researchers at the Mona Campus during the 25th instalment of the Principal’s Research Awards Ceremony, as part of the institution's 75th anniversary celebrations.
 
Professor Webber in his opening remarks noted that research has been the life blood of The University of the West Indies. According to Professor Webber, “Research about COVID-19, research because of COVID-19, as well as research pre and post COVID-19 became the focal point of many researchers, and also seemed to draw researchers together in a manner never seen before.” This he noted, resulted in benefits to the institution with an increase in the number of publications as well as an increase in collaboration and funding to faculties, departments and research units.
 
According to Professor Webber, “In 2019-20, The UWI, still in the midst of a financial crisis, was unable to celebrate its top researchers in the normal manner, and while selections were made from each Faculty, an awards ceremony was not possible. The impact of COVID-19 was felt in the conceptualization, manifestation, cooperation, implementation and publication of research. The years spanning 2020-21, 2021-22 and 2022-23 were difficult years for our University and the research fabric appeared to be stretched and changed. However, resilience and recovery replaced pivoting and emergency remote operation and colleagues found ways to conduct, engage and excel at research.”
 
The UWI maintained its number one position in the Caribbean, and top 1% of the best in Latin America and the Caribbean. The UWI surged to the top 1.5% in the world as ranked by the Times Higher Education (THE). This impressive performance of the university is rooted in the work of Faculties and Research Institutes, as research and professional citations increased during the 2020 to 2023 period which this Awards Ceremony highlighted. 
 
The Principal’s Research Awards serves as a testament to The UWI Mona's commitment to fostering an environment that nurtures intellectual growth and originality across various disciplines.
 
This year's esteemed awardees span the Faculties of Engineering, Humanities and Education, Law, Medical Sciences, Science and Technology, Social Sciences, as well as the Library and the Office of the Principal. The list of awards presented at the ceremony included Best Research Publication, the Principal’s Special COVID-19 Impact Awards, Research Project Attracting the Most Research Funds, Most Outstanding Researcher and the Most Outstanding Research Activity.
 
The Most Honourable Professor Kenneth Hall who started the Research Awards in 1998 during his message as guest speaker lauded the young researchers who are on track to change the world as we know it today. Professor Hall highlighted that the ceremony serves as an unwavering commitment to the institution towards knowledge advancement, innovation and social impact. “The collaboration across faculties is something remarkable over these years. Over the years we have witnessed tremendous growth in the quality and quantity of research output reflecting of course the dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence by all scholars.”
 
All the recipients, through their ground-breaking research, have brought acclaim and distinction not only to themselves but also to The UWI Mona, propelling the institution to the forefront of cutting-edge innovation in the region and globally demonstrated by our accession to the top 1.5% in the world as ranked by the Times Higher Education (THE). The fuel of this rise is the passionate life’s work of our researchers who honour The UWI by making this research-based institution their home.