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Authors: Open Campus

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{gallery}http://www.flickr.com/photos/theuwi/sets/72157627938414722/{/gallery} The University of the West Indies Seismic Research Centre and the Montserrat Volcano Observatory (MVO) launched the book : Island of Fire: The Natural Spectacle of the Soufrière Hills Volcano Montserrat, on Tuesday October 18th at the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA) in Port of Spain. The book launch was part of the University’s Earth Science Week Celebration which ran from October 10th-20th at NAPA and was themed “Our Ever-changing Earth”.

The first of its kind for the Caribbean, the book Island of Fire, is a photographic collection depicting the volcanic eruption in Montserrat which began in 1995. The eruption was one of the most dramatic volcanic events of recent decades and has shown a wide variety of geological phenomena – some of which had never been witnessed anywhere else or on such a large scale within historical times. Extended captions provided additional insight into the processes and dynamics of this spectacular eruption making the book a true synergy of science and art.

“From cover to cover, this volume depicts the multiple moods and colours of the mountain and its environs and the baleful effects of the eruption on people and places,” commented Sir Howard Fergus, former Professor of Eastern Caribbean Studies at UWI. “This publication satisfies while whetting the appetite for research whether in history, volcanology or photographic art,” added Fergus.

Dr. Paul Cole, Editor and Photographer for Island of Fire and Director of Montserrat Volcano Observatory said, "The book is not simply an exhibition of photographs; it also includes an explanation of the science behind each photographs. One of the objectives of the book was to feature photographs that the public rarely gets to see, such as close views of the lava dome and the devastation of Plymouth in the exclusion zone." He also added that, "Island of Fire can be taken at a number of levels, simply enjoying the photographs or taking in the science found in the captions and explanations at the start of each chapter."

{gallery}http://www.flickr.com/photos/theuwi/sets/72157627870041100/{/gallery} Vice-Chancellor of The University of the West Indies (UWI) Professor E. Nigel Harris presented awards to seven outstanding University staff members at the 2011 Vice-Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence. The presentation ceremony was held at on October 5, 2011 at the Daaga Auditorium, St. Augustine Campus.

This year, Professor of Pathology Kathleen Coard received the award for Teaching while two awards each were presented in the categories Research Accomplishments and Service to the University Community. Awardees in the Research category are Professor Minerva Thame, Head, Department of Child Health, Mona, and Professor Vijay Naraynsingh of the Department of Surgery, St. Augustine, while Dr. Anna-May Edwards-Henry, Director of the Instructional Development Unit at St. Augustine and Mrs. Eda Martin, Manager Customer Service, Office of Finance, Vice Chancellery was recognized for outstanding service to the University. Director of the Institute for Sustainable Development, Professor Anthony Clayton was awarded in the category Public Service and Professor Julie Meeks Gardner who heads the Open Campus’ Caribbean Child Development Centre received the award for All-round Performance in two categories: Research Accomplishments and Public Service.

The Vice-Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence was established in 1993 under former Vice-Chancellor, Sir Alister Mc Intyre to recognize high achievement by academic and senior administrative staff of The University of the West Indies. This annual award ceremony is a celebration of the University’s core values, and the recipients of these prestigious awards were persons who have proven themselves the perfect examples of a commitment to the pursuit of excellence. Awards are given in the following areas: 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 the five core areas. Each award, valued at US$5,000, is made after a rigorous assessment and selection process, first at the campus level, then at a University-wide selection Committee for the final selection. Since its inception, 83 Awards for Excellence have been presented at ceremonies rotated among the UWI campuses. The 2011 Awards take the total of prestigious awardees to 90. In addition to this year’s ceremony, St. Augustine campus has been host of the special event in 1997, 2003 and 2008 respectively.