The Department of Chemistry and by extension the Faculty of Science and Technology at The University of the West Indies, Mona notes with regret the passing of our former colleague, Dr. Alfred M.W. Sangster OJ, CD, JP, BSc, PhD, FJIM. 

Dr. Sangster obtained his PhD in Organic Chemistry in 1958, under the guidance of Professor Cedric Hassall (first Head of Chemistry Department). He was an Assistant Lecturer then Lecturer in Chemistry, and supervised several research projects up to 1970, before leaving to take up the position of Principal of the then College of Arts Science and Technology. Dr. Sangster assisted (former PVC and Professor) Leslie Robinson “in the earliest stages of the establishment of the campus in Barbados”.

During his lifetime, he was heavily involved in giving service to society, via chairmanships, directorships, memberships, and consultancies to include institution and societies such as: Merl Grove, Kingston Technical,  UTech Education Foundation; Solar Energy Society; Farquharson Institute; World Future Society; Cooperative Education Association of Science Teachers; School of Theology; Student Christian Fellowship & Scripture Union; Jamaica National Relays, and the Metrication Board. 

Dr. Sangster was an inductee of the Munro College Old Boys Association Hall of Fame, and was a founding father and Chairman of Citizens Action for Free and Fair Elections, (CAFFE) and for this initiative he received the Gleaner’s Special Award in 1999. He was also a Justice of the Peace, and had received the Institute of Jamaica Musgrave Gold Medal and the Munro & Dickenson Trust Award for Excellence. He received the Order of Jamaica (CD) in 1982, and the Order of Jamaica (OJ) in 1995. The UTECH Auditorium, Alfred Sangster Auditorium, was also fittingly named after him.  

May his soul rest in peace.

Click here for more infomation about Dr. Sangster.

Photo caption: Dr. Alfred Sangster

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