Dean of the Faculty of Science & Technology,(formerly Pure & Applied Sciences) and Professor of Supramolecular Chemistry at The University of the West Indies, (UWI) Mona,  Professor Ishenkumba Kahwa, has been elected a Fellow of The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS), formerly known as the academy of sciences for the developing world. 
 
TWAS is an autonomous international organization, founded in 1983 in Trieste, Italy, by a distinguished group of scientists from the South under the leadership of the late Nobel laureate Abdus Salam of Pakistan. The Academy represents the best of science in developing countries, its main mission being to promote scientific excellence and capacity in the South for science-based sustainable development.
 
The Academy's strength resides in the quality and diversity of its membership -- internationally renowned scientists elected by their peers. Professor Kahwa’s election took place at the 23rd General Meeting of TWAS held in Tianjin, China on September 18, 2012. He was informed of the award in a letter from TWAS President, Professor Jacob Palis, who noted that it was in ‘clear recognition of (Professor Kahwa’s) outstanding contribution to science and its promotion in the developing world.’ The award will be presented in September 2013. 
 
Ishenkumba Kahwa holds the Bachelor of Science BSc (Ed) (Hons) and the Master of Science (MSc Inorganic Chemistry) from the University of Dar es Salaam and a PhD (Inorganic Chemistry) from Louisiana State University (USA). He is also a trained asbestos removal supervisor. 
Since joining The UWI, Mona Campus, Jamaica in 1987, Professor Kahwa has established a research programme focused on how charged species (ions) derived from metal atoms interact. Ions can influence each other either through their intrinsic electronic behaviours or cooperative chemical or physical activity. Systems containing such interacting ions have potential as efficient medical diagnostics and therapeutics, catalysts or as inputs for the preparation of new generations of sophisticated materials. He set up a laser laboratory to do this work at The UWI Mona, resulting in the production of over 60 refereed publications.
 
In collaboration with the Labour Studies Programme and the Department of Community Medicine and Psychiatry at The UWI, Mona as well as  with a broad-based coalition of several stake holders from Jamaica and USA, Professor Kahwa has led the development and establishment of a new suite of BSc, MSc, MPhil and PhD programmes in Occupational and Environmental Safety and Health (OESH). The programmes, which began at UWI in September 2006 under Prof. Kahwa’s leadership, are hosted by the Department of Chemistry, Mona and spread to the St Augustine Campus in Trinidad and Tobago in 2009. Over 200 OESH specialists (MSc (OESH)) have been trained at The UWI as a whole. The programme received significant support from the Environmental Foundation of Jamaica and International Labour Organization. 
 
He has also served as Head of the Department of Chemistry (2002-2008) and Dean of the Faculty since 2008. He has received several awards for his work including: CARICOM Science Award (2011), Gleaner Award for Science and Technology (2003), Vice Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Research and Public Services (2004) and Fellow of the Caribbean Academy of Sciences. 
 
Professor Kahwa’s interest in applied sciences has been evident in his public service. He established a programme on the use, handling and disposal of hazardous materials, especially asbestos, and abandoned chemical waste in Jamaica, which has exposed industrial practices that pose a serious threat to public health. This programme has also revealed policy and legislative weaknesses in the management of health and safety in the environment and the work place. 
 
He has helped several public and private sector companies in their hazardous materials removal/management processes and safety training programmes. He has removed or supervised removal, including air monitoring, of asbestos for several companies and government agencies including removal, packaging and disposal of asbestos from a community of about 1,000 people in Old Harbour.