Professor Ishenkumba Kahwa has been appointed Deputy Principal of The University of the West Indies Mona Campus effective October 1, 2013, the UWI Vice Chancellor has announced.
 
Professor Kahwa previously served as Dean of the Faculty of Science & Technology and Professor of Supramolecular Chemistry at The University of the West Indies, (UWI) Mona.
 
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). 
 
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.
 
  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.
 
Just last year Professor Kahwa was 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.
 
As Deputy Principal, Professor Kahwa assumes responsibility for academic quality assurance, campus security and the UWI Western Jamaica Campus. The main departments which fall under the Deputy Principal’s portfolio include the Office of Student Services and Development , Office of Student  Financing, Centre of Excellence for Teaching and Learning, the UWI Health Centre and the UWI Bookshop.