Since its inception, the Anthony N Sabga Caribbean Awards for Excellence has selected eight Trinidadians as laureates in all areas of endeavour: science, art and public work. These are Yao Ramesar (Arts & Letters, 2008); Kim Johnson, Paul Teelucksingh (Arts & Letters and Science & Technology, 2011); Paula Lucie-Smith, 2012 (Public & Civic work); Prof Dave Chadee and Rhonda Maingot (Science & Technology and Public and Civic work, 2013); Prof Liam Teague (Arts & Letters, 2014); and Prof Patrick Hosein (Science & Technology, 2015).
This is quite a remarkable mix of social science, public work, hard science (from entomology to computer science), and shows definitively that Trinis have talent, and not just in entertainment and sports, a release said. The next ANSA Caribbean Awards is in 2017, and nominations are being sought for people of similar achievement. In addition to these areas a new category, of entrepreneurship, has been added as of 2015. Nominations for the 2017 Awards close today.
The ANSA Awards have been in existence since 2005. The institution is dedicated to finding the best Caribbean scientists, artists, public activists and advocates, and as of 2015, entrepreneurs. Each territory of the region (Barbados, Guyana, OECS, Jamaica and T&T) has a nominating committee, which is mandated to bring forward nominees of merit for consideration. However, individuals may also be nominated by members of the public using the forms and following the instructions from the website www.ansacaribbeanawards.com.
The ANSA Caribbean Awards is the only enterprise in the region which has taken forward the quest for Caribbean unity. In the last decade, the awards have sought and found 27 exceptional Caribbean men and women. The laureates have, for the first time, included recognition of members of the Caribbean Indigenous Peoples of Guyana. The prize includes a medal, citation, and $500,000.
To commemorate its tenth anniversary, the awards published a book, The Excellent Decade, which was distributed to Nalis, UWI, UTT, and secondary school libraries. The book features autobiographies of the 27 laureates, and historical details of the awards.