CaribPR Wire

TORONTO, Feb. 22, 2017 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ – The University of the West Indies today announced leaders of Canadian and Caribbean heritage to be honored at the eighth annual Toronto Benefit Gala, on Saturday, April 1, 2017, at The Ritz-Carlton Toronto, hosted by CBC News Anchor Dwight Drummond.

Desmond Mpilo Tutu, Archbishop Emeritus of Cape Town, South Africa, will receive the Luminary Award. This award is given to people of Caribbean Heritage who are outstanding achievers on an international scale in their respective fields or people who have brought prominence to the Caribbean or to issues which affect the Region.

Archbishop Tutu has a strong passion for social justice, starting with his unflinching activism against Apartheid since the early 1970s, as the first Black Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa and as Chairman of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in South Africa. He has also used his high-profile position to campaign globally for poverty, HIV/AIDS, racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, and land rights. This is the second time UWI is recognizing the Archbishop for his accomplishments as he received an honorary degree from the university in 1986. Other prestigious acknowledgements he has received include the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984, the Gandhi Peace Prize and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. He will be represented at the UWI Toronto Gala by his daughter, Reverend Canon Mpho Tutu van Furth.

Canadian Senator Murray Sinclair will receive the G. Raymond Chang Award. The G. Raymond Chang award was established to honour outstanding individuals who exemplify the leadership and ideals of G. Raymond Chang (1948-2015). Mr. Chang was a recognized outstanding business leader and philanthropist who embodied great humility and commitment to his fellow persons. Chang, who passed away in July 2014, was the UWI Gala’s patron for five years.

Senator Sinclair served as the Chief Commissioner of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), documenting the history and legacy of Canada’s residential school system that affected the lives of more than 6000 indigenous women and men of First Nations, Inuit and Métis background. Sinclair also served as the justice system in Manitoba for over 25 years and was the first Aboriginal Judge appointed in Manitoba and Canada’s second. He served as an adjunct professor of law at the University of Manitoba. Over the course of his career, he has been recognized for his work in his profession and his community as the recipient of numerous awards, including Honorary Doctorates from eight Canadian universities.

The University of the West Indies Toronto Benefit Gala will also honour one Caribbean organization and five Canadian and Caribbean leaders in the following award categories.

The Chancellor’s Award will be presented to GraceKennedy. Established in 1922 by Dr. John Grace and Mr. Fred William Kennedy, in Kingston, Jamaica, it is one of the Caribbean’s largest group of companies that began as a general mercantile, shipping and insurance business. It operates in the food and financial services industries, with operations in Jamaica, other Caribbean countries, and Belize, the U.S., UK, Canada and Africa. GraceKennedy has also contributed to Jamaica’s development through the years through its two Foundations, generously providing financial assistance to a host of worthy causes. They are the Grace & Staff Community Development Foundation (Grace & Staff) and the GraceKennedy Foundation. The Chancellor’s award is given to organizations, which have contributed significantly to the Caribbean, or outstanding organizations owned by persons of Caribbean heritage.

The Vice Chancellor’s Award, awarded to people of Caribbean heritage who have made significant contributions within their organizations and communities, will be presented to the five community leaders.

Dr. Renn Holness, Consultant Neurosurgeon
Dr. Holness is an alumnus of UWI’s Mona campus and recipient of an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science (DSc). He served as Professor and Head of the Department of Neurosurgery, Dalhousie University and Director of The UWI Clinical Training Programme in Nassau, Bahamas. He served as President of the Canadian Neurological Society and Chairman of the Examining Board in Neurosurgery, Royal College of Physicians of Canada. He is a Professor and Examiner in Neurosurgery in the DM (UWI) Neurosurgery Programme and teaches at Cornwall Regional Hospital in Montego Bay, Jamaica.

Ms. Kay McConney, Businesswoman and Retired Diplomat
Ms. McConney was the youngest Consul-General of Barbados in Canada. She also served as a high-level diplomat at the United Nations (UN) in Geneva, Switzerland; and as a trade negotiator at the World Trade Organization (WTO). In 2009, she founded The Executive Minds which specializes in strengthening institutional and individual capacities for 21^st century environments, through training, coaching and consulting.

Mr. Wayne Purboo, Entrepreneur and Philanthropist
Mr. Purboo is the President, CEO and Co-founder of Quickplay, developing award-winning technologies and forging critical partnerships with market leading content providers, video service providers, handset manufacturers and mobile service operators. He is also active on a number of Boards in Toronto.

Dr. Vivian Rambihar, Cardiologist and Community Activist
Dr. Rambihar is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Toronto and a globally renowned cardiologist, involved in teaching, research and practice in Toronto for 35 years. Since 1990, he has lectured on ethnicity and health, and chaos/complexity and health across the West Indies. He is a pioneer in chaos and complexity science and is the first to apply these ideas to medicine, proposing their use in solving complex world problems, including peace, health, development, poverty reduction and climate change.  

The Honourable Mr. Justice Michael H. Tulloch, Judge, Ontario Court of Appeal
The Honourable Mr. Justice Michael H. Tulloch has been a judge on the Court of Appeals for Ontario since 2012 following nine years on the Superior Court of Justice. He was an Assistant Crown Attorney in both Peel and Toronto.

In 1995, he entered private practice, specializing in criminal law and continued in this practice until his appointment to the Bench in 2003. During his private practice, Justice Tulloch was also appointed a special prosecuting agent with the Federal Department of Justice, participating in a number of commissions. He has been actively involved in post-secondary education as well as numerous community organizations.

In 2011, he was appointed a Distinguished Research Fellow for the Centre of Law and Policy at Ryerson University. He is the recipient of two Honorary Doctorate Degrees. A Doctor of Laws from the University of Guelph and a Doctor of Theology from Tyndale University and Seminary.

The UWI Toronto Benefit Gala brings together Canada’s business and academic communities to celebrate the greatness and tireless work of the honourees, making it a much-anticipated event on the Toronto social calendar. Former honourees include: Dr. Shirley J. Thompson, Food For The Poor, Mr. Stephen Ames, Mr. Wesley Hall, Dr. Paul Steinbok, The Honourable Dr. Hedy Fry, P.C., M.P., Dr. the Honourable Jimmy Cliff, OM, Tessanne Chin,  Roger Mooking and Mr. David Taylor, retired boxer and undisputed heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis, The Hospital for Sick Children, Mary Anne Chambers, Dr. Upton Allen, Dr. Budhendranauth Doobay, The University of Toronto, award winning author Malcolm Gladwell, The University Health Network, Zanana Akande, The Honourable Harry Belafonte; The Right Hon. Michaëlle Jean, former Deputy Chief of Toronto police Mr. Keith L. Forde; Hon. Michael Lee-Chin, OJ; the Hon. Jean Augustine; the Hon. Justice Dr. Irving André and Dr. Karl Massiah, Senator Vivienne Poy and Mr. Charles Coffey.

Under the theme “Light, Learning and Liberty”, The University of the West Indies Toronto Benefit Gala provides funds for scholarships.  Over 250 scholarships have been awarded to date. Over 70 have graduated, most with first class honours. The Patron of the eighth annual Gala is The G. Raymond Chang Family (wife Donette Chin-Loy Chang, and children Andrew Chang and Brigette Chang Addorisio).  Lead Sponsor is Scotiabank for the eighth consecutive year.

Please visit our website www.uwitorontogala.com, or call 416-214-7848 or email the secretariat [email protected], for more information.  At this time, the event is SOLD OUT.

About The University of the West Indies
The University of the West Indies was established in 1948 as a College of the University of London. It achieved full university status in 1962. Today it is the only pan-Caribbean tertiary level institution offering a wide array of diverse and accredited programmes to 45,000 students throughout the region, with campuses in Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Anguilla, Antigua, The Bahamas, Belize, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Turks and Caicos.

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TORONTO, Feb. 19, 2013 /PRNewswire/ – The University of the West Indies (UWI) today announced the honorees for its fourth annual Toronto Benefit Gala, which includes: Dr. Budhendranauth Doobay – renowned cardiologist, community leader, and philanthropist, Dr. The Honourable Lennox Lewis – boxing legend, Dr. Upton Allen – physician and Division Head at Sick Kids Hospital, Nicholas Brathwaite – PETNA co-founder, Dr. The Honourable Mary Anne Chambers – former Ontario Cabinet Minister, Dr. The Honourable Professor Jamal Deen – McMaster University, Honourable Douglas Orane, non-Executive Chairman, GraceKennedy Limited; Ms. Brigitte Shim – celebrated Canadian architect and the University of Toronto.

The UWI Toronto Benefit Gala will be held on Saturday, May 11, 2013 at the Ritz-Carlton, Toronto, and hosted by Vice-Chair for the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League and renowned motivational speaker Michael “Pinball” Clemons and CTV anchor and Arts & Entertainment reporter Andria Case.

Under the theme Light, Learning and Liberty and the patronage of the Hon. G. Raymond Chang, OJ (Order of Jamaica), the UWI Toronto Benefit Gala raises funds for scholarships for outstanding academic achievers in the Caribbean, who are in great need of assistance.  Since the inaugural gala three years ago, 75 scholarships have been awarded.

The event also recognizes the outstanding and tireless work of community leaders. Past honorees include: award winning author Malcolm Gladwell, Dr. The Honourable Harry Belafonte; The Right Honourable Michaelle Jean, Former Deputy Chief of Toronto police Mr. Keith L. Forde, Mr. David Rudder; Hon. Michael Lee-Chin OJ, Olympian Mr. Donovan Bailey, leading professor of medicine Dr. Herbert Ho Ping Kong, Ryerson University and the University Health Network.

Awards in three categories will be presented during the evening to outstanding leaders of Caribbean and Canadian heritage. Dr. Budhendranauth Doobay, who provides spiritual and medical guidance in the community, and Lennox Lewis, retired boxer and undisputed world heavyweight champion are the recipients of the 2013 Luminary Award.

The 2013 Chancellor’s Award will be presented to the University of Toronto.

The Vice Chancellor’s Award will be awarded to six leaders, as follows:

• Dr. Upton Allen is the Chief of Infectious Disease Division at Sick Kids Hospital. He is an alumnus of UWI and McMaster University and practiced at Ottawa General Hospital.
• Mr. Nicholas Brathwaite is the son of Sir Nicholas A. Brathwaite, former prime minister of Grenada. Following a successful and rewarding career in the technology industry he co-founded the PETNA Foundation, a non-profit, charitable organization he started with his wife Janice. PETNA is committed to impacting lives and improving communities. It has provided financial support for students, funds to rebuild homes lost to natural disasters and donated supplies and services
• Mrs. Mary Anne Chambers is a Corporate Director, retired Senior Vice President at Scotiabank and a former Member of Provincial Parliament. She was appointed to the Executive Council of Ontario where she served four years, first as the Minister of Training Colleges and Universities and subsequently as the Minister of Children and Youth Services. In 2010, Ms. Chambers received an honorary doctorate of laws from the University of Toronto.
• Professor M. Jamal Deen is a Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at McMaster University and holds a Senior Canada Research Chair in Information Technology.
• Honourable Douglas Orane is the non-Executive Chairman of GraceKennedy Limited, one of the Caribbean’s largest and most dynamic corporate entities. The company, founded in 1922, was a small trading establishment and wharf operators. It has expanded and diversified from a privately-owned enterprise to a public company listed on the stock exchange of Jamaica, and Trinidad & Tobago.
• Ms. Brigitte Shim is a principal of Shim-Sutcliffe Architects in Toronto, an architecture and design firm interested in the integration of furniture, architecture and landscape. She is also a faculty member at the Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design at the University of Toronto.

In addition to the awards ceremony, silent and live auctions, guests attending the UWI Toronto Benefit Gala will enjoy live performances by internationally renowned Canadian jazz and blues artist Shakura S’Aida, Harpist Elizabeth Asuncion and Panman Pat’s Strolling Band, SwizzleStick Theatre Moko Jumbies and Michie Mee.

Tickets for The University of the West Indies Gala are now on sale and range from $350 – $2000. They can be ordered using the online form at www.uwitorontogala.com, by calling 416-214-7848 or by emailing [email protected].

The University of the West Indies was established in 1948 as a College of the University of London. It achieved full university status in 1962. Today it is the only pan-Caribbean tertiary level institution offering a wide array of diverse and accredited programmes to 45,000 students throughout the region, with campuses in Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Anguilla, Antigua, The Bahamas, Belize, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Turks and Caicos.

For further information:

Ciarlo Communications
Tel: 416-763-3783
Cell: 416-458-5090
Email: [email protected]

                                                             The University of the West Indies hosts 3rd Annual Benefit Gala in Toronto

 TORONTO, Jan. 10, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — The University of the West Indies (UWI) is hosting its 3rd Annual Benefit Gala in Toronto, on Saturday March 10, 2012. Under the theme:  Light, Learning and Liberty, Canada’s business community will honour award-winning author, Malcolm Gladwell, and Zananda Akande, former cabinet minister, as well as other outstanding Canadians: Dr. Pamela Da Camara, Ms. Artis Lane, Dr. Tony MacFarlane, Mr. Lloyd G. Seivwright, Mr. Howard Shearer, Mr. Suresh Sookoo and Mr. Frank Walwyn. Masters of ceremonies at the UWI Gala are award winning journalist and diversity consultant, Hamlin Grange and award-winning journalist Suhana Meharchand, host of CBC News Now. 

The University Health Network, which includes Toronto Western, Toronto General and Princess Margaret Hospitals, is also being honoured as an outstanding institution that facilitates post-graduate training for a number of UWI medical students in Canada, and for providing exceptional care to its communities. Dr. Herbert Ho Ping Kong, a gold medalist in medicine from UWI, is a senior consulting physician at the University Health Network, Chair in teaching of internal medicine at the University of Toronto and co-founder of the Toronto General and Western Hospital’s new Dr. Herbert Ho Ping Kong Centre for Excellence in Education and Practice. “Our internship program provides some of the Caribbean’s best medical students with the opportunity to learn and work at a world-class medical facility. In turn, we benefit from the students’ different perspectives, persistence and determination that are inherent with UWI,” says Dr. Ho Ping Kong. “It’s a win-win for everyone.”

Under the patronage of the Hon. G. Raymond Chang OJ (Order of Jamaica), the UWI Gala is known as a remarkable evening of celebration, embracing Canada’s rich diversity while raising funds to benefit students through the UWI Scholarship Fund and the UWI Haitian Initiative. Dr. Chang is a Director of CI Financial where he recently served as CEO and Chair, and Chancellor of Ryerson University. He is also an honorary graduate of UWI and shares this alumni status with an estimated 1,000 leaders in business, judiciary, medicine, law, engineering, nursing, religion, communications and media sectors throughout Canada.

“This extraordinary evening celebrates UWI and the leadership of the wider Caribbean community in Canada, as well as outstanding students who themselves will one day lead the way in their own communities in the Caribbean, here in Canada and around the world.” Says Chang. He further states, “UWI has a number of sustainable relationships with several universities and colleges across Canada. In fact Ryerson and UWI have collaborated on a number of successful programs.”

The 2012 Luminary award recipients are outstanding leaders in their community and on the international stage. They include Ms. Zanana Akande, the first black woman elected to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario and the first woman to serve as a cabinet minister in Canada and Mr. Malcolm Gladwell, an extraordinary journalist, speaker and author of international bestsellers The Tipping Point: How Little Things Make a Big Difference (2000), Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking (2005), Outliers: The Story of Success (2008), and What the Dog Saw: And Other Adventures (2009).

This year’s Vice Chancellor’s Awardees are: Dr. Pamela Da Camara, former Chief & Medical Director of Laboratory Medicine at Toronto East General and medical laboratory pioneer; Ms. Artis Lane, an award-winning Canadian sculptor and painter; Dr. Tony MacFarlane, Internal Medicine and Cultural Philanthropist; Mr. Lloyd G. Seivwright, President of the Supreme Council of Independent United Order of Solomon Inc. Canada, a not-for-profit, charitable and fraternal organization and education advocate; Mr. Howard Shearer, President and Chief Executive Officer of Hitachi Canada Ltd (HCL); Mr. Suresh Sookoo, Chief Executive Officer of RBC’s Caribbean Banking; and Mr. Frank Walwyn, LLP was recently named as one of Canada’s top lawyers in the area of corporate and commercial litigation.

The University of the West Indies 3rd Annual Benefit Gala will take place on Saturday March 10, 2012 at the Four Seasons Hotel, with interview and photo opportunities available for select honourees. Find additional gala details at http://www.uwitorontogala.com and for more timely updates, follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Building on Success
With such a strong Caribbean community in Canada, UWI has initiated a successful Annual Benefit Gala that will continue to strengthen the relationship between Canada and the Caribbean for years to come. The Gala has become a much-anticipated event on the Toronto social calendar. Over the past two years, over 35 scholarships have been awarded to students who are rising stars in the Caribbean. Former honourees include: Dr. The Honourable Harry Belafonte; The Right Honourable Michaelle Jean, Former Deputy Chief of Toronto police Mr. Keith L. Forde; Hon. Michael Lee-Chin OJ; the Honourable Jean Augustine; The Honourable Justice Dr. Irving Andre and Dr. Karl Massiah.

The funds from the 2012 UWI Benefit Gala will assist the Haitian Initiative and the UWI Scholarship Fund.

About The University of the West Indies
The University of the West Indies (UWI) was established in 1948 as a college of the University of London. It achieved full university status in 1962 and today, is the only pan-Caribbean tertiary level institution offering a wide array of diverse and accredited programs to 40,000 students throughout the region, with campuses in Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica and the Eastern Caribbean.

Proceeds raised will contribute to the UWI Scholarship Fund and Haitian Initiative

 KINGSTON, Jamaica, Feb. 2, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — The University of the West Indies (UWI) is hosting its 2nd Annual Benefit Gala in Toronto honouring Donovan Bailey (Jamaica) and Michael Lee-Chin (Jamaica), among other notable individuals who have made significant contributions to UWI and the Caribbean and Canadian communities. Outstanding individuals to be honoured include: The Honourable Justice Dr. Irving Andre (Dominican), Keith L. Forde, Kamala-Jean Gopie (Jamaica), Dr. Karl Massiah (Barbados) and Dr. John Stewart. Two organizations are also being honoured: Ryerson University for its contribution to the advancement of Caribbean people through its joint programs with UWI, and GAP Adventures, owned by Trinidad born Bruce Poon Tip, for its numerous successes.

 Under the patronage of Dr. G. Raymond Chang, immediate past Chair of CI Financial, Chancellor of Ryerson University and himself, an honorary graduate of UWI, the gala promises to be an evening of celebration, embracing Canada’s rich diversity while raising funds for students in the Caribbean.  Proceeds from the Toronto gala will benefit students through the UWI Scholarship Fund and the UWI Haitian Initiative.

 ”This benefit gala is about supporting students, celebrating the good works of those within our community; and hopefully inspiring others by recognizing the valuable relationship between Canada and the Caribbean,” says Chang.  “This year’s honourees demonstrate our common thread of education, giving back; and service to community, which has added to the rich fabric of Canada.”

 The first man in history to achieve the rare triple title of World Champion, Olympic Champion and World Record Holder, Donovan Bailey is also the first Canadian to break the 10-second barrier in the 100m. Jamaican born, Mr. Bailey now runs Bailey Inc. focusing on real estate and media relations.  He also volunteers his time working with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada and ParticipAction.  Also Jamaican born, Michael Lee-Chin, Chairman, Portland Holdings Inc. is widely regarded as a visionary entrepreneur whose philosophy of “doing well and doing good” has resulted in phenomenal success and inspiring philanthropic initiatives.

“Our University’s proudest achievement is our graduates who are leading all sectors of Caribbean life and, in the case of those who have migrated, contributed amply to communities in North America, Europe and other places to which they have gone”, says Professor E. Nigel Harris, vice-chancellor, The University of the West Indies.  “This Gala will provide another generation of young people with the means to ensure their place in a rapidly changing global marketplace and to engender a robust future for the Caribbean.”

 The gala will take place on March 26, 2011 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Toronto, with interview and photo opportunities available for select honourees. Find additional gala details at www.uwitorontogala.com, and for more timely updates, follow us on Facebook and Twitter.  

About The University of the West Indies Benefit Gala, Toronto

 Building off the success of its inaugural Benefit Gala last year, and with such a strong Caribbean community in Canada, UWI is striving to develop a successful event that will continue to strengthen the relationship between Canada and the Caribbean for years to come.

 The 2010 Benefit Gala was sold out with 460 attendees.  Approximately $230,000 was raised, resulting in 17 scholarships being awarded to students in need.  Those honoured at the inaugural event included: Dr. the Honourable Harry Belafonte, The Honourable Mayann E. Francis, The Honourable Jean Augustine, Professor Dionne Brand, Mr. Austin Clarke, Ms. Maud Fuller, Dr. Herbert Ho Ping Kong, Dr. Robert Moore, Mr. David Rudder, Project Advancement Childhood Education (P.A.C.E), Royal Bank of Canada and Scotiabank.

 About The University of the West Indies Scholarship Fund and Haitian Initiative

 The UWI Regional Endowment Fund (UWIREF) scholarships and bursaries are offered to outstanding students in the Caribbean region who have difficulty financing their university education. The scholarships and bursaries are based on academic excellence and financial need.

The University of the West Indies has accepted numerous Haitian students to complete their degrees at the Mona Campus in Jamaica and St. Augustine Campus in Trinidad and Tobago.

 About The University of the West Indies

 The University of the West Indies (UWI) was established in 1948 as a college of the University of London.  It achieved full university status in 1962 and today, is the only pan-Caribbean tertiary level institution offering a wide array of diverse and accredited programs to 40,000 students throughout the region, with campuses in Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica and the Eastern Caribbean.