The man credited with steering the University of the West Indies (UWI) Mona campus on to a modernised path was yesterday formally presented with the 2009 Gleaner Honour Award for excellence in education.

UWI principal, Professor the Honourable Gordon Shirley, OJ, received the award during a ceremony at the newspaper's North Street offices, central Kingston.

He was recognised for his accomplishments in expanding the medical and law faculties; improving student relations and facilitating greater accountability among academic and other staff.Prof Shirley, Jamaica's former Ambassador to Washington, DC, became principal of the UWI Mona campus in September 2007, and has been reshaping the institution since.

"Most notable of his achievements are his re-engineering of the Mona School of Business into a profitable, self-sustainable institution, with endowments for research and entrepreneurial studies," said the citation read by the chairman of The Gleaner Honour Awards Selection Committee, Professor Gerald Lalor.

Great contribution

"This he seems destined to replicate, or even surpass, in executing the University of the West Indies' Strategic Plan for 2007-2012, which is aimed at consolidating the quality and scope of the University of the West Indies' contribution to higher education.

"Though he can easily boast of his distinguished career as a diplomat, educator and administrator in higher education," said the citation, "Professor Shirley is always quick to point to the efforts of his staff members in helping him to accomplish his career goals."

The newspaper's chairman and managing director, Oliver Clarke, congratulated the UWI principal and praised him for the transformation taking place at the university.

Professor Shirley hailed the work of his team at the university and dedicated the award in their honour.