标签： Dominica

The University of the West Indies Global Campus announced with profound sorrow the passing of Dr. Tomlin Paul, Deputy Principal of the Mona Campus, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. The esteemed physician and academic leader leaves behind an indelible legacy in medical education and public health throughout the Caribbean region.

Dr. Paul’s remarkable career at The UWI spanned over three decades, beginning in 1990 when he joined as a lecturer. His progressive leadership journey saw him assume multiple pivotal roles including Programme Director for the MBBS programme, Deputy Dean, and ultimately Dean of the Faculty of Medical Sciences from 2017 to 2021 before his appointment as Deputy Principal in 2023.

A visionary in health professions education, Dr. Paul pioneered initiatives emphasizing student engagement, quality enhancement, and social accountability within medical training. His transformative leadership was instrumental in guiding the Faculty of Medical Sciences to achieve international acclaim, most notably the prestigious ASPIRE-to-Excellence Award in Medical Education for Social Accountability from the Association of Medical Education of Europe.

Beyond his administrative accomplishments, Dr. Paul was revered for his compassionate mentorship and humble demeanor. Colleagues and students alike cherished his people-centered approach to leadership and his exceptional ability to foster respectful dialogue even amidst differing perspectives. His scholarly influence extended across more than fifty publications and numerous collaborations with regional and global health institutions.

Global Campus Principal Dr. Francis O. Severin memorialized Dr. Paul as an irreplaceable figure who epitomized student-centered care. “Dr. Paul’s passing leaves a ‘gaping’ space in our lives,” Severin reflected, noting his unique capacity to make colleagues feel respected and valued during discussions.

The UWI Global Campus Senior Management Team joins the broader academic community in honoring Dr. Paul’s extraordinary contributions to institutional development and regional advancement. The university extends deepest sympathies to his family, friends, and colleagues, expressing hope that his lifetime of service will continue inspiring those dedicated to educational excellence and compassionate leadership.

DOMLEC has issued an official clarification regarding the widespread power interruption that affected its network on March 11, 2026, confirming that the incident was unrelated to the upcoming geothermal plant integration. According to Daryl Dalrymple, Manager of ET&D at DOMLEC, the outage resulted from an unexpected system fault during preparatory work at the Fond Colé power station.

The electrical company was conducting critical reconfiguration procedures to accommodate the future interface with the geothermal energy facility when a technical fault triggered a cascade failure. This malfunction caused multiple generators at the Fond Colé plant to trip offline simultaneously, creating an extensive service disruption across the network.

Dalrymple emphasized that the geothermal plant itself performed without issues and remains disconnected from the main grid during this preparatory phase. The prolonged restoration period resulted from the complete shutdown of Fond Colé generators necessary for the reconfiguration work, compounded by technical challenges encountered when reactivating the units.

DOMLEC technicians worked extensively to restore power to all affected customers, though the process required additional time due to complications with bringing certain generators back online. The company maintains that the incident represents a temporary setback in their broader strategy to integrate renewable geothermal energy into Dominica’s power infrastructure.

The utility provider reassures the public that commissioning activities for the geothermal plant will continue as planned, with the incident providing valuable operational insights for future system integration projects.

The Caribbean’s renowned ‘Nature Island’ is preparing to showcase its ecological treasures through HikeFest 2026, an immersive month-long celebration scheduled throughout May. Organized by the Dominica Hotel & Tourism Association (DHTA), this annual event transforms the island into an adventurer’s paradise with the compelling theme “Beyond the Beaten Path.”

The festival is strategically designed to reveal Dominica’s most spectacular and less-traveled natural wonders, from hidden waterfalls and secluded lakes to pristine forests and dramatic mountain ridges. This initiative represents a conscious shift toward sustainable tourism practices that distribute visitor impact while providing authentic experiences.

Throughout five consecutive Saturdays in May, participants can select from professionally guided expeditions categorized by difficulty levels. The curated schedule accommodates all adventure appetites—from gentle nature walks perfect for families to challenging full-day treks for experienced hikers. Each excursion is led by certified guides who provide fascinating commentary on local ecology, historical significance, and cultural heritage.

The comprehensive program features seven primary hikes:
– May 2: Boeri Lake (Moderate, 1.5 hours) and Trinity Lakes (Challenging, 3 hours)
– May 9: Chemin Letang Trail (Moderate, 3 hours)
– May 16: Jaco Flats (Challenging, 2.5 hours)
– May 23: Middleham Trail Segment (Easy, 1.5–2 hours)
– May 30: Boiling Lake (Challenging, 6–8 hours) and Charles Warner Trail (Easy, 1 hour)

Supplementing these weekend adventures, three mid-week excursions on May 14, 18, and 21 offer additional opportunities for exploration.

DHTA executives characterize HikeFest as both a tourism product and conservation movement that fosters deeper appreciation for Dominica’s natural assets. The event reinforces the island’s positioning as the Caribbean’s premier adventure destination while encouraging responsible exploration practices.

Registration details and additional information are available through DHTA’s direct contacts: telephone (767) 275-7454 or email info@discoverdominica.com.

A senior official from the Dominica Meteorological Service has issued a public appeal following acts of vandalism against crucial environmental monitoring equipment. Ashar Bryan, an Instrument Technician, disclosed the security breach during an appearance on the ‘Disaster and You’ program broadcast by state-owned Radio DBS.

The incident occurred at a strategic water level monitoring station situated on the Bailey Bridge leading to Concord, en route to Horseback Ridge. According to Bryan, unidentified individuals severely damaged the solar panel powering the station, likely using rocks or similar projectiles. While the critical equipment remains operational despite the attack, the protective glass on the solar panel was completely shattered.

Bryan expressed particular concern that children might be responsible for the destruction, though emphasized the importance of avoiding assumptions without evidence. The technician made a heartfelt plea for community awareness, urging citizens to educate both themselves and their children about the purpose of scientific instrumentation deployed across the island.

Emphasizing the collective importance of these monitoring systems, Bryan explained that the equipment serves as an essential component of Dominica’s early warning infrastructure. The data collected provides meteorologists with vital information to forecast potential hazards and issue timely public advisories. Damage to these systems compromises the entire community’s safety by eliminating crucial preparation time during emergencies.

The 2026 International Reparation Debate Competition (IRDC), hosted by the Centre for Reparation Research at The University of the West Indies, has concluded its preliminary rounds following days of intellectually rigorous discourse. Secondary school delegations from Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, The Bahamas, Guyana, and the United Kingdom engaged in profound examinations of reparatory justice, addressing dimensions from economic policy and historical accountability to cultural restoration and political diplomacy.

This academic tournament now advances to its knockout phase commencing March 16, where remaining institutions will confront increasingly complex questions regarding colonial legacies and contemporary justice. Early rounds demonstrated exceptional rhetorical skill, with Trinidad and Tobago’s Arima North Secondary successfully arguing against debt cancellation as reparations versus Jamaica’s Charlemont High. Jamaica’s Merl Grove High secured a narrow victory against Guyana’s Queen’s College debating whether Caribbean economic advancement is feasible without reparative measures.

Notable preliminary achievements included Trinidad’s Goodwood Secondary advocating strengthened post-colonial alliances against The Bahamas’ C.V. Bethel Senior High, while San Fernando Central Secondary prevailed over Jamaica’s Knox College regarding infrastructural development as reparative action. Defending champions St Joseph’s Convent Port of Spain (Trinidad) maintained dominance alongside triumphs by Presentation College Chaguanas, Fatima College, and Herbert Morrison Technical High.

Second-round highlights featured Trinidad’s Queen’s Royal College overcoming Jamaica’s Wolmer’s Boys’ School regarding diplomatic versus confrontational reparations advocacy. The UK’s Rawlins Academy delivered a compelling argument that reparations fundamentally concern dignity restoration beyond economic compensation, defeating Presentation College Chaguanas.

Individual excellence was exemplified by Kennedy Valley of Fatima College achieving the highest speaker score during preliminaries. The competition provides Caribbean youth with crucial platforms for developing research, advocacy, and public speaking competencies while critically examining historical justice frameworks. With expanded international participation including returning UK institutions, all debates are streamed globally via the Centre’s YouTube channel.