Office of the Pro Vice-Chancellor and Principal. Thursday, March 12, 2026—It is with deep sadness that The University of the West Indies (The UWI) Global Campus mourns the passing of Dr. Tomlin Paul, Deputy Principal of The UWI Mona Campus. His passing represents a profound loss to the regional academic community and to the many lives he touched, professionally and personally, throughout his distinguished career.
Dr. Paul was a respected physician, educator, and academic leader whose life was defined by service to others. Over several decades at The UWI, he contributed significantly to the advancement of medical education and public health. Having joined the Mona Campus as a lecturer in 1990, he went on to serve in numerous leadership roles, including Programme Director for the MBBS programme, Deputy Dean, Dean of the Faculty of Medical Sciences at The UWI Mona from 2017 to 2021, and, in 2023, Deputy Principal.
A passionate advocate for excellence in health professions education, Dr. Paul championed student engagement, quality improvement, and social accountability in medical training. His leadership helped guide the Faculty of Medical Sciences toward international recognition, including the ASPIRE-to-Excellence Award in Medical Education for Social Accountability from the Association of Medical Education of Europe (AMEE).
Beyond his administrative and academic roles, Dr. Paul was widely admired for his humility, compassion, and unwavering commitment to mentorship. He was a thoughtful teacher and an inspiring leader who consistently placed people and community at the heart of his work. His scholarly contributions, reflected in more than fifty publications and collaborations with regional and international health institutions, have left an enduring impact on medical education and public health in the Caribbean and beyond.
Global Campus Principal, Dr Francis O. Severin reflects, “Dr Paul’s passing leaves a ‘gaping’ space in our lives, which will be difficult, if not impossible, to fill. On a more personal level, it was always refreshing and edifying to have a conversation with him, and one always emerged from such interactions feeling not only informed, but also with a sensibility that even though there was not complete concurrence on the issues, he had deep respect for your views and the context which caused you to draw your conclusions. Everyone says, Dr Paul epitomised student centredness and care, and I can vouch for this. It is truly a difficult time for all of us.” As members of The UWI family, the Global Campus Senior Management Team joins in mourning the loss of a distinguished colleague whose dedication and service strengthened our institution and enriched our Region. We extend heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time. May his life of service remain a guiding light to all who seek to uplift others through education, leadership, and care.
About The University of the West Indies
The University of the West Indies (The UWI) has played a crucial role in Caribbean development for over 75 years, consistently contributing to the improvement of the well-being of people across the region.
Established in 1948 as a university college of London in Jamaica, with just 33 medical students, UWI has grown into an internationally respected, global university with nearly 50,000 students. Today, it boasts five campuses: Mona in Jamaica, St. Augustine in Trinidad and Tobago, Cave Hill in Barbados, Five Islands in Antigua and Barbuda, and its Global Campus, along with international centres in partnership with universities across North America, Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Europe.
The UWI offers over 1000 certificate, diploma, undergraduate and postgraduate degree options in Culture, Creative and Performing Arts, Food and Agriculture, Engineering, Humanities and Education, Law, Medical Sciences, Science and Technology, Social Sciences, and Sport. As the leading university in the Caribbean, it is home to the largest pool of intellect and expertise in the region, dedicated to addressing the critical issues facing both the Caribbean and the wider world.
Validated by its inclusion in the Times Higher Education (THE) annual rankings since 2018, The UWI has affirmed its position as one of the top universities globally. It stands out as the only English-speaking institution in the Caribbean featured in four of THE's prestigious ranking lists. The World University Rankings evaluate over 2,000 research-focused universities worldwide, while the Golden Age University Rankings highlight institutions established between 50 and 80 years ago. The Latin America Rankings focus specifically on universities within Latin America and the Caribbean. Additionally, the Impact Rankings assess universities based on their contributions to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
This recognition has also springboarded the establishment of The UWI’s International School for Development Justice (ISD), a global online graduate business school aimed at preparing future leaders for sustainable development.
The UWI is an SDG-engaged university consistently recognised among the best in the world. Discover more at www.uwi.edu.
