KINGSTON, Jamaica — The University of the West Indies (UWI) celebrated the achievements of its exceptional faculty members last Thursday during a distinguished award ceremony coordinated by the Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) in partnership with the Office of the Deputy Principal. The event recognized 37 lecturers who have demonstrated outstanding dedication and excellence in teaching across the university system.
Among the honorees was Ethnie Miller Simpson, who was presented with the UWI Distinguished Teaching Award for the 2023 to 2025 cycle. This prestigious award acknowledges her exemplary performance and commitment to enhancing the quality of education at the institution.
Miller Simpson accepted the accolade with humility, reflecting thoughtfully on the keynote address delivered by Dr. Rohan Jowallah, Senior Instructional Designer at the University of Central Florida. She shared that one idea from his speech deeply resonated with her: the concept of "the productive struggle of learning." She explained this as a true representation of the journey students embark on to earn their degrees, emphasizing that educators likewise must persistently adjust their teaching methods and course content to maintain relevance and engagement amid changing academic and societal landscapes.
Highlighting the evolving nature of education, Miller Simpson stated that instructors need to continuously refine their pedagogical strategies to ensure that lessons are applicable beyond the classroom and prepare students to meet real-world challenges. She drew attention to the anticipated shifts in educational governance within Jamaica, the Caribbean, and globally, particularly stressing the critical role of technology.
A central theme of her remarks was the increasing significance of integrating artificial intelligence (AI) effectively into Caribbean classrooms. She pointed out that one of the foremost challenges in education from 2026 onward will be ensuring that AI supports meaningful learning experiences rather than serving as a shortcut or superficial academic aid. Miller Simpson cautioned against reducing learning to "an easy cut-and-paste experience" and underscored the responsibility of educators to inspire creativity and nurture practical skills that prepare students for success in their careers and broader society.
