Local Astronomer Dr Shirin Haque is pleased that more Caribbean girls are doing better in the area of Science.
Dr Haque is the 2020 winner of the Anthony N Sabga Caribbean Award for Excellence in the area of Science and Technology.
Speaking on CNC3’s The Morning Brew Dr Haque said it is an emotional and humbling experience in being chosen for the award.
She said while it has always been tough for women in Science, the Caribbean is showing great promise.
She said it’s fantastic that in the Caribbean girls are doing better in Science.
“And they have actually been progressing well so we just have to keep the momentum up and we can keep doing great things.”
Dr Haque explained that worldwide there are 13,000 astronomers and only 20 per cent of those are women.
As she gets ready to accept the award she does so on behalf of all women in her field.
“It’s almost like it’s on behalf of women in science.”
Dr Haque is also a senior lecturer, former deputy dean and former head of the Department of Physics, at the University of the West Indies, St Augustine.
She is the first and only woman to head the department to date.
In 2018 she also became the first woman to be awarded the prestigious CARICOM Science Award.
Dr Haque will receive her Anthony N Sabga Caribbean Award for Excellence in the area of Science and Technology Friday.