By Dr. Rikhi Ramkissoon
(Freelance journalist)
LONDON, ENGLAND — In a dazzling display of international excellence, Professor Kiran Tota-Maharaj made headlines at the prestigious Caribbean Global Awards held in London, England. Prof. Tota-Maharaj claimed a remarkable hat-trick of awards, earning special recognition for Global Excellence in Sustainable Hydrosystems Engineering and Circular Resource Innovation.
The grand ceremony, which gathered dignitaries representing 30 Caribbean countries and celebrated over 9000 nominees across 30 diverse categories, underscored the immense talent pulsing through the Caribbean diaspora.
The 2026 Caribbean Global Awards were presented by leading members of the committee Dr. Michaelene Holder-March (sectorial leadership in Healthcare within the NHS), Professor Rotimi Jaiyesimi (medical Professor), John David Beckett Taylor, Baron Taylor of Warwick & member of the House of Lords (Lord Taylor of Warwick is noted as the first Black Conservative peer in UK history) and Reginald Norman Morgan Empey, Baron Empey, OBE, (Reg Empey, Northern Irish politician who served as the acting First Minister of Northern Ireland)
A highlight of the glittering evening was Prof. Tota-Maharaj’s allocades alongside the event’s main recipient, The Honourable Ms. Mia Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados.
Reflecting a proud tradition of honouring transformative Caribbean and West Indian regional figures, this year’s accolades build upon an illustrious roster of past main winners and awardees. The awards have previously recognized powerhouse leaders including Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago Ms. Kamla Persad-Bissessar in 2025, President of Guyana Dr. Irfaan Ali in 2024, and Prime Minister Mia Mottley in her prior triumphs starting from 2023. Tota-Maharaj’s triple victory firmly cements his legacy among these titans of Caribbean achievement.
To fully understand the magnitude of this year’s Caribbean gala, one must look at how the event has evolved into the premier platform for global Caribbean recognition. Founded to bridge the gap between homeland achievement and diaspora excellence, the committee curates a night where scientists, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and artists stand side-by-side.
Professor Tota-Maharaj’s pioneering framework in hydrosystems engineering aligns seamlessly with the core ethos of the 2026 summit, which heavily prioritized climate resilience, sustainable infrastructure, and circular resource management. Attendees noted that his technical breakthroughs provide a scalable blueprint for vulnerable island nations facing escalating environmental pressures.
Furthermore, the evening served as a vibrant cultural exchange, featuring keynote addresses that underscored unity and economic cooperation.
As the flashbulbs caught Professor Tota-Maharaj celebrating alongside other Caribbean visionaries, observers recognised the symbolic weight of the moment: scientific innovation meeting political leadership to forge a sustainable, prosperous tomorrow for the entire Caribbean region.
