Profiles: Heroes, Role Models and Pioneers of Trinidad and Tobago - by Nasser Khan

20 Agriculture NAZEER AHAMAD (1932-2013) G uyana-born Professor Nazeer Ahmad enjoyed wide international recognition for his work in Tropical Soil Science and traveled to over 85 countries of the world as a consultant and advisor in soil and land use problems. He was awarded the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation in Agriculture (IICA) Gold Medal for his contribution to research in Soil Science in the Caribbean and Latin American Region. Emeritus Professor of Soil Science of the University of the West Indies, he is credited with having improved research and teaching facilities and he developed a postgraduate school of research in Soil Science. He built a sophisticated Soil Science Department that equalled those in developed countries and was the sole or joint supervisor of approximately one hundred research students who are now working in many countries of the world. In 1961, Ahmad accepted a position as Lecturer in Soil Science at his alma mater, now the Faculty of Science and Agriculture, University of the West Indies in Trinidad. He was promoted to Senior Lecturer in 1965 and in 1969 he became Professor of Soil Science and Head of the Department of Soil Science. As he moved through the University ranks, he worked tirelessly to improve research and teaching facilities and developed postgraduate research in this specialised discipline. He was very successful in obtaining research grants from many sources to support his work and that of his students and colleagues. He published over 200 scientific articles including several chapters in books and authored or co-authored three books on Soil Science. He has inspired hundreds of students over the years.