UWI Seismic Research Centre celebrates 70th anniversary
Seven decades ago, The UWI Seismic Research Centre (SRC), was established. Today, the centre provides an important service to the region, monitoring and studying earthquakes, volcanoes, and tsunamis in the English-speaking Eastern Caribbean, as well as timely and reliable information to the governments and people of the region.
Their 70-year legacy was celebrated at a commemorative event that brought together Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley and senior members of the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, UWI Chancellor Mr Robert Bermudez, leaders and other members of the campus community, representatives of the public and private sectors, and many of the people who served with SRC over its seven-decade history.
The event, titled “Honouring Legacies and Fostering the Future”, was held on July 21 at UWI St Augustine.
“As we reflect on the achievements of the UWI Seismic Research Centre over the past 70 years,” SRC Director Dr Erouscilla Joseph told those in attendance at Daaga Auditorium on the St Augustine campus, “let us celebrate the tremendous strides we have made together. Our commitment to scientific excellence, regional collaboration, and the well-being of our communities has brought us this far.”
Dr Rowley – a geologist and the first Caribbean-born, UWI-trained scientist to be appointed director of the SRC - gave the feature address at the ceremony. The Prime Minister called on all students of The UWI, past and present, to appreciate the work of the centre and the university itself.
“This is a legacy not only to be cherished by those directly involved, but to be nourished by every student who enters and claims UWI as alma mater,” Dr Rowley said. “It also should be a beacon and an imprimatur for every lecturer and researcher in every single department, with a motto that says Oriens Occidente, that light shining in the west. We are all rays in that great beam. Let us all endeavour to keep shining.”
Professor Rose-Marie Belle Antoine, The UWI St Augustine Campus Principal, said the SRC is “one of our flagship UWI institutions”, and it has “served the nation, the region, and its people with distinction, passion, and technical expertise over the years”.
She highlighted the SRC’s role in communities as an example of The UWI at its best.
“Who in Trinidad and Tobago is not aware of the SRC?” she asked rhetorically. “Who among us has not awaited the UWI stamp of approval when we felt a tremor?”
Prof Antoine also tied the SRC’s 70th anniversary with The UWI’s 75th anniversary, also taking place this year:
“Seventy five years ago, our CARICOM forefathers came together and decided it was time to move forward. It was time to generate knowledge from within...We celebrate that vision.”
Also in attendance at the event were President of the Senate Nigel de Freitas, Education Minister Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly, National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds, Social Development and Family Services Minister Donna Cox, and Minister in the Ministry of Education Lisa Morris-Julian.
Dr Joan Latchman, the former director of SRC, also spoke, introducing Dr Rowley to the audience for his feature address. Dr Latchman worked with PM Rowley at the centre during his time there.
The commemorative event, hosted by The UWI SRC, was the latest this year on campus as 2023 marks The UWI’s 75th anniversary. The diamond jubilee milestone, themed “UWI at 75. Rooted. Ready. Rising.”, includes several events and activities designed to celebrate the regional university.
For more information on UWI SRC, visit https://uwiseismic.com/.
For more on The UWI’s 75th anniversary celebrations, visit https://uwi.edu/75/.
