SUNDAY 14 MAY, 2017 – UWI TODAY
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teaching methodologies to enhance the way students
learn. For instance, knowing that companies like
Google and Facebook were heavily involved in data
analytics, he set up a Master of Science programme
in Data Science. The Msc in Computer Science – his
professorial specialty – has a component of wireless
technology that is in high demand. With TTLab,
he has also made it possible for students to network
internationally, underscoring his belief that students
need to be prepared intellectually tomeet the needs of
today’s world and that this is best done by strategically
placing themwhere demands are greatest. His activity
is solidly placed at the start of the innovation pipeline.
In the Faculty of Engineering, there is emphasis
on the product creation activities associated with
the middle of the innovation pipeline. On May
25, for example, the Department of Mechanical
and Manufacturing will hold its Conference and
Exhibition to showcase equipment designed and
built by students to make improve the work efficiency
of farmers and manufacturers. Students have been
constructing equipment to process a wide range of
crops like cassava, sweet potato, dasheen, breadfruit,
pigeon peas, coconuts and a basket of others, all of
which canmake agriculture more attractive as a sector
for development. The cocoa pod splitter may just
be a first in the world and its commercial potential
is enormous, given the international demand for
chocolate.
Similarly, at the recent Research Symposium
held by the Faculty of Science and Technology, some
of the presentations have enormous implications for
world health. The late Professor Dave Chadee, in
whose memory the Symposiumwas dedicated, would
be proud. The winning presentation, delivered by
Antonio Ramkissoon, a PhD student inMicrobiology
in the Department of Life Sciences, is a wonderful
example of the value of academic research. Without
giving away details prematurely, it is likely that when it
has made its way through the pipeline to commercial
application, it will significantly impact on the ongoing
battle against many mosquito-borne diseases.
We at The UWI are ready and able to start
the process of building and engaging a sustainable
wealth generation engine. However, we recognize
the fact that success can only come when industry,
academic institutions and governments join us in
forging a powerful partnership that will strengthen
the innovation capacity of regional economies for
economic growth. We look forward to growing this
partnership in the immediate future.
PROFESSOR BRIAN COPELAND
Campus Principal
EDITORIAL TEAM
CAMPUS PRINCIPAL
Professor Brian Copeland
DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS
Dr Dawn-Marie De Four-Gill
EDITOR
Vaneisa Baksh • email:
CONTACT US
The UWI Marketing and Communications Office
Tel: (868) 662-2002, exts. 82013 / 83997 or email:
CAMPUS NEWS
Just a few days ago,
I was
particularly delighted
to welcome participants
to the Conference on
S c i enc e , Te chno l og y
and Innovation in the
Caribbean. The conference
provided an opportunity to
restate the mission of the
St. Augustine Campus to
create an innovative and
entrepreneurial university,
a vital partner to industry and to Governments in
Caribbean development.
In explaining the vision, I reminded the
audience that experts agree that innovation, defined
as the application of new knowledge for positive
societal benefit, is a necessary component of wealth
generation, which is itself necessary to fuel sustainable
development. Furthermore, the most complete wealth
generation engine involves, at least in the specific case
of commercial products, the creation of or access to
cutting edge scientific research which can motivate
product conception and creation. Once viability is
determined, the new product is legally protected, and
prepared for the market entry. At the same time, the
required production system is developed as well as a
corresponding marketing strategy. The new product is
then put into sales and distribution. At The UWI, this
process that takes a brand new concept tomarket entry
is referred to as an
“Innovation Pipeline.”
Significant to this condensed description of the
innovation pipeline, is the fact that any infusion of
newness into the product enhances its competitiveness
through differentiation, thus increasing its chances of
being a true innovation. This, by the way, suggests
that the innovation pipeline needs not terminate solely
on brand new products but also on improving the
competitiveness of existing products and processes.
Also significant, is the fact that, in developed countries,
a relatively substantial proportion of profits, some
4% of GDP in the US, are used to fund the R&D in
the innovation pipeline; this, in fact, completes the
structure of the wealth generation engine. However,
in the developing world, not only are some
“parts”
of
the innovation pipelinemissing, but the contribution to
the R&D cycle components are also significantly lower,
some 0.04%of GDP in the case of Trinidad and Tobago.
There is no question that we at The UWI have to
expand our thinking from the traditional research for
publicationmodel tomove to amodel that connects our
research to innovation. There is clear evidence that the
Campus has started the process of building the pipeline
and nurturing the knowledge that it will transport.
Last month, I attended the first professorial
lecture of Professor Patrick Hosein, who spoke on
the subject of
“Research, Innovation and Education
in STEM.”
He described his work in a wide range of
fields, and how he has designed courses and adjusted
FROM THE PRINCIPAL
OUR RESEARCHMATTERS
The UWI has formally
appointed Mr. Robert Bermudez as its
sixth Chancellor. The appointment came after members of the
University Council accepted the recommendation of the Search
Committee for the Chancellor at the Council’s annual business
meeting, held on April 27, 2017 at the Cave Hill Campus in
Barbados.
The Chancellor holds the highest office inThe UWI system
and its powers and responsibilities are laid down in The UWI
Charter, Statutes, Ordinances and Regulations.
Now formally Chancellor Designate, Mr. Bermudez is
expected to serve a seven-year term beginning on July 16, 2017.
He succeeds Sir George Alleyne who has served as Chancellor
since 2003.
“The University has had the benefit of
a series of very impressive Chancellors
who have provided vital insights into its
governance. Maintaining the ethical order
of the institution is a task not to be taken
lightly. To be considered as a successor to
Sir George Alleyne is in itself an honour,”
Our Sixth
Chancellor
Mr. Bermudez, a national of Trinidad and Tobago, has
been an entrepreneur for over 40 years. He has expanded his
family-owned business throughout the Caribbean and Latin
America and has enjoyed a distinguished career, serving as
either Chairman or Board Director for several other corporate
bodies in Trinidad and Tobago and the Caribbean. His
vision for the University outlines a keen sense of the mission,
effectiveness, relevance and interdependence of academia and
the economy. His professional experience as a Caribbean-wide
entrepreneur with business acumen garnered from across the
region suggests that he will continue the distinguished tradition
of Chancellorship of the University.
It is clear that he is mindful of its stature. “The University has
had the benefit of a series of very impressive Chancellors who
have provided vital insights into its governance. Maintaining the
ethical order of the institution is a task not to be taken lightly.
To be considered as a successor to Sir George Alleyne is in itself
an honour,” he said.
In extending congratulations to the Chancellor Designate,
Sir George remarked, “It is a privilege to have served as the
Chancellor of my University for the last 13 and a half years and
I was happy to preside over my final meeting of the University
Council at which Mr. Robert Bermudez was appointed as
Chancellor. I assured Mr. Bermudez that I will be at his service
to provide any help he may wish as he transitions into his new
role. I am confident that The UWI made the right choice.”
