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UWI takes Leading Role in Championing Sustainable Energy Hosting Caribbean's 1st Hydrogen Symposium

For Release Upon Receipt - October 24, 2023

St. Augustine


 

 Mr Phillip Julien, Chairman of Kenesjay Green limited delivers remarks on setting the context: call to arms -environmental and economical imperative at the 1st Hydrogen symposium.

  St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago. October 24, 2023- The University of the West Indies (The UWI) St. Augustine Campus marked a crucial moment in its pursuit of a sustainable energy future on September 21, 2023, by hosting the Caribbean’s first Hydrogen Symposium on campus at the Faculty of Engineering. The inaugural symposium, which attracted global attention, was held in partnership with the Hydrogen Research Collaborative (H2RC), an initiative focused on advancing "New" Hydrogen with minimal carbon emissions, uniting industry leaders and experts from around the world and thereby emphasising the Caribbean's role in pioneering renewable energy. The symposium was dedicated to championing a clean and green energy transition and academic institutions and private sector entities have joined forces to support this monumental initiative.

 At the core of H2RC's mission is positioning the Caribbean as a world leader in embracing new hydrogen technology within the global sustainable energy transition. This transformation relies on education and research tailored to the region's energy sector. The symposium explored Hydrogen as a catalyst for Green Energy Transition, Green Jobs, Green Opportunities, and Energy Financing.

 In delivering his remarks, Philip Julien, Chairman, of Kenesjay Green Ltd and a member of the Hydrogen Research Collaborative (H2RC), celebrated the fact that a multi-disciplinary team would be researching the topic and noted that he was pleased to see UTT and UWI collaborating. Mr. Julien also urged the audience to become “hydrogen warriors” by supporting this journey where academia and the private sector work to conceptualize solutions to combat the looming effects of climate change. 

 The focus on renewable energy is particularly timely as small island states are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of the changing climate. During his keynote address, Dr Devon Gardener, Head of Technical Programmes at the Caribbean Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency noted that Caribbean economies are very climate-sensitive.  Additionally, he outlined the areas that would be affected by unchecked climate change including agriculture, fisheries, and tourism.

 Professor Bheshem Ramlal, Dean of The Faculty of Engineering at The UWI underscored the profound impact of climate change on the Caribbean. "We are experiencing extreme heat, intense rainfall, and more intense storms and hurricanes…It is incumbent on us as a people, as a region, to collaborate and leverage our resources to address these challenges." Professor Prakash Persad, President of the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT), emphasized the significance of bridging the gap between government, private industries, and academia. He stated, "It is especially pleasing to see the close collaboration between the UTT and The UWI. It is my hope that this collaboration deepens and extends into other research areas with formalization. It is important that we work together."

 The First Hydrogen Symposium featured influential presentations and speakers who unveiled innovative technologies and policies for accelerating hydrogen adoption in the Caribbean region. Moreover, it emphasized hydrogen's critical role as a clean alternative to fossil fuels, offering a reliable and efficient solution for achieving net-zero emissions and showcasing the Caribbean's commitment to a sustainable energy future. At the symposium, attendees paused to pay tribute to Emeritus Professor Kenneth Julien, an eminent figure in the local energy sector, a pioneering "hydrogen warrior" as well as The UWI St. Augustine's inaugural T&T-born engineering lecturer with

a PhD.  As the establishment of the Professor Kenneth S. Julien Endowment Fund was announced, the distinguished Professor was notably present in the audience.

 The Hydrogen Research Collaborative organizing committee extends thanks to the sponsors, moderators, participants, and service providers whose contributions were instrumental in making this symposium a success.

 END

 

 Dean of the Faculty of Engineering Professor Bheshem Ramlal converses with Professor Prakash Persad President of UTT at the 1st Hydrogen Symposium.

 About The University of the West Indies 

 The UWI has been and continues to be a pivotal force in every aspect of Caribbean development; residing at the centre of all efforts to improve the well-being of people across the region for the past 75 years. 

 From a university college of London in Jamaica with 33 medical students in 1948, The UWI is today an internationally respected, global university with near 50,000 students and five campuses: Mona in Jamaica, St. Augustine in Trinidad and Tobago, Cave Hill in Barbados, Five Islands in Antigua and Barbuda and its Open Campus, and global centres in partnership with universities in North America, Latin America, Asia, Africa and Europe.

 The UWI offers over 800 certificate, diploma, undergraduate and postgraduate degree options in Culture, Creative and Performing Arts, Food and Agriculture, Engineering, Humanities and Education, Law, Medical Sciences, Science and Technology, Social Sciences, and Sport. As the Caribbean’s leading university, it possesses the largest pool of Caribbean intellect and expertise committed to confronting the critical issues of our region and wider world.

 The UWI has been consistently ranked among the top universities globally by the most reputable ranking agency, Times Higher Education (THE). The UWI is the only Caribbean-based university to make the prestigious lists since its debut in the rankings in 2018. In addition to its leading position in the Caribbean in the World University Rankings, it is also in the top 25 for Latin America and the Caribbean and the top 100 global Golden Age universities (between 50 and 80 years old).  The UWI is also featured among the leading universities on THE’s Impact Rankings for its response to the world’s biggest concerns, outlined in the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including Good Health and Wellbeing; Gender Equality and Climate Action.

 2023 marks The UWI’s 75th anniversary. The Diamond jubilee milestone themed “UWI at 75. Rooted. Ready. Rising.” features initiatives purposely designed and aligned to reflect on the past, confront the present, and articulate plans for the future of the regional University. 

 Learn more at www.uwi.edu

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