News Releases

Research Festival and Principal’s Research Awards to Showcase UWI-STA Excellence

For Release Upon Receipt - November 9, 2023

St. Augustine


 

 Professor Rose-Marie Belle Antoine, Campus Principal The UWI, St. Augustine Campus, stands alongside sponsors of The UWI Research Festival and Principal’s Awards [L-R]: Mr. Naylan Dwarika, Communications Officer, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Mr. Ugo Blanco, Resident Representative, UNDP, Mr. Narine Charran, Permanent Secretary (Ag.), Ministry of Youth Development and National Service, Professor Duraisamy Saravanakumar, Director of Graduate Studies and Research and His Worship Balliram Maharaj, Mayor of Arima.

 St. Augustine, November 9, 2023. – In an emphatic call to use research to turn problems into solutions, Professor Rose-Marie Belle Antoine, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Campus Principal of The University of the West Indies (The UWI), St. Augustine Campus launched the Research Festival and Principal’s Research Awards on Friday, November 3, at the Main Salon of the Office of the Campus Principal. Establishing the festival as the means by which The University can share the important work of the campus with the public and policymakers, the media launch set the stage for what promises to be an extraordinary exhibition of creativity and academic rigor at the upcoming festival.

 Based on the theme "75 Years of Relevance, Responsiveness, and Research Innovation for A Better Life, Environment, and Sustainability,” the research festival aims to showcase UWI’s impactful research, ignite innovation among the youth, strengthen collaborations across sectors, and champion data-driven, science-informed decision-making. With all eight faculties, being represented, at the heart of The UWI’s mission is the commitment to ensure that the public and policymakers are cognizant of the university's dynamic role—not merely in the esoteric scholarship sense but as a powerhouse of practical research that catalyzes real-world progress.

 In her remarks, the CP stressed the significance of research for The UWI, as the need to drive innovative research is demonstrated in pivotal areas such as food security, where our scientists are at the forefront; in the fight against climate change, pioneering AI and robotics; and in the innovation of climate-resistant materials essential for our future. Additionally, with The St. Augustine campus, having produced three (3) scientists recently honoured with the nation’s highest accolade, the O.R.T.T., the University stands at the forefront of global research excellence, ranking in the top 1.5% of universities worldwide.

 A fine example of ingenuity based on research is the Chataigne Peeler stands out. Crafted by mechanical engineering student Nishad Gopaulchan, the peeler simplified the once arduous process of peeling the fruit and made the preparation of approximately 100 chataigne fruits in an hour possible. An innovation that has truly fostered tangible, positive change in our communities and beyond. Furthermore, this year's Research Festival and Principal’s Awards are a testament to the partnerships between The UWI and leading organizations such as the UNDP, National Flour Mills, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, and the Office of the Mayor of Arima. Moreover, His Worship Balliram Maharaj, Mayor of Arima made a presentation to The University, signifying the collaborative support that is vital for the progression of research and innovation.

 Therefore, The UWI’s Research Festival and Principal’s Research Awards are quite timely. Mr. Ugo Blanco, Resident representative, of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), a key UWI partner, indicated that the UNDP had identified joint research and development activities intended to support national and regional development issues as a priority area, hence the timeliness of this UWI initiative.

 Stressing that partnerships were integral to realizing government thrust, Mr. Narine Charran, Permanent Secretary (Ag.), of the Ministry of Youth Development and National Service made a plug for specific research into advanced high-density and pest-resistant planting material to fuel the Ministry's programmes, encouraging the University to put foodstuff planting material on our research agenda in support of the reduction of the country's food import bill by 2025.

 At the Campus Principal’s Award ceremony, awards will be presented for Best Researcher and the Most Outstanding Graduate Researcher Award, among others, showcasing the depth and breadth of research excellence at The UWI. The UWI warmly invites persons to experience research in action at the Research Festival on 23rd November 2023 from 9:00 am – to 6:00 pm on the JFK Quadrangle at the St. Augustine Campus.

 END

 

 Professor Rose-Marie Belle Antoine, Campus Principal The UWI, St. Augustine Campus explains the importance of the Research Festival and Principal’s Awards to the audience at the media launch on Friday 3rd November 2023.

 

Rapt Attention: A cross-section of the audience of key stakeholders at the Media Launch of The UWI’s Research Festival and Principal’s Research Awards on Friday 3rd November 2023 at the Main Salon of the Principal’s Office at the St. Augustine Campus.

  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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