News Releases

UWI Exhibits Advanced Hydroponics and Aquaponics Innovations on World Food Day 2023

For Release Upon Receipt - November 15, 2023

St. Augustine


 

St. Augustine, November 15, 2023 – It's one thing to learn about sustainable farming in a classroom, but it's another to actually see it in action as it makes the importance of water management and food security feel much more real and urgent. Scores of secondary school students from ten (10) schools from across Trinidad had the opportunity to do just that when they marked World Food Day, a global observance by participating in a dynamic showcase hosted by The University of the West Indies (The UWI) St Augustine Campus's Department of Food Production, within the Faculty of Food and Agriculture.

 Held on Thursday, 19th October, at The University Field Station in Mt. Hope, this year's event, themed "Water is Life; Water is Food; Leave No One Behind," cast a spotlight on the vital link between water management and food supply, emphasizing the unique agricultural challenges of the Caribbean in ensuring sustainable agriculture and food security. With representation by the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries / NAMDEVCO, the day of interactive learning was well received.

 The celebration brought to life the theme through a series of hands-on demonstrations in water-efficient farming, featuring hydroponics, aquaponics, and advanced irrigation systems. It offered secondary school students an extraordinary opportunity to engage with cutting-edge water-smart research projects spearheaded by the Faculty of Food and Agriculture. Live demonstrations of hydroponics and aquaponics were incorporated, providing practical insights into innovative agricultural practices thereby fostering a deeper understanding of water's essential role in agriculture and its impact on the future of food production. For the secondary school students, the experience afforded them the opportunity to get to see and participate in the demonstrations, which in themselves would have been eye-opening.

 "It's essential that we expose young minds to these sustainable practices early on," remarked Professor Mark Wuddivira, Dean of the Faculty of Food and Agriculture. “These exhibits are not merely educational; they're a call-to-action for the next generation to be at the forefront of water conservation and food security." The UWI St. Augustine Campus is proud to nurture knowledge, stimulate discussion and lead the charge in pursuing sustainable solutions to the Caribbean's most pressing environmental issues.

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Interactive display by UWI staffer to students of the St. George’s College during the World Food Day event.

 

 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: 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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