News Releases

UWI Issues $10,000 Cash Prize for Unconventional Disaster Relief Research & Inventions

For Release Upon Receipt - August 26, 2024

St. Augustine


Finding solutions from the general public

St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago – August 26, 2024 – Caribbean populations are particularly vulnerable to damage caused by natural disasters, as evidenced by the intense aftermath of Hurricane Beryl across the region. This unfortunate shared plight is also the reason why Caribbean people are uniquely poised to create a path towards disaster resilience. The University of The West Indies (UWI) St Augustine Campus has launched the new Hurricane and Earthquake Alleviation Research (HEAR) Award with a $10,000 cash prize—a direct response to the recent tremendous earthquake and hurricane events and an encouraging invitation for research and innovation beyond traditional academic spheres. 

Applications are open to any researcher or innovator who is researching or has invented something that minimises the damage and suffering caused by hurricanes and earthquakes. It is open to UWI staff and students, as well as the wider public, including participants from other tertiary institutions and secondary schools across Trinidad and Tobago.

The HEAR Award is part of The UWI St Augustine’s 2024 Principal’s Research Awards—an initiative focused on inclusivity and exceptional research. Professor Duraisamy Saravanakumar, Director of Graduate Studies and Research at The UWI St. Augustine and lead for the event emphasised, that "Research should not be confined only to conventional academics. This year's research awards are themed 'Research by all and Research for all.' We encourage our stakeholders not only to see this as an opportunity for research to reduce the impact of hurricanes and earthquakes but also as an opportunity for outreach.” The HEAR Award’s ultimate goal is improving disaster mitigation and resilience and offering a platform for everyone to contribute to the region’s safety and well-being.

The winner of the HEAR Award will receive their cash reward of TT$ 10,000 at the Principal’s Research Awards Ceremony carded for Thursday, November 14, 2024.

HEAR Award Submission Details

The deadline for submission of applications is 11:59 p.m. on Friday, September 06, 2024. For application guidelines, more information, and to view the list of 2023 award recipients, please visit https://sta.uwi.edu/researchawards/research-awards 

About The UWI Principal’s Research Awards

Launched in 2023, the Principal’s Research Awards are designed to recognize and reward the outstanding researchers of The UWI St. Augustine Campus for their significant contributions over a five-year period. These awards celebrate excellence in research and aim to inspire and promote a strong research culture across campus and beyond.

The Principal's Research Awards recognize outstanding research contributions from The UWI St. Augustine Campus for the period 2019-2024. Categories include the Principal’s Award for Best Researcher, Most Impactful Community Research, Best Team Research, and the Principal’s Special Innovation Award. Additionally, awards will be given for the Most Outstanding Graduate Researcher and the Mentorship Award.

In 2023, the awards recognized significant research on topics like COVID-19, Asphalt-Based Sealants, and strengthening LGBTQI and GBV partnerships. This year, we eagerly anticipate recognizing new research that addresses the pressing challenges of disaster preparedness.

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Notes to Editor

 

Flashback: At centre, Professor Rose-Marie Belle Antoine, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Campus Principal of The UWI St. Augustine Campus with winners of the 2023 Principal’s Research Awards

About The University of the West Indies

The University of the West Indies (The UWI) is the Caribbean’s premier, higher education institution. One of only two regional universities in the world, it comprises five campuses across the English-speaking Caribbean and global centres in partnership with universities in North America, Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Europe. The UWI has been consistently ranked among the best in the world by the most reputable ranking agency, Times Higher Education (THE).

Learn more at www.uwi.edu

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