News Releases

Youth-Driven Innovation:UWI and CAF Chart the Future of Caribbean Economic Growth

For Release Upon Receipt - October 30, 2024

St. Augustine


The University of the West Indies (The UWI) St. Augustine Campus, in collaboration with the CAF Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean, recently hosted the CAF Innovation Series, a thought-provoking event that showcased how innovation can transform lives, drive job creation, and fuel economic growth across the Caribbean. The event, themed “Accelerating Innovation-Based Economies in the Caribbean,” took place as an engaging fireside chat on Thursday, October 3, 2024, at the Daaga Auditorium, highlighting the critical need for Caribbean countries to embrace innovation as a pathway to sustainable growth.

Dr. Curtis Charles, Director of Academic Affairs at The UWI Five Islands Campus, captured the essence of this mission, saying, “We naturally teach students to come out and get a job…. for me when I think about innovating the Caribbean economy, I think about setting the atmosphere from the moment you get into college, it should really be in the high schools.”

His words resonated with the core message that Caribbean youth are a vital force in driving innovation. The discussion delved into essential themes such as the role of funding, cultivating a forward-thinking youth mindset, and preparing to meet the challenges and seize the opportunities of a rapidly evolving global economy.

 

Photo 1. [L-R] Moderator, Mr. Khamal Georges, CAF - Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean, Dr. Camille Wardrop-Alleyne, Aerospace Engineer, CEO, President, Founder Arusha Space, LLC, Dr. Curtis Charles, Director of Academic Affairs, The UWI Five Islands Campus, Dr Stacy Richards-Kennedy Regional Manager for the Caribbean CAF - Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean and Mr. Alexander Figueroa, Chief Operating Officer, Trust of the Americas.

 

Photo 2. Dr Stacy Richards-Kennedy Regional Manager for the Caribbean CAF - Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean delivering opening remarks.

 

Photo 3. Mr. Alexander Figueroa, Chief Operating Officer, Trust of the Americas, contributing to lively discussions at the CAF Innovation Series.

 

Photo 4. Professor Brian Cockburn, Dean Faculty of Science and Technology participating in the question-and-answer segment of the CAF Innovation Series.

 

Photo 5. Students and staff listen intently to discussions at the CAF Innovation Series.

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 center of all efforts to improve the well-being of people across the region for over 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 nearly 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 Global Campus, and global centres in partnership with universities in North America, Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Europe.

The UWI offers over 1000 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 the wider world.

The UWI has been consistently ranked among the best in the world by the most reputable ranking agency, Times Higher Education (THE). Since The UWI’s 2018 debut in THE’s rankings, it has performed well in multiple schemes—among them including World University Rankings, Golden Age University Rankings (between 50 and 80 years old), Latin America Rankings, and the 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 Well-being; Gender Equality and Climate Action.

Learn more at www.uwi.edu   

 

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