News Releases

The UWI and T&T Chamber of Industry and Commerce Forge Path Toward Collaborative Development

For Release Upon Receipt - July 31, 2025

St. Augustine


ST. AUGUSTINE, Trinidad and Tobago. July 31, 2025 – In a move that signals a new era of collaboration between academia and the private sector, the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce (T&T Chamber) and the Department of Behavioural Sciences, of The University of the West Indies (The UWI-St. Augustine Campus), have signed a Research and Innovation Partnership Agreement. This landmark accord aims to strengthen national development through joint research, structured knowledge exchange and innovation.

 The recent signing in late June represents a strategic step toward deepening alignment between the academic community and the business sector—two drivers of innovation that have historically worked in parallel, but not always in tandem. The agreement is designed to close that gap between academia and business by fostering purposeful university-industry collaboration, moving from co-designed research to enterprise development.

 “This agreement is a progressive and timely step forward,” said Ms. Sonji Pierre-Chase, President of the T&T Chamber. “The gap between academic research and business application has often hindered innovation. This partnership reflects our shared belief that we must work hand-in-hand to develop homegrown solutions that are both research-informed and commercially viable. Our business community is rich with opportunity—but unlocking that potential requires the kind of insights and talent that reside within our universities.”

 

 The President of the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce (T&T Chamber), Mrs. Sonji Pierre-Chase

 The agreement establishes a framework for long-term cooperation in several key areas, including applied research, commercialization of academic findings, innovation incubation, technical training, and student-industry engagement. It also emphasizes the importance of evidence-based policymaking and enterprise competitiveness in a rapidly evolving global economy.

 Professor Rose-Marie Belle Antoine, Principal of The UWI St. Augustine Campus, remarked: “Research and innovation both play a critical role in our sustainability and success, and by extension, the genuine development of our region. Yet, here can be no innovation without research. In this regard, research partnerships that bolster innovation are especially essential as we navigate the many rapidly changing global issues that confront us. This MOU represents yet another instance of The UWI, St Augustine Campus fulfilling its mandate to further the country’s development in collaboration with industry partners as we take the lead on national development issues. We are proud of our continued partnerships with the private sector and look forward to collaborating in areas that have a significant impact on our national development goals, including economic development, crime and justice reform, and sustainability.”

 

 Pro Vice-Chancellor and the Principal of The University of the West-Indies (The UWI), St. Augustine Campus, Professor Rose-Marie Belle Antoine.

 The partnership is expected to unlock new opportunities for cross-sector innovation, empower students through experiential learning, and foster a culture of co-creation that is essential for sustainable economic growth.

 This Research and Innovation Partnership Agreement stands as a bold statement of intent: that the future of Trinidad and Tobago must be built on the foundation of collaboration—where academic insight and entrepreneurial action work hand-in-hand to shape a smarter, more resilient, and globally competitive nation.

 END

 

 About The University of the West Indies

 The University of the West Indies (The UWI) is the Caribbean’s premier higher education institution and one of only two regional universities in the world. With 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 continues to be a beacon of academic excellence, research innovation, and societal impact. Consistently ranked among the world’s best by Times Higher Education (THE), The UWI is a global leader in addressing critical challenges, including climate change, sustainability, and development.

 As The UWI St. Augustine Campus celebrates its 65th anniversary in 2025 under the theme Beyond 65: From the Caribbean, For the World, it pays tribute to its Caribbean roots while highlighting its contributions to solving global challenges. This milestone underscores the campus's significant role in producing ground-breaking research and fostering talent that transcends regional boundaries to shape a better world. The UWI St. Augustine’s researchers, academics, and graduates continue to make an international impact, exemplifying the university’s mission to serve the region while influencing the world.

 Learn more at www.uwi.edu 

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