News Releases

UWI Math Fair Highlights Mathematics as the Engine in an AI-Driven World

For Release Upon Receipt - February 20, 2026

St. Augustine


St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago – February 20, 2026 – “In our ever-changing world increasingly driven by artificial intelligence, mathematics will become even more important in the future for careers,” asserted Professor Adesh Ramsubhag, Dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology at The University of the West Indies (The UWI) St. Augustine campus. Professor Ramsubhag was addressing faculty, secondary school students and teachers at the opening of the 8th UWI Math Fair. “While AI can automate many tasks,” he affirmed, “human reasoning, judgment and interpretation as well as quantitative skills such as data analytics will become more valuable than ever.” This fair, held on Thursday 5th February, 2026, attracted participation from a wide cross-section of secondary school students, teachers and parents, drawing approximately 3000 attendees.

 

 An overhead view capturing the turnout and bustling activity at The UWI Math Fair 2026, held on Thursday 5 February 2026 at the JFK Quadrangle, The UWI, St. Augustine.

  For several years the Math Fair has raised awareness of math careers and the indispensable influence of mathematics across industries. At this year’s event speakers emphasized the value of the theme “Island Innovators: Mathematics Powering the Future” noting that the assembled students would be the problem solvers, thinkers, designers and developers of tomorrow. Professor Duraisamy Saravanakumar, Director of Graduate Studies and Research, explained, “Our region faces unique challenges such as climate change, food insecurity, and economic shifts.” He also issued the challenge to students, saying, “We need your logical mathematical minds to solve them” And expressed hope that the experience would inspire them to join The UWI and learn to become island innovators. 

 CEO of the Ministry of Education, Dr. Peter Smith, appealed to the audience to appreciate the value of  Mathematics by referring to it as “ the quiet engine behind almost everything shaping our future” and  stressed that “it involves recognizing that mathematics is not culture-free but rather deeply connected to cultural, social and environmental context.”

 The session’s feature speaker Dr. Philbert Morris, a former Head of the Mathematics Department and now lead of his own software transportation consulting firm, observed that mathematics is essential to cut through all the noise and encouraged participants to “think of using mathematics to look at problems in a way in which you abstract, simplify and see the problem.  Nothing else. You focus on the problem. And that is the strength of mathematics.”

 Dr Sreedhara Rao Gunakala, Chair of the Math Fair and Head of the Department of Mathematics & Statistics, emphasized that “Mathematics is not optional; it is essential in today’s world, powering AI, climate solutions, renewable energy, and modern technology. The UWI Math Fair highlights how mathematics helps solve real Caribbean challenges and inspires the next generation of innovators.”

 

 (L–R) Dr. Akhenaton Daaga, Co-ordinator of The UWI Math Fair 2026; Dr. Philbert Morris, Featured Speaker; Mr. Asad Mohammed, Master of Ceremony; Professor Sreedhara Rao Gunakala, Chair of the Math Fair and Head of the Department of Mathematics & Statistics; Professor Adesh Ramsubhag, Dean of the Faculty of Science & Technology; and Dr. Peter Smith, CEO of the Ministry of Education, at the official opening of The UWI Math Fair 2026 on Thursday, 5 February 2026, at the JFK Auditorium, The UWI, St. Augustine.

 

 The opening session also featured special presentations to scholars who have made significant contributions to mathematics education. Dr. Charles de Matas was recognized for being a cornerstone of The UWI Department of Mathematics from 1996 until his retirement in 2025. Dr. Indra Haraksingh from the Department of Physics was also recognized for her work in renewable energy, and for decades of service as Chairperson of the Trinidad and Tobago Mathematics Olympiad and as a Coach preparing students for international competition.

 The interactive booths featured activities emphasizing the practical applications of mathematics and students expressed interest in related career opportunities while gaining an appreciation of how mathematics is being utilized in emerging fields.

 As the 8th UWI Math Fair demonstrated, mathematics is no longer simply a subject to be mastered, it is a strategic capability for the future. From powering AI and data science, to strengthening climate forecasting and disaster risk reduction, mathematics will be the language behind the solutions that shape our region and the world. At The UWI, St. Augustine, that future is being built now by equipping students with the reasoning, creativity and quantitative confidence to lead in innovations that are cutting-edge and also Caribbean-relevant.

 

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 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.

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