July 2014


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Tell me what you’re up to

Thursday May 15 was a perfect day for new academics to meet, network and share an outdoor afternoon tea on the cool Greens at Trinity Hall. About 45 new and not so new UWI St. Augustine staff members, some of whom had never met each other were given an opportunity to meet colleagues from different faculties, hear about their research interests, discuss future possible collaborations, and as many of them said, finally put a face to a name.

After a fun session of chatting with someone unknown and introductions, Allison Dolland, Frank Soodeen and Lorraine Nero shared the services offered by the library and encouraged researchers to tap into the wealth of original Caribbean research material available at the West Indiana and Special Collections Division. Dr. SurendraSurujdeo-Maharaj shared his enthusiasm for cocoa research and was able to impart upon the group the centrality of Trinidad’s cocoa within the International arena. Dr. Erik Blair made comments on the role of the Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL), while Dr. Winston Elibox, an early researcher, shared his publication success story. Cheryl Carter and Indira Jagassar encouraged future networking sessions by early researchers for early researchers, and stressed the need for such interactions, particularly in the grant application process.

This forum was for emergingUWI researchers to meet, network, share experiences, and form collaborations with the potential for developing the Campus’ interdisciplinary research landscape, more publications and research uptake capacity. The group of about 45 represented the Departments of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Life Sciences, Mathematics and Statistics, Creative Arts, Trinity Hall, Health Economics Unit, Health Services Unit, Human Resources, Office of Research Development and Knowledge Transfer, The Alma Jordan Library, School of Education, Campus IT Services, the Cocoa Research Centre and the Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning.