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November 2015
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At the Expo’s launch, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Campus Principal, Professor Clement Sankat spoke about the importance of the University’s research agenda. “Research is what distinguishes us from other tertiary education institutions in our country and region. For over six decades The UWI, through its dedicated faculty and students, has contributed to the development of our country and region through research – whether it is in engineering, education, tropical agriculture, law, medicine, history, literature or cultural arts. We have improved the lives of people across the Caribbean region, and in other small island developing states.” The Expo launch and preview event was attended by over 250 patrons, comprising representatives from the public and private sectors, multilateral agencies, and members of the diplomatic corps. The UWI fraternity was also in attendance, with staff, students and alumni, including several members of executive management from the other regional UWI campuses. The keynote address was delivered by Mr. Pedro Gomez Miranda, NLAR Enterprise Chief Technology Officer at Huawei, who spoke primarily on the importance of research and development to business competitiveness. This theme was also echoed by Mr. Tickaram Roopchandsingh, Vice President, Gas Transmissions and Distribution at the National Gas Company of Trinidad and Tobago Limited.\ A highlight of the evening was the launch of the Campus’ commemorative research publication, “Advancing Knowledge, Impacting Lives.” This publication, commissioned by the Office of the Campus Principal in recognition of the Campus’ 55th anniversary, was developed by Professor Patricia Mohammed, editor of the publication and the Coordinator of Graduate Studies and Research at UWI St. Augustine and Head of the Institute for Gender and Development Studies. Prof. Mohammed and her team also produced an accompanying film series comprising eight short films, which highlight research efforts at The UWI St. Augustine Campus.
Many of the Expo displays included live demonstrations of advancements made in various fields, ranging from vermiculture to laparoscopic surgery. There were also demonstrations and facilitated downloads of apps developed by UWI students, including the AGRINETT apps for agriculture and the MAVERICK app, designed to assist the visually challenged to identify money denominations. Attendees were particularly impressed by the 3D printing capabilities of the Faculty of Engineering, as well as the numerous prototypes on show, such as the G-Pan and the Chataigne peeler. Visitors received a variety of seeds developed at The UWI, and they were also able to sample and purchase goods and agricultural products produced at The UWI. The fresh, lactose-free cow’s milk from the University Field Station was a standout, and chocolate connoisseurs familiar with premium quality chocolates fully appreciated samples of the Trinidad Origin 70% ICG,T brand chocolate developed by the Cocoa Research Centre. The external exhibitor booths were also a hit with visitors, who were able to walk away with Polaroids after having their photos taken with the latest phones at the TSTT photo-booth. Free downloads of Windows 10 were also available at the Microsoft booth, while others immersed themselves in the world of robotics at the NIHERST booth. Visitors were keen on going to booths that provided participatory research experiences, such as the booth hosted by the Institute for Gender and Development Studies. This station encouraged visitors to share their perceptions of masculinity, and to share perspectives on how they perceive themselves to be mastering work-life balance. There were also structured tours, which included visits to the Eric Williams Special Collection at the Alma Jordan Library, and tours of the National Herbarium. Free legal aid from the Faculty of Law was offered too. Attendees even participated in performances hosted by the Faculty of Humanities and Education, organized by its Department for Creative and Festival Arts; with demonstrations on how culture and history have influenced Caribbean dance.
The Expo also catered to families and young children, by having age appropriate activities that were available at many of the display units; which even included lessons in how to walk on stilts. The drum circles challenge was also an eye-catcher; being facilitated by the Faculty of Humanities and Education. Overall, the dedicated fun zone was well received, with both children and adults enjoying the activities. The UWI Research Expo, sponsored by the National Gas Company of Trinidad and Tobago Limited, is an initiative led by the Office of the Campus Principal, Professor Sankat. The Principal is of the view that the Expo is a unique, innovative and necessary venture for making the research agenda at the Campus more accessible to the general public. Debra Coryat-Patton is the Senior Programme Manager, and Lois St. Brice is the Project Management Officer of the Research and Development Impact Fund at the Office of the Campus Principal, The UWI St. Augustine. |
The UWI St. Augustine Campus hosted its biennial Research Expo, “Advancing Knowledge, Impacting Lives,” from September 22-25, 2015. The JFK Quadrangle was transformed into a showcase of research activity, exhibiting the work done by both staff and students. The Exhibition hall featured more than 20 booths from the various faculties and departments, as well as its independent research units, centres and institutes. External exhibitors like NIHERST, TSTT and Microsoft, with interactive technological displays, were popular among the booths. 
At the Expo there was a steady stream of visitors, with more than 3000 attendees recorded over the four days. Visitors included approximately 300 sixth form students from schools across the country, including Fyzabad Anglican Secondary, Iere High School, Presentation Colleges in Chaguanas and San Fernando, Sangre Grande Secondary School, Naparima Girls’ High School, Debe Secondary School, Bishop Anstey, Trinity College East Secondary, and Saraswati Girls’ Hindu College. 
There were over 40 very diverse workshops, that covered a wide range of topics, such as: revitalising threatened languages; teacher education; smart grids; food processing; social work; the SEA exam; seismic safety; sensory chocolate assessment; IMF policies; male underachievement; algal biofuels; health financing; dementia prevalence; HIV/AIDS; open source GIS, patois; organizational effectiveness; project management; grant proposal writing; cultural policy; genomics; food security and archaeology.