12
UWI TODAY
– SUNDAY 1st NOVEMBER, 2015
The Impact
of
Our Research
B Y D E B R A C O R Y A T - P A T T O N A N D L O I S S T . B R I C E
RESEARCH EXPO 2015
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 featuredmore than 20 booths from the various faculties
and departments, as well as its independent research units,
centres and institutes. External exhibitors like NIHERST,
TSTT andMicrosoft, with interactive technological displays,
were popular among the booths.
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 GomezMiranda, 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
The Expo also catered
to families and young
children, by having
age appropriate
activities that were
available at many of
the display units.
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 PatriciaMohammed,
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.
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.
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
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 Electronic Pan and
the Chataigne peeler.
