Research Day this year (January 29-30, 2004) was an all ‘Science, Technology and Innovation (STI)’ affair. Well-deserved kudos go to the high-level strategic thinker, Principal Kenneth Hall, who decided on the STI theme, and to Dean Ronald Young, and the Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences generally, who embraced the theme with zest.

The STI theme was tackled in several ways to give the public and the university community a peep into the world of UWI Mona scientists.

First, there were the Research Day activities proper, and this time STI was the central theme. These activities kicked off with an opening ceremony at which an eloquent and critical yet complimentary address was delivered by Dr Keith Mitchell, the Prime Minister of Grenada.

An eminent science entertainer, Professor David Phillips of Imperial College London, provided memorable quality science entertainment to specially invited school children and the public at large. For two days, Professor Phillips was in top flight, demonstrating chemical reactions and physical phenomena with high-impact audio-visuals.

Secondly, all Departments in the Faculty opened the doors to their research and teaching laboratories for one-on-one engagement with curious members of the public on research in progress, available equipment, and posters featuring the work of the Faculty.

Professor Alice Amsden, Professor of Political Economy at MIT, has the rapt attention of (from left) Professor Ronald Young, Professor Ishenkumba Kahwa, and Deputy Principal Mr Joseph Pereira.

Thirdly, Principal Hall proposed and sponsored a publication featuring STI work of the Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences which was to be available on Research Day. Again, the Faculty responded with gusto: 45 articles were contributed to make a beautiful volume entitled “Science, Technology and Innovation: UWI Mona Leading the Nation,” which I edited. The volume features UWI’s STI achievements on research into vexing questions about the environment, biotechnology, natural products, materials, climates, electronics, computer science, natural and man-made hazards, rocks, science education, environmental health, community health, marine life, food, land, the alumina industry, tourism, and much more.<Next>

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Newsletter of the Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences
The University of the West Indies, Mona Campus

Edited and compiled by
Anne Lyew-Ayee
Department of Geography and Geology
e-mail: anne.lyewayee@uwimona.edu.jm

Technical assistance: Christopher Muir