The Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology at The University of the West Indies (The UWI), Mona, has embarked on a new collaborative research initiative in partnership with the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), United Kingdom, and Jamaica’s National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA). The project, titled “National Water Quality Monitoring in Jamaica under the Sustainable Blue Economies (SBE) Programme,” is being led by Dr. Debbie-Ann Gordon-Smith, whose research focuses on environmental and analytical chemistry, with particular emphasis on water quality assessment, marine pollution, and coastal environmental monitoring.

 

Through this collaboration, the Department has received GBP 50,784.00 from Cefas to conduct comprehensive water quality testing of Jamaica’s coastal waters until March 2026. The scope of work includes field sampling, laboratory-based chemical analyses, and the preparation of technical reports to support national environmental monitoring and management efforts.

 

 

A key feature of the project is its strong educational component. With additional funding from Cefas, a geoscience education initiative has been incorporated to provide undergraduate chemistry students with hands-on training in marine water quality sampling, analytical techniques, and data reporting. This component is designed to strengthen student capacity in applied environmental science while directly linking academic training to national development priorities.

 

 

The project is funded under the Sustainable Blue Economies (SBE) Programme, a UK Government–funded initiative aimed at supporting sustainable use, protection, and management of marine and coastal resources. This partnership underscores the Department of Chemistry’s continued commitment to impactful research, international collaboration, and the training of future scientists equipped to address pressing environmental challenges in Jamaica and the wider Caribbean.