The Department of Physics in the Faculty of Science and Technology at The University of the West Indies (The UWI), Mona, has formalized a strategic partnership with the World Nuclear Association (WNA), confirmed on April 29, 2025. The agreement was finalized during a meeting with a WNA representative and attended by Professor Venkateswara Penugonda (Head of Department) and Mr. Karlus Redway (Graduat Student) from the Department of Physics.

Through this collaboration, the Department of Physics will serve as the official dissemination partner for the distribution of Nuclear Energy in the 21st Century by Ian Hore-Lacy to selected secondary schools across Jamaica. The initiative aims to enhance nuclear literacy and stimulate interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) among high school students.

This partnership comes at a particularly timely moment, as nuclear education in Jamaica remains primarily focused on research and training, with increasing emphasis on laying the groundwork for future applications of nuclear energy. By introducing this globally recognized resource into the secondary school curriculum, the initiative seeks to inspire curiosity and expand students’ understanding of nuclear science from an earlier stage.

The University of the West Indies plays a central role in advancing nuclear education in the region. Through the International Centre for Environmental and Nuclear Sciences (ICENS), UWI is home to the Caribbean’s only research reactor—a SLOWPOKE-2 (JM-1)—used for both research and training. ICENS also supports national efforts to raise public awareness of nuclear technology through workshops, symposia, and school tours, further strengthening the connection between academic research and public education.

Photo Caption: Mr. Karlus Redway and Professor Venkateswara Pengugonda.

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