A group of researchers from the Faculty of Science and Technology (FST), The University of the West Indies, Mona (The UWI Mona), recently met with Professors Stig Jarle Hansen and Bishal Sitaula from the Norwegian University of Life Sciences to explore potential areas for future research collaboration.

 

The FST team included Dr. Howard Reid of the Mona Institute of Applied Sciences; Professor Mona Webber of the Department of Life Sciences; Professor Dale Webber of the Centre for Marine Sciences; and Randy Arid of the Department of Physics.

 

During their visit, the professors were introduced to FST’s research priorities, graduate programmes, and existing areas of academic strength. Professor Sitaula expressed particular interest in the breadth of research being undertaken across the Faculty and the opportunities that may exist for developing meaningful partnerships in the future. The discussions highlighted several areas of shared interest, including climate science, the impact of climate change on fisheries, biodiversity in Small Island Developing States, food security, fisheries protection, and the use of ship-tracking technologies to support efforts against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated fishing in Jamaican waters. Professor Sitaula also enquired about the funding landscape available to support research at the local, regional and international levels, as well as the Faculty’s current collaborations with universities and research partners overseas.

 

The engagement provided a valuable opportunity to showcase FST’s role in advancing research that responds to pressing environmental, developmental and sustainability challenges facing Jamaica and the wider Caribbean.

 

The visiting academics were in Jamaica to attend a Blue Justice project event hosted by the National Fisheries Authority (NFA). The event featured the screening of the short film Taking Back our Oceans, held on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, at the S Hotel in Kingston.