On Monday, January 22, 2024, The University of the West Indies Mona (The UWI Mona) and Guango Wild Garden Conservancy Limited (GWG) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). This MOUwill facilitate research that supports the development of natural products for the nutraceutical industry. These products will be organically and sustainably grown, harvested, and processed to meet the demands of the international nutraceutical industry, which was valued at US$423 billion in 2022. The partnership was driven by Dr. David Picking and Professor Thejani Delgoda from the Caribbean Centre for Research in Bioscience (CCRIB) in the Faculty of Science and Technology.

The signing of the MOU also coincides with the recent launch of the MPhil/PhD in Pharmacognosy, and Ethnobotany and Ethnobiology programmes by the CCRIB. These new programmes will enable students to undertake research and explore the biological activities of Caribbean biodiversity to develop solutions of medicinal significance.

This partnership is a significant step forward for Jamaica's nutraceutical industry. It will allow The UWI and GWG to combine their expertise and resources to develop new and innovative nutraceutical products. The new MPhil/PhD programmes will also help to train the next generation of scientists who will be able to continue this important work.

Photo caption (L-R): Prof. Michael Taylor, Dean, Faculty of Science and Technology, The UWI Mona; Prof. Densil Williams, Principal and PVC, The UWI, Mona; Ms. Nicola Shirley Phillips, Director, Guango Wild Garden Conservancy Ltd; Dr. David Picking, Research Fellow, Faculty of Science and Technology, CCRIB, The UWI Mona; Prof. Thejani Deloga, Interim Director, CCRIB, Faculty of Science and Technology, The UWI Mona; Dr. Susan Leopold, Executive Director, United Plant Savers  at the MOU signing between The UWI and GWG on January 22, 2024.