The Faculties of Science and Technology and Engineering at The University of the West Indies (The UWI), Mona, have partnered with STEMpower Inc. to establish a Mini-STEM Centre, creating more opportunities for pre-university and university students in Jamaica to learn through practical experience.
The two-year initiative, titled “Establishing and Supporting Mini-STEM Centres to Strengthen Science Instruction with Hands-on Enrichment”, will support efforts to strengthen Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education at the secondary and tertiary levels.
Under the partnership, STEMpower Inc. provided approximately US$32,000 in laboratory equipment and operational support. The equipment arrived in July 2026 and includes resources for establishing electronics and virtual laboratories, giving students greater access to tools that support practical learning and experimentation.
Professor Gunjan Mansingh, Dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology, highlighted the partnership’s potential to strengthen STEM education.
“This partnership with STEMpower Inc. represents a transformative step for practical STEM education in Jamaica. By establishing this Mini-STEM Centre, we are not just receiving approximately US$32,000 in laboratory equipment; we are building a sustainable ecosystem for hands-on learning,” she said.
Photo caption: Professor Gunjan Mansingh
Beyond equipment and operational funding, STEMpower Inc. will provide technical assistance, staff training, training-of-trainers support, guidance on laboratory organisation, and support for monitoring and evaluation. These measures will help ensure that the facilities are used effectively and that the initiative’s benefits continue beyond the initial project period.
The UWI will provide laboratory space and lead the coordination and implementation of the programme, working with schools and other education stakeholders to increase students’ exposure to practical STEM activities. The Centre will build on existing outreach initiatives for secondary school students while creating opportunities to strengthen educators’ skills and the Faculties’ capacity to support hands-on instruction.
Mr. Edwin Kumfa, CEO of STEMpower Inc., emphasised the organisation’s commitment to practical STEM education and the value of university partnerships in reaching young people.
“STEMpower, being an organization that supports STEM education through hands-on lab experiences, is committed to donating to deserving communities, while banking on the community outreach programs of the universities that it partners with. We believe that the youths in a community are the future of technology in that community, they are the innovators who can shape the ‘tech-scape’ in any region,” he said.
He added that STEMpower’s network of STEM centres creates opportunities for young people to move from being technology users to innovators and creators, equipping them with the practical STEM skills needed to solve local challenges and develop solutions with global impact.
Photo caption: Mr. Edwin Kumfa
By combining resources, expertise and community outreach, The UWI and STEMpower Inc. aim to improve access to laboratory-based learning, strengthen science instruction and support the continued expansion of hands-on STEM education in Jamaica.
Published on 21 Sep, 2026
Our 7 faculties and 12 professional schools offer more than 200 programmes to some 18,000 graduate, undergraduate and continuing studies students.
The UWI, Mona ranks first in Jamaica among accredited tertiary-level programmes. In 2012, the University was again one of Jamaica’s Top 100 Employers.
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