UWI Mona Campus / PSOJ Research Days 2017 Partnership
Posted: January 26, 2017
The University of the West Indies, Mona Campus and the Private Sector Organization of Jamaica (PSOJ) have announced a unique arrangement, where PSOJ member companies will be able to benefit from evidence-based research from the Mona Campus when focusing on areas that contribute to the growth agenda. The university will also be paying more attention to those research areas guided by the Economic Growth Council’s eight identified areas of growth.
The plans were announced as part of the launch of the 18th staging of the UWI Mona’s Research Days at the Exhibition Seminar Room, Faculty of Medical Sciences Teaching & Research Complex on Tuesday, January 10.
The 2017 Research Days will present a range of research projects across the Mona Campus’ various faculties departments and institutes, showcasing the immense scope of its efforts to add to the region’s existing body of knowledge. It also will highlight the relevance of Mona’s research to the lives of everyday Jamaicans.
Professor Archibald McDonald, Pro Vice Chancellor and Principal, UWI Mona, said his organization’s contribution is to the benefit all communities.
“Research and innovation are only worthwhile if they have direct beneficial and positive impact on the welfare and livelihoods of the community we serve,” said Prof McDonald in his welcome.
PSOJ president Paul B. Scott revealed that the two entities have brokered an agreement to offer more scholarships to fund research.
“In our small island nation we must realize that we cannot develop businesses without research. We the private sector must drive innovation," said Mr. Scott.
He went on to say that the private sector must engage partnerships relevant to their own goals.
"We must support research and development, done efficiently and scientific as it is at the UWI... You have our support and confidence," Scott declared.
UWI Research Days 2017 will give insight on over 70 areas of research across the University’s programmes under the theme, “Driving Development through Research and Innovation”. The research on display will include work from Humanities and Education, Medical Sciences, Faculty of Law, Institute for Gender and Development Studies, Mona Social Sciences, Mona Geoinfomatix Limited, The Centre for Disability Studies, The Disaster Risk Prevention Centre, Caribbean Child Development Centre and The Consortium for Social Development And Research.
“Partnerships such as these show the importance of UWI Research Days, which is relevant to this country,” said Professor Denise Eldemire-Shearer, UWI Mona Research Days Steering Committee Chairperson. “UWI facilitated and executed research is necessary, because since we are a local institution, we have an understanding of the local situation — culturally, economically, politically, and socially.”
Professor Eldemire-Shearer went on to outline a few of UWI’s contributions to national policies.
“Firstly, the PATH (Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education) was influenced by the early research of Patricia Anderson and Michael Witter in 1991. Our environmental law has been fashioned by the research done by Professor Mona Webber and company over in the Marine Sciences; and currently, the climate change policies are being influenced by the work of Professor Michael Taylor and his group. UWI research has shaped Jamaican national policies from 20 years ago through to now,” she expounded.
Attendees at UWI Research Days 2017 on the Mona Campus will also be able to view interactive displays over three days from February 1 - 3, 2017.