Kingston, Jamaica; Known for cutting edge performances that defy rules of traditional expression,  popular performing group No-Maddz returns to the UWI Research Days arena, this time with a two-fold engagement on Tuesday, February 10, and Wednesday, February 11, 2015.  This year’s involvement follows a free, standing-room only concert that closed the 2014 Main Exhibition staging, much to the delight of the crowds of students that packed the venue to see the unusual end to the annual exposition of research from the Mona Campus.

“This year we have re-worked the formula to once again engage the Mona students, while still keeping the offerings fresh and unexpected, “ explained Professor Denise Eldemire Shearer, Chair of the UWI Mona Research Days 2015 Planning Committee. “This time around the No-Maddz members will actually have an interactive tour of the Tent Exhibition on Tuesday at 2pm, and perform the closing concert on Wednesday at 4pm. Both events are free to the public”

Professor Shearer explained that students and other members of the public were encouraged to join the Tuesday Tent Tour, which will be conducted on microphone by the No-Maddz members. Patrons accompanying the group at that time would not only be able to experience the displays from the one-of-a-kind perspective of the No-Maddz, observing to their questions comments and antics, but would also be able to ask questions of their own and possibly win prizes.

The multi-award winning dub poetry group comprising of Sheldon Shepherd, Everaldo "Evie" Creary , Christopher "Birdheye" Gordon, and O'neil Peart, promises an even better concert for the closing day of the 2015 exhibition. “We plan to include lyrics specifically for the occasion, dealing with some of the issues raised in the 2015 Research Days theme - Innovating for Development through Science, Creativity, Productivity and Governance. Of course we will also be giving the audience the hits that they know and love – just with a twist, a little something extra,” said Shepherd.
While in the form of entertainment, this final lesson that Research Days has to offer is one specially designed for the students.  “The discussion will give students an idea of the range of research that they can undertake whether as an undergraduate or postgraduate student,” said Professor Shearer. “Our Research Days presentations show them that UWI Mona allows them to research topics that they are passionate about, and get a degree out of it.”

No-Maddz To Research…2
The free concert will close the Tent Exhibition, serving as the penultimate event for Research Days 2015. It is followed later in the evening by the Faculty Research Awards Ceremony where outstanding researchers will be honoured for their 2014 achievements.
As the University positions itself to deepen its partnership with Private and Public Sector entities to power national development, its Research Days endeavour continues to play an integral role in the building of relationships with both internal and external stakeholders.  The February 9 – 11 event which is open to the public and free of cost, will go a far way towards justifying the institution’s existence though tangible evidence of its contribution to everyday Caribbean life.