The UWI’s New Research Cluster Sets the Stage for Collaborative Innovation Across the Caribbean

Over 300 regional leaders, academics, and policymakers took part in the First Sustainable Futures Open Virtual Conference, hosted by The University of the West Indies (The UWI) on September 11 and 12. This significant conference marked the launch of the University’s Sustainable Futures Research Cluster.

The primary objective of the Cluster is to advance knowledge in sustainability, propose and implement innovative solutions, foster collaboration, inform policy, engage communities, and secure funding for sustainability research and innovation within the Caribbean region.

It was endorsed by Senator the Honourable Professor Prakash Persad, Minister of Tertiary Education and Skills Training of Trinidad and Tobago, who spoke during the opening ceremony of the two-day virtual conference. He emphasised the importance of regional collaboration, The UWI as a driving force, and the significance of community engagement in the quadruple helix model.

The conference included over 18 presentations, workshops, and discussions focused on various themes, such as transitioning to circular economies, sustainable homes and cities, future sustainable education, sustainable materials, coastal protection, digitalisation, and artificial intelligence. Both the conference and the Cluster received support at the highest levels.

Professor Rose-Marie Belle Antoine, Principal of the UWI St. Augustine Campus, reaffirmed the University’s role in fostering a sustainable future for the Caribbean. Professor Bheshem Ramlal, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at The UWI St. Augustine Campus, highlighted the importance of cross-border partnerships and integrating sustainable principles into both curricula and research.

The keynote speaker, Ms. Hortense Montoux from École de Technologie Supérieure in Montreal, Canada, underscored the need for collaborative ecosystems to accelerate the circular economy. She highlighted the importance of inclusive engagement, knowledge sharing, and strong partnerships between industry and research.

Professor Aldrie Henry-Lee, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Graduate Studies and Research, The UWI pledged her support for the new Research Cluster led by Professor Chris Maharaj, the Head of Mechanical Engineering at The UWI St. Augustine Campus. She remarked that by embedding sustainability into our research agenda, we reaffirm our UWI’s commitment to being not only the number one tertiary institution in the Caribbean but also a driver of transformative change for our societies.

Dr. Julia Kotzebue, Chair of the conference and a member of the Department of Geospatial Engineering and Land Management at The UWI St. Augustine Campus remarked that the launch and conference were highly successful. The event attracted a diverse audience from across the region, including attendees from Montserrat, Suriname, Haiti, and the Turks and Caicos Islands. There was a strong interest from non-academics, practitioners, and community members who expressed a desire to collaborate within the Research Cluster, highlighting the significant demand for the Cluster’s work. She encourages all interested individuals to share their innovative ideas with the Cluster to help promote a sustainable future.

Overall, UWI reaffirmed its commitment to leading the region’s sustainable transformation, positioning the new research hub as a catalyst for impactful solutions to the Caribbean’s most pressing challenges.

For more information or to engage with the One-UWI Sustainable Futures Research Cluster, please contact Professor Chris Maharaj or Dr Julia Kotzebue at chris.maharaj@uwi.edu and julia.kotzebue@uwi.edu respectively.