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Principal’s
Message
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Heartiest congratulations to the recipients of this year’s research awards! Their work embodies the best of the cutting-edge research undertaken in the last academic year at this, the premier regional tertiary education institution in the Caribbean. The awardees are among a growing body of scholars recognised nationally and internationally for the significance of their contributions to the social and natural sciences; law; medicine; and the humanities and education. Throughout Jamaica and the Caribbean, researchers at the University of the West Indies are making a difference. Through their work, we are advancing our understanding of our nation and environment, maximising benefits to our society, and enhancing the quality of life of our people.
The university’s research mission, encapsulated in the theme of our 2016 research days’ activities, Research and Innovation Driving Development, is palpable in the activities of our awardees. They stand as beacons in our societies that clamour for solutions to our development challenges. Their work is an inspiration to our faculty colleagues to pursue their own research agendas with the same passion and single-mindedness that will impact real societal development. It is our hope that by institutionalising these research awards and the Research Days activities, we are creating the foundation for future generations of researchers and inventors.
As our society and problems become more complex, it is imperative that our researchers across all disciplines combine their resources and knowledge to form teams that aggressively address problems such as crime, environmental degradation and climate change, the spread of HIV/AIDS, and the like. We hope that the stellar work displayed in this publication will assure our funding partners that their support of the university’s research agenda is justified, and that more partners will come on board.
Again, congratulations to this year’s research awardees! Through your stellar work you contribute to the enhancement of our university’s reputation in the region and internationally.
Recognising Outstanding Researchers 2016