VICE-CHANCELLOR’S REPORT TO COUNCIL 2022—2023
MONA CAMPUS REPORT
Ministry of Labour and Social Security, an initiative under the National Poverty Reduction Programme (NPRP) of the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ), to place Social Work students at the Public Assistance Division of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security as part of their course of study. ALIGNMENT As reported above, the teaching and research initiatives of the Mona Campus are designed to align with student, national and regional development needs, and emerging global imperatives. Critical work relating to in our Institutes, Centres and Faculties further demonstrates our university’s commitment to addressing pressing development issues.
the Paint and Surface Coatings Technical Committee. This aligns with National Goals 1 and 4 of Vision 2030. This is also the case with Jamaica’s representation at the Minamata Convention on Mercury where we participated at The Group of Technical Experts on Mercury Thresholds meeting in Geneva, Switzerland. ICENS research into the feasibility of nuclear power in Jamaica, specifically as it relates to Small Modular Reactors (SMR) aligns with Vision 2030 goal #3 and specifically with national outcome 10: Energy Security and Efficiency. The ICENS, as mentioned, generates income through grant funding from several projects, either entirely administered by the Centre or where the ICENS is the lead or participating organization representing the member state. These include: • CRP D52042 – Implementation of Nuclear Techniques for Authentication of Foods with High- Value Labelling Claims, running from March 2019 to March 2024 and earmarked to receive total funding of €35,000. • JAM1001 – Upgrade of Reactor Infrastructure at the University of West Indies SLOWPOKE Facility JM-1 – which had a start date of January 2016 and is ongoing and the budget for this project is €810,000.00. • JAM5014 – Establishing a Self-Contained Gamma Irradiation Facility for the Introduction of Sterile Insect Technique and Experimental Mutagenesis and Diagnostic Technologies, a national project approved in January 2020 with an initial budget of €750,000.00. • RLA1022 – Improving the Satisfaction of Regional Demand for Products and Services of Nuclear Research Reactors (ARCAL CLXXX) with a total budget allocation of total IAEA budget allocated for
Advancing dialogue with industry players and international partner universities signalled even greater potential for the future of the WJC. Of special note were the signing of the cooperation agreement with CHEC and the UWI Global Health Institute to construct a civil engineering lab at the WJC Irwin property, and the participation of James Madison University in WJC’s International Study Visit Programme.
Expanding UWI’s Global Footprint
Faculty members actively sought out regional and international collaborations and partnerships with various institutions with the specific intention to expand the UWI’s global footprint. Notably, in the FSS there was: • continued partnership between the United Nations (UN) Jamaica and the Department of Economics to host the Jamaican Economy Panel (JEP), bringing together a select group of economic and public sector experts to address a monthly series of socioeconomic questions in formats that engage and empower the public; • the Department of Government’s Guest Lectures and Public Lecture Series, with lectures delivered by members of the diplomatic corps (The European Union in Jamaica, Embassy of Japan, and the Japan International Cooperation Agency) and visiting academics; • acceptance by the Department of Government of an invitation from the U.S. Embassy, Kingston to attend a film screening of “Ida B. Wells: A Passion for Justice” showcasing issues related to civil and political rights in the USA, in commemoration of Black History Month; • signing of a partnership agreement between The Department of Sociology, Psychology and Social Work (SPSW) and the Public Assistance Programme,
ICENS
At the International Centre for Environmental and Nuclear Sciences (ICENS), the academic year saw the continuation of projects aligned with Vision 2030 and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). Specifically, the national IAEA project JAM5014 – Establishing a Self-Contained Gamma Irradiation Facility for the Introduction of Sterile Insect Technique and Experimental Mutagenesis and Diagnostic Technologies addresses Sustainable Development Goal (SDG)#3, Good Health and Well Being, and specifically target 3.3.3 and 3.3.5 which according to the WHO’s “Keeping the Vector Out” document includes vector-borne diseases such as Chagas disease, leishmaniosis, dengue, Zika and chikungunya. The crop mutagenesis component of the project addresses SDG #2 Zero Hunger, specifically targeting 2.3, 2.4, and 2.5 as well as 2.a. ICENS work also continued to address the mitigation of the lead hazard through the work of
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