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Scientific Research Council Quarterly Newsletter Volume: 1-09 Date: March 5, 2009

www.src-jamaica.org

Published by Marketech Ltd.

Inventors/Innovators win big at SRC/BSJ National Quality & Innovators Award 08

In this issue: Page

Inventors/ Innovators win big

1

SRC Harnesses Rural Gold

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S&T Conference Encouraging Development

3-4

SRC Harnesses Rural Gold WINNERS: 2008 INNOVATION IN SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY AWARDS First row, from left: 1st place winner of the SRC's Innovations in Science and Technology Award, Rohan Taylor from the University of Technology pose for camera along with Dr. Audia Barnett, Executive Director, SRC. They are joined by (second row, from left) Chairman of the Innovators Award Committee, The Honourable Dr. Alfred Sangster and awardees Mr. Paul Jackson, a member of UTech group, Ms. Elaine Peck, Mr. Albert Francis and (third row, from left) Mr. Robert Bruce, Mr. George Douglas, Mr. Carlos King, Dr. Daniel Coore (University of the West Indies), SRC’s Chairman Mr. James Moss Solomon and Dr. Winston Davidson.

The Innovations Award in Science and Technology celebrates outstanding achievements in innovations, while promoting the application of science and technology for national growth. The award is held every two years as an activity of the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce and the SRC. In 2008 it was dubbed the National Quality and Innovation Awards due to the merging of the Innovation Awards and the National Quality Awards. An event hosted by the Bureau of Standards (BSJ).

The Scientific Research Council (SRC), as a good corporate citizen, is making its contribution to the “Eat what you grow, Grow what you eat” campaign e nd o r s ed b y t he Government of Jamaica.

As a strong supporter of the agricultural sector, the SRC recently took its services in the form of a public forum titled “Golden Roots and Tubers” to the rural district of Albert Town, located in the hills of Cont’d on pg 2

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Scientific Research Council Quarterly newsletter Volume1-09

SRC Harnesses Rural Gold Cont’d from pg 1

SRC’s Minimally Processed Yam

southern Trelawny.

Albert Town is known for its vast production of ground provisions and is easily dubbed by many as “the yam

Presenters and cross section of the audience at the SRC Public Forum, “Golden Roots and Tubers” held at the Albert Town community centre in Trelawny.

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capital”.

ments, beverages, soups, jerked and smoked The SRC whose directive products. involves supporting the growth and development SRC, a good of the local agrocorporate citizen, industrial sector, views this rural environment as Contributing to an untapped resource agribusiness worth developing, which could benefit both the residents of Albert Town This however, as pointed as well as the country. out by Ms. Fisher, was in This was highlighted in no way the only services the SRC’s presentation at offered at the SRC as the public forum which training courses and contook place at the district’s sultancy services were available in various areas. community centre.

Some of these include Ms. Roselyn Fisher, the tissue culture technology, General Manager of where disease-free and SRC’s s u b s i d i a r y , high yielding plantlets Marketech Ltd., spoke are produced; wastewater about the various busi- technology which offers ness opportunities avail- economically viable soluable at the SRC for the tions for wastewater far ming and agro- management while proprocessing sector. She viding biogas, organic and treated spoke about technologies fertilizer, and services at the SRC, wastewater for irrigation highlighting the develop- purposes as by-products. ment of new products and The SRC’s many services processes that utilize lo- also include the testing of cal and indigenous crops. food and wastewater samples through its anaThe SRC over the years lytical services. has developed value added products from lo- The SRC collaborated cal raw material such as with Rural Agricultural the sorrel line of products Development Associa(squash, chutney, jams), a tion, Jamaica Agriculvariety of flour, sauces, tural Society, Scotia Cont’d on pg 4 preservatives, condi-

Scientific Research Council Quarterly newsletter

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Rural Gold from pg 2

Bank, Jamaica Business Development Centre and the Member of Parliament office for South

loans and support services available through different organizations that farmers and agribusiness persons could access.

Products developed from endemic plants on display Trelawny in order to provide adequate and relevant information to this community. The information, which most of the locals agreed was b e n e f i c i a l , spoke about available

The SRC has pledged to continue working closely with RADA, JAS and other community groups to ensure that projects are implemented to improve their standard of living through the application of Science and Technology.

S&T Conference Encourages Development The Annual National Conference on Science and Technology (S&T) is the brainchild of the S cient ific Resear ch Council. It was conceived to provide a forum for scientists, technologist and other professionals to share their knowledge, sensitize the nation to the importance of science and technology (S&T) and facilitate the application of the results. To date the Council has su ccessfu lly ho st ed twenty-two conferences

focusing themes.

on

various

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The latest in the series of conferences was observed under the theme “Science and Technology Driving Industry and Investment” which took place at the Pegasus Hotel in November 2008 during Science and Technology Month.

As usual the conference was accompanied by an exhibition which feat ured vario us inventions and innovations of Jamaicans.

Many of the patrons of the Annual Conference were impressed by the exhibits and enlightened by the mass of innovations taking place in Jamaica. What amazed them most of all was the fact that these innovations could assist in satisfying socioecono mic demands, were highly functional, and in most cases were

created from material fo u nd wit h in t he Jamaican environment.

The Annual S&T Conference is known for its introduction of new ideas through individuals and organizations, both local and international. This year was no exception, as this conference featured one of Time Magazine’s Top 100 most influential persons and 2004 World Food Prize Laureate Dr. Monty Jones of Sierra Leone, Africa. He is most known for his work on the New Rices for Africa (NERICA) project. The New Rices for Africa is a rice variety particularly bred for the ecological and agricultural conditions in Africa which has a very high nutritional content. continued on pg 4

Dr. Audia Barnett assists Dr. Monty Jones with ribbon cutting exercise to officially open Science and Technology exhibition. Mr. James Moss Solomon, SRC Board Chairman looks on.

Scientific Research Council Quarterly Newsletter Volume: 1-09 Date: March 5, 2009

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Conference from pg 3

His presentation with its implication for national development triggered many ideas from the attentive audience who left feeling inspired and hopeful about the future of our society.

The Conference, as reiterated by many, was a success as it h ig h lig ht ed the importance of science in nat io na l development. The SRC through this has reinforced it s dedication to business development as not only did it incorporate presenters of the business environment, but through its marketing arm Marketech Ltd., a panel discussion was organized to facilitate Medium, Small and Micro Enterprises (MSMEs) under the theme “Challenges & Environment Opportunities… Sup- for MSME’s”. porting an Enabling

Contact us at: P.O. Box 350, Kingston 6, Jamaica, W.I. Tel: (876) 927-1771-4 or 977-2192; Fax: 977-6000; Email: marketech@src-jamaica.org; Website: www.src-jamaica.org

SRC Open House ‘08 Students admire plants at the SRC Tissue Culture booth during Open Day held at Scientific Research Council in November 2008.

“Making Science and Technology Work for You”