Presentation by Dr. David RampersadDirector, Office of Research Development and Knowledge Transfer

The University of the West IndiesSt. Augustine

Caribbean Growth ForumThe University of the West Indies, Mona

18 - 19 June 2012

Tapping Human Capital and Ideas of Caribbean Tertiary Education Institutions

Role of Higher Education:Stimulus for Innovation

• Development depends on higher education, to provide a critically important bridge between R&D, knowledge transfer and application

• Higher education facilitates links with other research agencies, the commercialisation of research results, cross-disciplinary and multidisciplinary approaches

• If they are to function as agents of sustainable development, higher education institutions (HEIs) must draw on a wide base of knowledge from all disciplines

• HEIs must not only train individuals and produce research: they must establish relationships and networks to ensure that their research has an impact on the societies in which they operate

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The Status Quo

• Minimal percentage of GDP dedicated to R&D in the Caribbean

• Differences between larger and smaller countries

• Lack of an effective mechanism to channel funds

• Absence of national innovation systems

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The Status Quo (2)

• Research culture in HEIs requires stimulus• Number of postgraduate students in research degrees is

low• Inadequate R&D infrastructure including laboratories• Minimal R&D undertaken by the private and public sector• The UWI has the largest pool of researchers and expertise

in the Caribbean and leads the way in creating knowledge/wisdom that has an impact. The appropriate structures and support are required to broaden this impact.

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Innovation

• Innovation: use or development of an invention

• How do we view Innovation in institutions of higher education?

• Some disciplines produce knowledge that does not result in a tangible product but that can have considerable impact

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Impact

• Graphite Lab• Cardiac Surgical Simulator

– A computer-assisted, tissue-based simulator for use in the training of cardiac surgical residents, and nurses, in the conduct of several cardiac surgical procedures produced by a multidisciplinary team of researchers

– It can also be used to demonstrate the function of technology specific to cardiac surgical procedures in a way that was previously possible only by conducting a live procedures

– Licensed to a number of medical Universities 6

Impact (2)

• Management of viral diseases of tropical fruit crops of economic importance

• Research leading to the recovery of sea turtle populations in Barbados has evolved into their use as an ecotourism attraction of significant value to the tourism industry

• Regional Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) Surveillance System for the Caribbean: development of a web-based IT platform to improve the capacity of countries to deliver cost-effective health services associated with NCDs

• Understanding Built and Cultural Heritage to design an Innovation Model for urban regeneration

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Research and Innovation

• Research leads to discoveries and must be based on a thorough, systematic approach so that the new knowledge may be created and applied to pressing needs

• Research provides sound training for young researchers and innovators

• Good research facilitates engagement in international research consortia that play a major role in creating new knowledge and attracting funding

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Pre-conditions for Transformation

• Funding

• Partnerships

• A robust system of higher education and research

• A well-designed, focussed programme of R&D

• Public policy9

Pre-conditions for Transformation (2)

• An efficient Science and Technology infrastructure

• National Innovation Systems

• Regional Innovation System

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Caribbean Research and Funding Agency (CRFA)

• Status quo: institutional funding, external funding

• CRFA: concept agreed to since 1999

• CRFA: a multinational funding agency dedicated to support research, knowledge generation and innovation in the region

• Mode of operation

• Financing of CRFA

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Caribbean Research and Funding Agency (CRFA 2)

• Programmes may include the following:

– An Industry, Business and Service Sector Programme: to encourage collaboration between university researchers, industry and the service sectors to facilitate innovation, invention, technology transfer and patents

– A Multi-disciplinary Research Programme to encourage the development of research projects for impact on economic transformation and national and regional development

– An Inter-institutional Programme to encourage collaboration between researchers from different institutions

– A Scholarship and Fellowship Programme for young researchers

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Priorities for Maximising the Research Impact of Caribbean HEIs

• Continued support for the creation of an enabling environment for research in HEIs

• Improved mechanisms in HEIs for Intellectual Property management and Technology Transfer

• Innovation Forum• Establishment of Caribbean Research and Funding

Agency• Establishment of National and Regional Innovation

Systems

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Dr. David RampersadDirector

Office of Research Development and Knowledge TransferEmail: David.Rampersad@sta.uwi.edu

Phone: 868 662 2002 Ext: 82496/82483Fax: 868 645-2506

http://www.sta.uwi.edu

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