Science Technology and Innovation Highlights for the period January - March 2013

JANUARY - MARCH 2013

VOL. 2, NO. 01-03 SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION NEWS JANUARY - MARCH 2013

A Q ua r te rl y N e ws l e tte r of t h e Scie n t if ic R e s e a rch Co un cil , Ja m a ica

This Newsletter highlights news, events and activities in Science & Technology (S&T) and related subjects which have taken place primarily in Jamaica over the last three months.

i3 CAMP July 2013 FINALS August 2013 learn more>>

IN THIS ISSUE: 1

| AgroAgro-Industry

2

| Awards/Competitions

3

| Bauxite (Red Mud)

4

| Business Development

4 5

| Education (S&T) | Energy

6

| Environment (The)

7

| Exhibitions/Expositions

Matie's Sauce, New Twist on Jerk

7

| Food

8

| Green House Technology

8

| Health Issues

9

| Information Technology

9

| Innovation

Conveniently packaged in a colourful sachet with a twist-off cap, Matie Sauce Guavalicously Irie multipurpose sauce and dip, catches the eye and tickles the mind long before you taste it. Available in 'spicy' and 'mild', it's the new rhythm of jerk in a sachet, made from all-natural Jamaican produce - guava (of course), Scotch bonnet pepper, [...]

10 | Policy

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Agro-Industry

10 | Scholarships/Fellowships/ | Bursaries

...more on page 2/

11 | S&T Research 12 | Space Technology 12 | Workshops/Seminars 14 | Feature

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Making Science & Technolog y work for you

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SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION NEWS JANUARY - MARCH 2013

S&T EVENTS - CARIBBEAN FOR QUARTER JAN-MARCH 2013 Mar 27>>Workshop on "For-mulating Realistic Project Budgets Mar 26>>*ASTJ Quiz (St. Mary) *Presentation at Aboukir All Age Mar 25>>i3 Workshop (Eastern) Mar 23>>i3 Workshop (Western) Mar 22-23>>ASTJ Quiz (St. Andrew) Mar 22>>Composting workshop Mar 22>>Exposition at Devon House Mar 21-23>>19th Annual International Diabetes Conference 2013, Sunset Jamaica Grande Resort, Ocho Rios Mar 21>>Energy Initiative Launch Mar 21>>i3 Workshop (Central) Mar 20>>Career Day Mar 20>>ASTJ Exhibitions Mar 19-21>>Canning Workshop, SRC Mar 19>>ASTJ Quiz Mar 18-19>>Caribbean Science, Technology & Innovation (STI) Policies Forum Mar 14>>Launch of i3s competition for secondary and tertiary Students Mar 12>>JREN TF Meeting Mar 08>>PCJ Energy Conservation Incentive Programme Mar 05-09>>UNESCO "Open Access" Meeting Mar 05-08>>Tissue Culture Training, SRC Mar 05>>ASTJ Quiz Feb 28- Mar 01>>Bar Soap Making Workshop, SRC Feb 27 - Mar 1>>44th Special Meeting of CARICOM COTED Feb 26-28>>Natural Juice Processing Workshop, SRC Feb 19-20>>International Workshop for Scientific Journalism, Verdanza Hotel, Isla Verde Carolina, San Juan Puerto Rico Feb 06-07>>Bottled Water Processing Workshop, SRC

SCAN ME AND LOG ON!

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Cabinet gives nod to liquid eggs AFTER YEARS of saying liquid eggs would be used as a substitute for the imported butter oil in the making of nutri-buns for the school-feeding programme, Cabinet has finally given approval for this to happen [...]

Agro-exporters told to follow safe packing standards THE country’s agro-exporters are being encouraged to ensure that their packaging facilities are operating to international standards.

Plant and Quarantine Manager at the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries Dalton Hastings said that the trading partners are now more rigorous in ensuring [...]

Food Lab at SRC Accredited to International Standards The food testing laboratory of the Scientific Research Council (SRC), has become the first such facility in Jamaica to become accredited to international standards. [...]

Awards/Competitions Excelsior High School past student winner of Safety Technology in top US energy industry award WHITE PLAINS, New York says ‘Carib Cement internship triggered interest in Engineering’ A Jamaican man, working in the United States energy industry, has won a prestigious award for his work on a safety project [...]

Jamaica College wins Inspire Award at Int’l Robotics Competition JAMAICA College (JC) is poised to produce some of Jamaica’s future scientists, engineers and computer programmers.

The 10-member senior team of the Jamaica College Robotics Club has won the Inspire Award at the New York City Regionals of the First Tech [...]

JET Opens Nominations for Environmental Awards The JAMAICA Environment Trust (JET) launched the fourth annual Jamaica Environmental Action Awards (JEAAs) at their annual general meeting on March 19, with the nomination period officically opening today, March 22, celebrated globally as World Water Day. [...]

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(Cover image: Science & Technology on display 2012)

SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION NEWS JANUARY - MARCH 2013

SALE! SALE! Lemon Grass body Wash and Lotion for only $700.

This product can be used as a natural repellant and also help you to manage eczema.

Local Doctor Receives International Award – Named 5Star Doctor by WONCA Family physician and medical educator Dr. Tomlin Paul has received the 2013 5 -Star Doctor Award from the North American Region of the World Organization of National Colleges, Academies and Academic Associations of General Practitioners/Family Physician (WONCA). . [...]

SRC Participates in Energy Competition for Schools SRC participated in the judging of this year’s Science Competition of the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica’s (PCJ’s) Schools’ Energy Programme. As a part of the competition students were required to construct a model residential home utilising energy efficient and renewable energy features for the interior and exterior design. [...]

Jamaican Robotics Team Heads To US Competition Jamaica College is hoping to take home the winning trophy in this year’s US FIRST Tech Challenge Robotics Competition, after finishing third last year out of 72 teams entered. [...]

Bauxite (Red Mud) JBI head says extraction of rare earth minerals won’t be harmful CHAIRMAN and Executive Director of the Jamaica Bauxite Institute Dr. Parris A Lyew-Ayee has assured that “unlike in many other countries where rare earth minerals are mined with severe negative impacts on the environment [...]

Potential for earning from research into rare earth elements in Jamaican Red Mud A Japanese aluminium company believes that there’s big money to be made from red mud deposits here and has put up US$3 million for a pilot project that could result in Jamaica earning billions in foreign exchange. [...]

Exciting prospects for high-end jobs at rare earth facility, says professor PROFESSOR of Supra-molecular Chemistry and Dean of the Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences at the University of the West Indies Dr. Ishenkumba [...]

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SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION NEWS JANUARY - MARCH 2013

Business Development Rural Youth Employment Project For starters, you should conduct a feasibility study on your potential product or service and markets, said Shomarie McLeggan, Business Development Officer at the Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC). [...]

Steps to starting your own business The Rural Youth Employment Project was established in 2010 in response to Jamaica’s mounting poverty, unemployment and crime. It was specifically designed to address the needs of unattached youths particularly in rural parishes, [...]

Education (S&T) Maths is the gateway to success, Minister says EDUCATION Minister Ronald Thwaites says the learning of mathematics is critical to Jamaica’s development, and the country needs to build a culture for the subject. [...]

Students Make Good Use Of Career Expo SCORES OF ninth-grade Jamaica College (JC) students took another step towards making the connection from school to work as they participated in the Danny Williams Career Expo. [...]

UWI medical students to ditch textbooks Students of the Faculty of Medical Sciences at the University of the West Indies, Mona, will no longer be required to purchase hardcopy books and resource materials for the duration of their academic studies [...]

Engineer makes CSEC Maths easy One Mathematics specialist is determined to apply his expertise to help students ace the subject at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) levels. . [...]

Eastwood Park computer resource centre upgraded THE Eastwood Park computer resource centre has been renovated at a cost of $3.2 million by the Universal Service Fund, formerly Universal Access Fund. [...]

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CALL: (876) 927-1771– 4 VISIT www.src.gov.jm

Start a business! Come to SRC and check out our many food and nutraceutical Formulations!

SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION NEWS JANUARY - MARCH 2013

SALE! SALE! Lemon Grass body Wash and Lotion for only $700.

This product can be used as a natural repellant and also help you to manage eczema.

i3: Innovation, Ideas, Ingenuity schools’ competition expanded For the second staging of the I3 competition, the Business lab, which is the organiser of the event, has turned to the Scientific Research Council (SRC) for partnership and the expansion of the competition. [...]

Energy Solar Powered stand-alone street lights Solar Powered Stand-alone street lights are now being installed along several legs of Highway 2000 in order to eliminate the dependence on traditional street lights. This is part of a cost-saving initiative by Trans Jamaican highway Limited. Currently, 221 solar-powered [...]

Donald Gary: Rubis Energy’s Man In Jamaica Having previously sojourned in Jamaica during the mid ’90s for Texaco, Gary is no stranger to the place he has grown to love and, in an exclusive first interview with The Gleaner, revealed that he has been making the rounds [...]

Power wheeling programme must include solar and wind Electricity wheeling has been proposed in Jamaica as a way to promote distributed power generation, especially from renewable-energy sources. [...]

Launch of Energy Initiatives The Ministry of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining (MSTEM) continues to work assiduously towards the implementation of the National Energy Policy 2009-2030. Several projects are being implemented that are aimed at securing sustainable energy solutions for Jamaica [...]

Jamaican geographer to develop geothermal energy Geographer and businessman Krishna Vaswani aims to raise US$4 million of financing in order to set up a 15MW clean-energy facility. [...]

PCJ undertakes energy efficiency upgrades at three public facilities THE Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica (PCJ) has undertaken a $5.6million upgrade of the lighting facilities at the May Pen and Spanish Town hospitals and the Jamaica Police Convalescent Centre, in its bid to help reduce the public sector’s energy bill. . [...]

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SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION NEWS JANUARY - MARCH 2013

Caribbean targets 47% renewables by 2027 Jamaica expected to hit 12.5% with 115 MW project.

CARIBBEAN Community (Caricom) Energy Ministers have approved an initial target of 47 per cent renewable energy contribution to total electricity generation in the region by 2027. [...]

‘Profit from pig waste’ Pig farmers are being encouraged to engage in the sustainable management of waste from their farms as a means of reducing their production costs and improving their profit margins. [...]

Extension period for renewable energy proposals The Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) has extended the deadline for the submission of proposals to supply 115-megawatts (MW) of renewable energy to the national grid. . [...]

Bamboo Charcoal Goes On Sale Bamboo charcoal has gone on sale in two grocery outlets in Kingston in a market-testing phase of the project to track consumer reaction to the product. [...]

2012 Blogger of the Year Kimroy Bailey is passionate about robotics, renewable energy HIS love for blogging started a little over a year ago after he first competed as a student on the robotics team that represented the University of Technology in Nashville, Tennessee at the International Robotics and Renewable Energy Competition in 2011. [...]

JAS Explores Wind of Change Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with a Canada-based company which will see both parties exploring wind-energy solutions for use by Jamaican farmers. [...]

Environment (The) Coral comeback: Reef ‘seeding’ in the Caribbean MATS of algae and seaweed have shrouded the once thick coral in shallow reefs off Jamaica’s north coast. Warm ocean waters have bleached out the coral, [...]

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CALL: (876) 927-1771– 4 VISIT www.src.gov.jm

Start a business! Come to SRC and check out our many food and nutraceutical Formulations!

SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION NEWS JANUARY - MARCH 2013

SALE! SALE! Lemon Grass body Wash and Lotion for only $700.

This product can be used as a natural repellant and also help you to manage eczema.

Scientists looking at new life forms below the sea’s surface between Cayman Islands and Jamaica Researchers steering a remote-controlled submarine around the world’s deepest known hydrothermal vents have collected numerous samples from sunless depths of the Caribbean Sea where blazing hot, mineral-rich fluid gushes [...]

Accelerating use of technology in climate change From the latest technical developments in renewable energy to innovative cropping techniques, the role of technology and research in tackling climate change in developing countries is the focus of a new [...]

SRC aids customer in winning top environmental award On October 4, 2012 Berger Paints Jamaica Limited copped the Award for NCBJ Best Environmental Management Programme.

Berger is the first paint company in the English-speaking Caribbean to be both Quality Management System and Environmental Management System certified. [...]

SRC & UWI aid Canco in environmental initiative EVERY DAY we are warned and at times chided for our mismanagement of the environment. However, Ecowells, the Environmental Division of Canco Limited, is recognised for its social impact [...]

Exhibition/Expositions SRC participates in Career Expo at Northern Caribbean University (NCU) Hundreds of students of the Northern Caribbean University (NCU) turned out at their gymnatorium on Tuesday March 19, 2013 for the Annual Career Exposition titled Creating Opportunities Amidst Uncertainties. [...]

Food Jamaica Raising Food-Safety Standards JAMAICAN farmers and exporters of fresh and processed fruits and vegetables are to undergo training in good agricultural practices - as dictated by the Food Safety Modernisation Act for imports to the United States of America (US). At the same time, a senior civil servant [...]

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SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION NEWS JANUARY - MARCH 2013

Breadfruit Flour There has been much dialogue on the topic of breadfruit flour in recent times, and I thought it necessary to enlighten those interested in the topic on the beginnings of this project. [...]

SRC gets accredited THE JAMAICA National Agency for Accreditation (JANAAC) on Tuesday accredited the Scientific Research Council as the first recognised food-testing laboratory in Jamaica.- [...]

Green house Technology Farmers Get Training In Greenhouse Operation Thirteen farming groups in seven parishes have been trained in the practical operations of commercial greenhouse farming under an initiative by the Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI), a programme of the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF), in partnership with the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA). [...]

Food Processing WORKSHOPS

Health Issues Deadly link between diabetes, gum disease RESEARCHERS have found a deadly link between gum disease and diabetes which affects between 10 and 14 per cent of Jamaica’s adult population — persons 15 years old and over.

The discovery has caused one of the foremost diabetes researchers at the University of the West Indies (UWI), [...]

New drug to combat stroke launched A new anti-clotting drug to combat stroke and venous thromboembolism (VTE) was launched in Jamaica last week Monday. [...]

Soap making WORKSHOPS

Relieve Back Pain With Acupuncture Of the persons who seek out Chinese medicine interventions for pain management, the vast majority are for pain in the back and in particular pain in the lower back. In many cases, acupuncture is able to offer much-needed relief... [...]

BIODIGESTER TECHNOLOGIES 8

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SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION NEWS JANUARY - MARCH 2013

SALE! SALE! Lemon Grass body Wash and Lotion for only $700.

This product can be used as a natural repellant and also help you to manage eczema.

Information Technology Technology Solutions Ltd. Helping Companies Meet Client Needs The intimate and significant relationship between science and technology has been growing in the Jamaican society for the last two decades.

Economically conscious Jamaica began its transformation by infiltrating science and technology into the collegiate syllabus. [...]

LIME-powered $1.2-b Caribbean learning network launched A regional broadband fibre optic network that connects schools, hospitals and other educational establishments to knowledge development and research platforms, paving the way for enhanced interconnectivity and collaboration among Caribbean states, has been launched. [...]

Grow crops using your smartphone IMAGINE being able to grow healthy crops with the touch of a button on your smartphone. This is what Ewan Pitter, a third-year engineering student at the University of the West Indies (UWI) envisions, and he has been working at it for almost a year. [...]

STATIN Saves Time, Cash And Millions Of Trees Mother nature is now breathing a sigh of relief, thanks to a huge step taken by the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN).

With the introduction of the innovative

[...]

Innovation Sunderland Primary invent solution to patch potholes Principal Noel Burgess of the Sunderland Primary School in St James hopes to use the Sunderland Quick Patch, which his students invented, to plug the problem of potholes in his community. [...]

From TCC and USAID To Fund Innovative Ideas Collaborate to Prosper Project—Made Possible with the Support of the American People and The Competitiveness Company. An Overview of Innovation for Exports. [...]

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SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION NEWS JANUARY - MARCH 2013

Policy Caribbean Science, Technology & Innovation (STI) Policy Forum UNESCO hosted a Caribbean Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Policies Forum in Kingston, Jamaica from March 18 – 19, 2013.

The objective of the forum is to meet as a regional group to review and articulate policies, design coordinated strategies and develop specific lines of action for Caribbean Countries under specific terms. View related documents below. [...]

Scholarships/Fellowships/ Bursaries Organisation of American States (OAS) Scholarships Applications are invited from interested persons wishing to pursue studies leading to a Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctoral degree in any of the following countries commencing January 2014 through to March 2015: [...]

Food Processing WORKSHOPS

Student applications now open for SPISE and Sagicor Visionaries Challenge Applications are now open for the 2013 Student Program for Innovation in Science and Engineering (SPISE) and the Sagicor Visionaries Challenge Poster competition. The application deadline is April 22, 2013. The SPISE program is: [...]

Masters of Science in Food and Agro-Processing Technology (M. SC. FAPT) The University of The West Indies Mona, Jamaica invites applicants for the Masters of Science in Food and Agro-Processing Technology (M. SC. FAPT). This is a professional programme designed [...]

Soap making WORKSHOPS

Mexican scholarships for post graduate studies available The Government of Mexico, aware of the need to contribute to the Inter -American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) on strengthening the technical capacities of Latin American and Caribbean Countries in areas of high priority for agriculture, has agreed to [...]

BIODIGESTER TECHNOLOGIES 10

CALL: (876) 927-1771– 4 VISIT www.src.gov.jm

SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION NEWS JANUARY - MARCH 2013

SALE! SALE! Lemon Grass body Wash and Lotion for only $700.

This product can be used as a natural repellant and also help you to manage eczema.

S&T Research Analysis, monitoring and review of Science & Technology Research in the Caribbean The European Union continues to strengthen and expand its cooperation in Science & Technology (S&T) with different regions of the world as it seeks to address global issues and problems. [...]

NCU scientist points to recognised solution for alumina dumps MANDEVILLE, Manchester — A geo-scientist at Northern Caribbean University (NCU) Dr. Mark Harris has a tried and proven formula that could transform the island’s potentially harmful bauxite/ [...]

Roshell Muir: Young scientist YOUNG scientist Roshell Muir says venturing outside the academic sphere in Jamaica is one of the best decisions she has ever made.

Not only has the 29-year-old — who is currently in her final year at Queens University Belfast in the United Kingdom [...]

Jamaican Scientist Dr. Henry Lowe launches new diabetes formula RENOWNED Jamaican scientist Dr. Henry Lowe last Friday had a soft launch of his newest nutraceutical — a diabetes formula that, he says, will be beneficial in enhancing the health of people with Type-2 diabetes. [...]

Outstanding young Jamaican scientist blazes new trails DR CHARAH WATSON, Young Scientist of the Year for 2012, almost missed her chance to pursue the sciences while a student at Excelsior High School. [...]

Caribbean Chronicle – Celebrating Caribbean Culture A regional broadband fibre optic network that connects schools, hospitals and other educational establishments to knowledge development and research platforms, paving the way for enhanced interconnectivity and collaboration among Caribbean states, has been launched. [...]

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SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION NEWS JANUARY - MARCH 2013

Space Technology Female Astronaut Encourages Scientists to Soar Above Expectations “Dare to make a difference,” was the challenge from the pioneering Dr. Mae Jemison, the first African-American female astronaut, who served six years as part of the United States (US) National Aeronautics and Space Administration [...]

Jamaica featured in Space Generation Advisory Council Annual Report The Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC) in support of the United Nations Programme on Space Applications is a nongovernmental organisation and professional network which “aims to bring the views of students and young space professionals to the United Nations (UN), space industry and other organisations”. [...]

Workshops/Seminars SRC mounts Composting Workshop in Resource, Manchester On Thursday March 21, 2013, farmers of the Alve Food Farm in Resource Manchester were treated to a comprehensive training programme by the Scientific Research Council in the production of Organic Fertilizer. [...]

SRC Initiative bears fruit in St. Ann Community MEMBERS of the Nine Miles United District Citizens’ Association (NUDCA) have implemented what they have described as a farm tourism initiative aimed at bringing economic gains to the rural St Ann community. [...] 

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CALL: (876) 927-1771– 4 VISIT www.src.gov.jm

Start a business! Come to SRC and check out our many food and nutraceutical Formulations!

SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION NEWS JANUARY - MARCH 2013

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he Scientific Research Council is actively engaged in the production of healthy, disease free tissue culture plants in flexible, economic quantities.

Come in and talk to us, we will assist you in multiplying your production through TISSUE CULTURE TECHNOLOGY

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JANUARY - MARCH 2013

SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION NEWS

Walkerswood Post Office.

Some of the audience at Walkerswood Launch listening to the Programme, in background is part of the Poster display.

Right: Anthony Mclean winner at the Walkerswood Post Office is greeted with a kiss as he receives his gift

Miss Tamika Lee of SRC hands the prize winner of Sandy Bay, Hanover Post Office her prize - while Mr. Hawthorne Watson, Acting Executive Director (SRC) looks on.

Mrs Judith Fagan Brown (SRC) gives the prize winner of Glengoff Post Office , Ms Phyllishia Daley, her prize.

Phyllis Ellis-SRC, hands prize winner of Browns Town Post office Sharecta Evans, her prize

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