St newsletter october december 2014

VOL.2, ISSUE # 4

OCTOBER—DECEMBER 2014

SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION NEWS OCTOBER—DECEMBER 2014

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.

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IN THIS ISSUE: 1 | AGRICULTURE 2 | AWARDS/COMPETITIONS

SRC Long Service Awards 2014 - Nateisha Dennis-Geddes receives her award for ten years of service to the Scientific Research Council.

3 | BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT 4 | ENERGY 5 | ENVIRONMENT 5 | INNOVATION 6 | MEDICAL MARIJUANA

Agriculture Agri sector gets $95m more for drought mitigation Government has approved $95 million to continue drought mitigation efforts in the agricultural sector, the Acting Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Derrick Kellier announced yesterday. […]

8 | SCIENCE (EDUCATION) 9 | SCIENCE (GENERAL) 10 | TECHNOLOGY

Cabinet Approves Changes To Ganja Law Accepting that aspects of the Dangerous Drugs Act prohibit Jamaica from enjoying the economic benefits of medical marijuana and industrial hemp, the Government has made a number of changes to the act. […]

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Making Science & Technolog y work for you

SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION NEWS OCTOBER—DECEMBER 2014

Callaloo A Growing Side Business Shredded callaloo is just one of the many popular brands in the Fresh N Ready line of offering, which includes Stir Fry, Chop Suey, and Vegetable Mix. So when The Gleaner visited the Grace Agro Processors facility in Hounslow, St Elizabeth, and observed callaloo being prepped, washed, and stripped by hand before being shredded by […]

Greenhouse technology training goes to South Manchester Mandeville, Manchester – Twenty-five residents from the South Manchester Community Council and surrounding communities are currently participating in 10 weeks of training in greenhouse technology. […]

Awards/Competition Teaching Accomplishments Recognised By UWI Award University of the West Indies lecturer in the Department of Language, Linguistics and Philosophy, Dr Keren Cumberbatch, received the top award at the 10th staging of the University of the West Indies (UWI)/Guardian Life Limited Premium Teaching Award recently held at the Mona Visitors’ Lodge. Cumberbatch presently coordinates the sign language interpreting programme and her […]

Wisynco awards $3.5M in scholarships Thirty students, representing all levels of the education system, will start the new school term with a major boost having received a portion of a scholarship package valued at over $3.5 million from Wisynco. “I am so grateful to Wisynco and Hawaiian Punch as winning this cash prize enabled me to pay my school fees,” […]

Port Maria Primary, Port Antonio High cop science awards Passley Gardens, Portland — Port Maria Primary and Port Antonio High schools are the winners of the College of Agriculture, Science and Education’s (CASE’s) inaugural science exposition which was recently held at the institution.[…]

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SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION NEWS OCTOBER—DECEMBER 2014

Business Development Spain Honours MoBay Businessman The man credited with introducing the first Spanish investor to Jamaica has been recognised among a distinguished group of 100 Spaniards by the government in that country. Montego Bay businessman Tristan Alvarado was selected among a distinguished number of candidates from across the globe to be awarded, based on his entrepreneurial spirit, successful professional and […]

Eight Shortlisted For Venture Capital Fund The Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ) said there has been significant interest from local and international fund managers motivated to establish venture funds and to invest in companies operating in Jamaica. The DBJ, through the Jamaica Venture Capital Programme (JVCP), recently issued a call for proposals which opened on July 18 and closed on September […]

Brand Jamaica Worth $Billions Jamaica as a brand is one of the most recognised globally. But while this has created opportunities that have the potential to generate substantial economic benefits for the island, it has also presented local authorities with a growing challenge – that of effectively monitoring and protecting the brand from exploitation by some in the global […]

Study underway to select local crops for biofuel production A study is underway to select local crops for biofuel production, in an effort to expand Jamaica’s sources of energy supply. Manager for renewable energy and energy efficiency at the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica (PCJ), Dr Peter Ruddock, said the company is continuing its research to extract biodiesel from plants, so as to reduce the […]

Caribbean Flavours says share sale designed to fast-track growth Caribbean Flavours & Fragrances (CFF) board members have explained that selling nearly half the company to Derrimon Trading would fast-track its growth. The board, however, avoided listing specific growth targets over the medium term. “It’s an investment. We are working with the team at CFF to grow the business,” […]

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SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION NEWS OCTOBER—DECEMBER 2014

Youth Sees Farming Future Through Red Stripe Cassava Project Jodi-Ann Gilpin, Gleaner Writer If you have travelled on a coaster bus that operates on the Portmore, St Catherine to Half-Way-Tree, St Andrew route, you might have had an encounter with 24-year-old Fujio Murdock.[…]

Young People Urged to Create Their Own Jobs Minister of Youth and Culture, Hon. Lisa Hanna, is encouraging young people seeking jobs, to instead, look to create their own employment. She said the National Youth Service (NYS) offers training programmes for entrepreneurs and urged them to take advantage of those opportunities. Minister Hanna was addressing the final presentation ceremony for the NYS’ Entrepreneurship […]

Energy Recycling waste electricity The need for lower electricity bills and a cheaper alternative to solar. Those, primarily, were what led Mark Neita and business partner Dr Matthew Bird to the green box technology and to found Green Box Jamaica. As the name suggests, the product is a box of capacitors designed to reduce one’s energy […]

Average electricity rate now down to US 33 cents per kWh, says JPS The average cost of electricity is now US 33 cents per kWh, down from a high of US 38 cents a few months ago when oil prices were at a 2014 high, the Jamaica Public Service (JPS) said yesterday. According to the energy provider, the reduction in overall energy cost is due mainly to the […]

Save energy and win $1 million The Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) is offering its customers a chance to win $1 million in cash and kind in an energy-conservation competition scheduled to run over three months. The ‘PowerSmart Energy Challenge’, as the competition is called, is part of the light and power company’s effort to encourage conservation in the short-term, while […]

Venezuela in financial difficulty; will PetroCaribe survive?

The Government of Venezuela is undoubtedly disappointed with the outcome of the 166th meeting of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) held in Vienna, Austria, on November 27, 2014. Despite intense lobbying by Venezuela, the OPEC decided not to cut oil production, even in the face of declining oil prices globally. The official communiqué […]

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SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION NEWS OCTOBER—DECEMBER 2014

Central Bank governor believes solar energy the way forward for Barbados Bridgetown, Barbados (CMC) — Dr DeLisle Worrell believes that Barbados could benefit significantly from the use of solar energy and reduce its billion-dollar oil import bill. Worrell, who heads the island’s Central Bank, told a two-day ‘Discussion on the Energy Sector in Barbados’ that ended here on Tuesday that last month he was privy to […]

Consumers urged to conserve energy during Christmas Even as the price of oil continues to fall, the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica (PCJ) is calling on Jamaicans to use energy wisely and efficiently throughout the Christmas season. Speaking at a recent Jamaica Information Service (JIS) Think Tank, held at the agency’s head office in Kingston, […]

How Japan turns waste into energy Toyko, Japan -— As Japan and Jamaica continue to celebrate 50 years of bilateral relations, the nexus of which has been strengthened since diplomatic relations were established on March 16, 1964, […]

Environment New website gives data on new developments, environment impact Jamaicans now have greater access to information about infrastructure developments and their environmental impact, following the launch last night of a new interactive website — Development Alert! — created by the Jamaica Environment Trust (JET), World Resources Institute, and the Access Initiative, with support from software developers Blue Raster of the United States. The website […]

Innovation Innovator of the Year Award winner Harlo Mayne with his Maynex H2-Flex The 2014 recipient of the Innovator of the Year Award, Harlo Mayne’s invention, which converts water into 100 per cent pure hydrogen gas, is expected to have a global impact. Dubbed the H2-Flex Hydrogen Hybrid Kit, it significantly improves gas mileage, eliminates the need for gas and diesel, extends engine life, cleans engine while driving, […]

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SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION NEWS OCTOBER—DECEMBER 2014

Medical Marijuana Colorado firm partners with Jamaicans to set up medical ganja lab on island Colorado-Based United Cannabis Corporation has partnered with a group of Jamaicans to establish a marijuana medical research lab in Jamaica. The venture has already identified a 30,000 square-foot facility in Kingston’s “industrial zone” to serve as the corporate headquarters for the Jamaican firm, Cannabinoid Research and Development Company. […]

Marijuana and scientists are among the gifts given to man by God Reverend Garry Harriott of the United Church of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands says, marijuana and scientists are among the gifts given to man by God.[…]

Guilty Drugs, Innocent Plant Guilty drugs Innocent Plant is an annual forum held at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona, discussing issues surrounding the legalisation of marijuana in Jamaica. This year, the Department of Economics, Mona School of Business and Management, and the Faculty of Law, collaborate to host the forum to discuss the legal, economic and […]

SS-Melakselassie, CEO and President of Raw Herb Cell Club, has some interesting dietary recommendations SS-Melakselassie, CEO and President of Raw Herb Cell Club, has some interesting dietary recommendations. How about some ganja spiced with sea kelp instead of lettuce with your dinner? Check out the video below to hear what he had to say at the 3rd Biennial Conference on Science and Technology, under the theme […]

Jamaican ‘high grade’ ganja brand will outstrip Colorado Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining Phillip Paulwell, speaking at the Scientific Research Council’s Third Biennial Conference on science and technology made it clear that the Jamaican brand of ganja is superior to that of Colorado’s[…]

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SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION NEWS OCTOBER—DECEMBER 2014

Jamaica Urged To Keep Ganja Debate Going Hanna Hetzer, member of the Drug Policy Alliance in the United States (US), has charged Jamaicans to be bold in their actions as the debate continues about the legalisation of marijuana. Speaking at the roundtable launch – ‘The Road to United Nations General Assembly Special Session 2016: The International War on Drugs’, which was hosted […]

Way being cleared for medicinal ganja – Paulwell Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining Phillip Paulwell says government is moving to ensure that the regulatory framework is in place for the medicinal ganja industry. “We no longer need to be looking for perfection, let us start something and we can build on it. Already, we are seeing many models that we can […]

Cannabis researcher joins Jamaican company Dr William Courtney, a highly regarded international Cannabidol specialist, has joined the Jamaicanbased Timeless Herbal Care (THC), to assist in research and development. According to THC, he will be part of a team of international and local researchers at the Timeless Medical Research Centre, at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona campus. Courtney […]

Psychiatrist urges rational discourse on ganja Consultant psychiatrist in charge of community mental health services for Kingston and St Andrew Dr Geoffrey Walcott last Wednesday called for a rationalisation of the marijuana debate, urging people to forget emotions and to focus on the possible public health problems. […]

Medical marijuana licence for tourists proposed An American marijuana tester believes Jamaica could earn US$10 million (J$1.1 billion) annually from charging tourists a licence to consume medical ganja. “Jamaica is already a cannabis tourist destination,” said David Lampach, chief executive at US-based Steep Hill Halent Labs, in his address at the Scientific Research Council biennial conference on November 12 in Kingston. […]

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SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION NEWS OCTOBER—DECEMBER 2014

Talking Ganja While Raising Money The Couples Swept Away Resort in Negril was a buzz of excitement for guests in attendance at the Negril Chamber of Commerce fundraising gala last Saturday night. The local business group was seeking to raise funds for two major community projects, but also used the opportunity to show support to local and international advocates of […]

Science (Education) Sir Hilary Beckles to serve as next UWI Vice-Chancellor Kingston, Jamaica – Sir Hilary Beckles has been appointed as the next Vice-Chancellor of the University with effect May 1, 2015. Chairman of the Search Committee, Dr Marshall Hall, noted that an advertisement for the post attracted in excess of 50 applicants from all over the world and the Committee eventually came up with an […]

November is National Science and Technology Month The Scientific Research Council is to roll out several science-related activies over the course of November, which is being observed as National Science and Technology Month. Under the theme ‘Science for Life’, the activities are meant to target all sectors of the country.[…]

Grace, USAID Establish New Centre For Learning In addition to its five homework centres, GraceKennedy, through its Grace and Staff Community Development Foundation, has now established a state-of-the-art science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) centre to serve the young people within its programme.[…]

Science Expo at Emancipation Park November 27 Kingston, Jamaica (JIS) — The Scientific Research Council (SRC), in association with the National Commission on Science and Technology (NCST), will host the second staging of the ‘Science in the Park’ exposition at Emancipation Park, New Kingston, on Thursday, November 27, from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.[…]

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SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION NEWS OCTOBER—DECEMBER 2014

Science (General) Not Giving Up On Bauxite Alumina Industry – Paulwell Mandeville, Manchester :with hundreds of jobs to be provided with a new call centre currently under construction in the town of Mandeville, the return of the bauxite industry to the parish deemed as ‘economic holy ground’, is still in the pipeline for Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining Phillip Paulwell. […]

Gov’t partners with South Africa on nutraceuticals Jamaica is partnering with the Republic of South Africa in the area of nutraceuticals, as it moves to strengthen its collaboration with that country in science and technology. This is one of five priority areas which have been identified under the Jamaica/South Africa Agreement on Scientific and Technological Cooperation, which was signed last year. […]

Natural Cures For Snoring Snoring is the unwanted noise made during sleep that results from obstruction to the flow of air through the upper breathing passages. During sleep, the muscles of your upper airway may become loose and relaxed. […]

Hospital launches project to improve nursing care Mandeville, Manchester — Prompted by the need to “continue to seek new and innovative models of care”, the Nursing Services Department at the Mandeville Regional Hospital recently launched a pilot programme to improve the service being offered in selected clinical areas.

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SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION NEWS OCTOBER—DECEMBER 2014

Technology Paulwell hails ICT project in Mandeville Mandeville, Manchester — Technology minister Phillip Paulwell was “thoroughly impressed” following a quick tour of a large information, communication and technology (ICT) facility being built at Ward Avenue here. […]

Irwin High Gets Promised Tablets Students at Irwin High School in St James were yesterday given tablet computers valued at J$59 million, as a part of the Ministry of Education’s pilot distribution of tablets in schools to usher in digital learning for students. […]

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SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION NEWS OCTOBER—DECEMBER 2014

Visit src.gov.jm for more on Science and Technology news in Jamaica. Register with src.gov.jm and join our Skills Bank Directory for Science Professionals.

CONTACT US: Documentation Centre Scientific Research Council Hope Gardens, P.O. Box 350 Kingston 6, Jamaica W.I. 876-927-1771-4 (o) 876-977-1840 (f) marketech@src-jamaica.org www.src.gov.jm

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