Presentation by Dr. David Rampersad

1. Caribbean Growth Forum The University of the West Indies, Mona 18 - 19 June 2012 Tapping Human Capital and Ideas of Caribbean Tertiary Education Institutions Presentation by Dr. David Rampersad Director, Office of Research Development and Knowledge Transfer The University of the West Indies St. Augustine

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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.

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. Pre-conditions for Transformation • Funding • Partnerships • A robust system of higher education and research • A well-designed, focussed programme of R&D • Public policy

10. Pre-conditions for Transformation (2) • An efficient Science and Technology infrastructure • National Innovation Systems • Regional Innovation System

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. Dr. David Rampersad Director Office of Research Development and Knowledge Transfer Email: David.Rampersad@sta.uwi.edu Phone: 868 662 2002 Ext: 82496/82483 Fax: 868 645-2506 http://www.sta.uwi.edu