NIHERST: About Us - Science and Technology Linkages

International co-operation is necessary to build our country’s human capacity and knowledge base in Science and Technology (S&T). The free flow of ideas and information, the exchange of high level researchers, and strategic intellectual alliances between individuals and institutions are also necessary to help us find solutions to developmental challenges both nationally and globally. With this in mind, Trinidad and Tobago has signed agreements for cooperation in S & T with many friendly countries. The countries include:

The role of NIHERST is to provide inputs into these agreements and to facilitate their implementation.

NIHERST also ensures that this country makes use of the opportunities provided for S&T development and cooperation by regional and international organisations. NIHERST collaborates with organisations such as:

Made up of 35 member states, the OAS is the hemisphere ‘s premier political forum for multilateral dialogue and action. With four official languages -- English, Spanish, French and Portuguese -- the Organization reflects the rich diversity of peoples and cultures across the Americas.

Each member state has one vote. Major policies and directions are established by the General Assembly, which once a year brings together the hemisphere’s foreign ministers. The Permanent Council, which meets regularly at OAS headquarters in Washington, handles ongoing political and administrative issues. Each member country appoints an ambassador to sit on the Permanent Council. The Inter-American Council for Integral Development focuses on promoting economic development and combating poverty.

The OAS has sponsored several projects, which have been executed by NIHERST acting in the capacity of the CCST Secretariat. These projects include SIMBIOSIS and the IWRM project. Currently the OAS-sponsored Teacher Training for the Integration of IT into the Caribbean Classroom is being carried out in 4 countries: Trinidad and Tobago, St. Lucia, Guyana and Jamaica.

For more information on the OAS, go to www.oas.org .

The CDB has provided funding and support to NIHERST and the CCST Secretariat for projects such as the YAPOLLO tour of 6 Caribbean countries, Teacher Training for the Integration of IT into the Caribbean Classroom and the hosting of ITEC 2000.

For more information on the CDB and its importance and role in the Caribbean region, go to www.caribank.org.

International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) is an international organisation dedicated to advanced research and training in molecular biology and biotechnology, with special regard to the needs of the developing world.

NIHERST , as focal point for the ICGEB in this region, continues to disburse information from the ICGEB Headquarters in Trieste, Italy and New Delhi, India. This information includes notification of conferences, workshops organised by the Institute in the area of genetic engineering and biotechnology. For more information on the ICGEB, go to www.icgeb.trieste.it .

The Third World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) represents the best of science in the developing world. Its principal aim is to promote scientific capacity and excellence for sustainable development in the South. The Academy's more than 600 Fellows and Associate Fellows are elected from among the world's most distinguished scientists. Fellows are citizens of the South; Associate Fellows are citizens of the North who either were born in the South or have made significant contributions to the advancement of science in the South. About 80 percent of TWAS's membership are Fellows representing some 60 countries in the South.

Since 1986 TWAS has supported scientific research in 100 countries in the South through a variety of programmes. More than 2,000 eminent scientists worldwide, including TWAS members, peer review proposals free-of-charge for research grants, fellowships and awards that are submitted to the Academy by scientists and institutions in developing countries.

For information on the activities of TWAS goes to: http://www.ictp.trieste.it/%7Etwas/Activities.html or visit the main website at www.twas.org.

International Science and Technology Linkages