This project was sponsored by the Organization of the American States and was spearheaded by NIHERST in Trinidad and Tobago over the period 2003-2005. It involved the participation of nine other member countries of the CCST (Caribbean Council for Science and Technology) – Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The project set out to research and promote public awareness of the works and accomplishments of outstanding Caribbean nationals in the fields of Science, Technology and Innovation. It also aimed to correct the dearth of information on the achievements of Caribbean nationals in these fields.

The project complemented efforts by national governments to implement science promotion and popularisation programmes to build their national STI capability. Intended for use in such programmes, the project outputs comprised:

• A video documentary on 20 Caribbean Icons in STI for broadcast on national television.

• A Kids’ Booklet which features profiles on 35 outstanding personalities in STI.

• A website resource, which features profiles on leading Caribbean STI personalities for continuous update. 

For more information on this project, contact your country CCST representative or  the CCST Secretariat at: ccst@niherst.gov.tt or (868) 622-7880

Launch of Reference Resource Material

The Caribbean Council for Science & Technology (CCST) recently launched three reference resource materials from its just completed OAS sponsored project on Caribbean Icons in Science, Technology and Innovation (STI). The launch was held on Wednesday 9th November 2005 in St. George’s, Grenada at the office of Dr. The Honourable Keith Mitchell, Prime Minister of Grenada and the Minister with responsibility for Science & Technology in CARICOM.

At the launch Dr. Mitchell was presented by CCST Secretary, Mrs. Maureen Manchouck and project adviser, Dr. Eslie Alleyne, Chairman of NCST in Barbados, with copies of the very attractive children’s publication entitled “Caribbean Icons in Science, Technology & Innovation”. The book features the life and accomplishments of 35 outstanding scientists in the fields of Natural Science, Science Education, Innovation and Medicine. Complimenting the book is a video documentary on the lives of 20 of these stellar achievers and a web site (http://caribbean-icons.org) that is rich in information on the Icons.

The culmination of two years of research, the project was administered by CCST with the support of the National Institute of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (NIHERST), in Trinidad, which houses the CCST Secretariat. The project addressed the need to supply more information to the public on the region’s scientific capabilities and achievements; to publicly recognise the contribution of our Icons in STI; and to provide inspirational role models for students and young scientists.

Indeed Dr. Mitchell, in his special message in the book, expressed the hope that, “ These trailblazers can serve as an important inspiration to our future scientists. Their stories are sure to encourage boys and girls to stay in school, to feed their curiosity and to aspire to careers in the rewarding field of science and technology”. Expressing a similar view on the book was CCST Chairman, Mr. Felix Gregoire of Dominica who felt it would inspire youngsters to “gain new insights into the interesting world of science and be inspired to do their very best”.