RICYT (the Ibero American Network of Science and Technology Indicators) was created in 1994 with the support of the Organisation of the American Sates (OAS), which served as
co-ordinator of this network . 

The goal of RICYT is to promote the development of instruments for the measurement and analysis of Science and Technology in Ibero-America for the purpose of guiding S&T policy formulation and decision making. 

The specific objectives of the network include:

• The design of appropriate indicators to measure and analyse the state of science and technology in member countries, and the evaluation of the resulting information.

• The exchange of information on science and technology and the development of comparative studies.

• The organisation of regional and multinational programs for the compilation of pertinent indicators and other information. 

• The staging of international meetings on priority themes.

• The publication of information and research works.

• The interface with public organisations responsible for statistics in Science and Technology. 

• The training of specialists in priority areas for the Network.

In 1999, CCST established a memorandum of understanding with the OAS and RICYT for the development and measurement of S&T indicators for the Caribbean. Caribbean countries participating in this project include Guyana, Barbados, Bahamas, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada, Antigua and Barbuda, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago. 

Since 1999, CCST has co-ordinated three consecutive Regional Science and Technology (S&T) Indicators Expert Workshops and two Regional Science and Technology (S&T) Indicators Meetings. 

Click here for regional reports (This document requires Adobe Acrobat Reader).

Click here for RICYT Indicators on the www

Public Perception of Science in the Caribbean

The National Institute of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (NIHERST) has released the report on the Survey on the Public Perception of Science, 2005. This study is the first of its kind in the English-speaking Caribbean and is a follow-up to a workshop held in St Lucia in March, 2005 on the public perception of science for Caribbean member states. The workshop was hosted by NIHERST and the Caribbean Council on Science and Technology (CCST) in collaboration with the Organisation of American States and the Ibero-American Network on Science and Technology Indicators (RICYT), the regional co-ordinator of science and technology indicators. The aim of the workshop was to examine the relevance and importance of understanding public perception of science and to review the theories and definitions of scientific literacy and the statistical methodologies used to gauge public attitudes, perceptions, interest and knowledge.

This survey was designed to determine the information needs of the public and provide indicators of public attitudes towards science. It includes data on the level of scientific awareness and literacy; the sources, interest and consumption of information and the popularisation of science and scientific research in Trinidad and Tobago. In addition, there is information on several key social characteristics of respondents. The study also provides a benchmark against which changes in attitudes to science can be monitored over time.

In keeping with NIHERST’s support for the overall development of science and technology in Trinidad and Tobago, this study aims to promote the measurement and analysis of public awareness and understanding of science for the purpose of guiding science and technology policy. This information can, therefore, assist researchers, decision-makers and science communicators in formulating and evaluating policies in science.

For more information on this publication, please contact the Science and Technology Statistical Unit, NIHERST at: stresearch@niherst.gov.tt or (868) 628-1154.