International 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:

• China

• Colombia

• Japan

• India

• Malaysia

• Nicaragua

• Nigeria

• South Africa

• Venezuela

• Zambia

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. 

The International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) conducts innovative programmes in life sciences for the benefit of developing countries. It strengthens the research capability of its members through information, training and funding programmes and advisory services. The Centre represents a comprehensive approach to promoting biotechnology internationally and is dedicated to advanced research and training in molecular biology and biotechnology with applications in the fields of public health, energy production, industrial production of high added-value commodities, nutrition, and environmental protection/remediation. Visit www.icgeb.org for further details.

Trinidad and Tobago became a member of the ICGEB on 12th of November 2003. This entitles the country to benefit from the Centre’s training and research programmes.  NIHERST is the Liason Office for the ICGEB and Professor Julien Duncan is Trinidad and Tobago’s representative on the Board of Governors of the ICGEB. His alternate is Prof. P. Umaharan of the UWI. Prof. Duncan is the pioneer of biotechnology in this country and has been serving as the country’s representative on the Board of Governors of the ICGEB for the past two years.

Third World Academy of Sciences

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 go to: http://www.ictp.trieste.it/%7Etwas/Activities.html  or visit the main website at www.twas.org. 

Inter-American Collaboration in Materials Research (CIAM)

CIAM is a hemispheric, multi-agency initiative through which participating OAS member countries support opportunities for new interactions among materials researchers. The initiative leverages the strengths of each country's scientific community. NIHERST is the national focal agency for CIAM and is promoting CIAM and competitive funding for collaborative research projects in 2006, in collaboration with the Faculty of Engineering, UWI.

The next official CIAM call for proposals is the period June 2006 to October 2006. The 5th CIAM Coordination meeting to deal with proposals is scheduled for early April 2007 in Canada. Researchers are expected to formulate proposals well in advance of June 2006 and to liaise with other country partners in the region.

The momentum of CIAM will be maintained by holding a workshop, which is proposed to take place in either Colombia or the USA in April 2006. For further details visit www.viep.buap.mx/imrc2005.htm and www.nsf.gov/mps/divisions/dmr/start.htm

Third World Organisation for Women in Science (TWOWS)

The largest organisation of women scientists in the world, TWOWS seeks to improve the status of women scientists within the scientific community and to provide opportunities for them to gain leadership roles in their societies.

Created in 1945 "to build peace in the minds of men", UNESCO celebrates 60 years in November 2006. This specialised UN agency serves as a laboratory for ideas and a standard-setter to forge universal agreement on emerging ethical issues amongst its 191 Member States, in addition to being a clearing-house for the dissemination and sharing of knowledge and information and a promoter of human and institutional capacity-building in the diverse fields of education, science, communication and culture.