The University of the West Indies is geared towards ensuring regional and
international recognition as the premiere graduate education and research
facility in the Caribbean and a primary driver of Caribbean development.
Through the Office of Research the UWI has established a network of researchers
in the field of Environmental Studies, Cultural Studies, also Disaster Management
and Mitagtion, Biotechnology, Tropical Medicine, and Social and Economic Studies
for Small Island Development States (SIDS).
As a regional research leader, The UWI has been pioneering the way in selected focal areas relevant to developing countries
in tropical areas globally. Driven by the Vice Chancellor’s Hurricane Relief Task Force initiative and emerging smoothly from
the concept of cross-campus Research Network, The UWI is now establishing a Technical Expertise Database in selected focal areas
of immediate relevance to regional development.
An example of the university’s inter-campus and institutional collaboration is the ongoing biological research being done by the
Tropical Medicine Research Institution. This institute conducts cutting edge biological research in the field of molecular genetics,
metabolism, sickle cell and adult nutrition as well as Health Economics.
The combined contribution to research by the three campuses are numerous.
Some highlights include:
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A partnership between the Faculty of Law and UNIFEM on the Cave Hill campus has resulted in extensive research being done on Child
Support, Poverty and Gender Equity in the Caribbean
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Dr. Halden Morris, a senior lecturer of the Mona Campus was granted a United States patent for his invention of a portable mini clothes
dryer and hair dryer. Five other patents were filed by UWI staff members.
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The St. Augustine campus has secured over US$3,422,492 worth of external funding for special projects such as a baseline study of the Eastern
Coastal regions (sponsored by the British Gas & Talisman Limited).