Government officials and a host of international scientists, engineers, technologists, business people, and artists attend five-day meeting to chart the region’s future
MEETING OF THE MINDS: Participants of the Caribbean Future of Science Symposium at the Mt Irvine bay Resort in Tobago.
From March 8 to 12, a diverse group of globally renowned experts in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) gathered at Mt Irvine Bay Resort in Tobago for the inaugural Caribbean Future of Science Symposium. The goal of the gathering was the fostering of substantive discussions on expanding the potential of science and research in Trinidad and Tobago and the region.
With the theme of identifying areas where science and research could be advanced, attendees discussed topics like properly equipping Caribbean scientists with the skills to navigate the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI), address climate change, and harness the potential of music technology.
The symposium was made possible through funding from the Simons Foundation to The UWI. Simons Foundation describes itself as a foundation that champions science through grant funding, support for research, and public engagement. UWI St Augustine also provided support.
The Caribbean Future of Science Symposium’s director was theoretical physicist Prof Stephon Alexander from Brown University, and its chief strategist was Mr Everard Findlay, a global systems strategist. Both Alexander and Findlay are Trinidad-born. The symposium’s local organising committee was chaired by UWI St Augustine astronomy professor Shirin Haque.
A highlight of the symposium was a public lecture by the Physics Nobel laureate Prof Michael Kosterlitz.
In a recent interview, Prof Haque explained that the symposium has been in the works for over a year, and it was the brainchild of both local scientists and scientists with Trinibagonian roots.
“We have been having discussions for a while now as to how The UWI could lift the Caribbean region in science,” she said. “The beauty of it was that these people who left Trinidad a long time ago were able to reach out and contribute to lifting science in the region.”
She added, “The passion and motivation of the team is what really made this event happen.”
Attendees included astronomer and Nobel laureate Dr Wanda Díaz-Merced, American bass guitarist and composer Melvin Gibbs, UN representative Hermina Johnny, UWI St Augustine Campus Principal Prof Rose-Marie Belle Antoine, Finance Minister Colm Imbert, UTT President Emeritus Professor Clement Imbert ORTT, CEOs of global biotech companies, and luminaries in the arts.
Graduate students and faculty members from The UWI were also in attendance including Emeritus Professor Brian Copeland, data scientist Prof Patrick Hosein, theoretical physics lecturer Dr Roger Andrews, and UWI Mona physics lecturer Prof Tannecia Stephenson. Regional physicists included Dr Claude McNamarah from the Bahamas, and Dr Abuenameh Aiyejina from Antigua Open Campus.
With science and technology now at the forefront of global development, Haque said it is important that the region recognises and invests in the field to be competitive.
“A big shift is happening and we are in the digital wave,” she commented. “If we are not players in the global science and technology drive, then we will be left behind.”
The astronomy professor pointed out that “there are many issues that we face in the region which science can address, like climate change”.
These discussions were guided by keynote speakers such as Dr Díaz-Merced, Prof Kosterlitz, Prof Hosein, data scientist at the University of Virginia’s School of Data Science Prof Renee Cummings, music technologist at NYU’s Steinhardt School Prof Ted Rowe, and Prof Copeland.
“In the night, there were also panels about how we [experts in our fields] can bridge the gaps in science in the region and also help the region make a statement on a global scale,” said Prof Haque.
She shared that attendees agreed on the importance of the Caribbean embracing AI and developing its capacity to engage with the technology as “we are going to get left behind very fast”.
“There were also discussions about the possibility of having a scientific institute of international stature based in Tobago,” she said. “Just think of how something like this would change the landscape of science and technology in the region, and how this can be a hub of growth.”
Beyond the symposium, Haque said some of the ideas conceptualised have already been turned into action and more projects are on track to be actualised. Opportunities have been secured for local scientists to spend time at international institutions and access technology that the region may not yet have.
“Things have already happened coming out of the symposium,” said Prof Haque. “Dr Wanda Díaz-Merced has already started a project in Tobago for astronomy and science for people with disabilities [Dr Diaz-Merced is blind]. Another attendee, Prof Harrison from Newcastle University, came back to Trinidad and had a workshop which introduced astronomy and science to people who are visually impaired.”
She added, “At that meeting, we had three blind people and other stakeholders figure out how we can transform an audio technology developed at Newcastle University with a Caribbean flavour using our own local people.”
Assessing the symposium as a success, Haque said there are plans for future iterations of the event. But it was is just one part of a larger project that will be executed over the next three years.
She shared that funds have been allocated to allow local scientists and researchers to work on some of the technologies and solutions discussed at the symposium.
She said, “Moving forward, the inclusion of young people and high school students will be key in these efforts. In conversations with teachers in Tobago, they told me they are having a hard time promoting science and mathematics to students in the school.”
She added, “Imagine the effect that it can have when local students see Trinidadians and Tobagonians participating in cutting edge research right at home and abroad.”
The UWI, Prof Haque said, has already made commitments to support projects and research arising from the symposium.
