November Is S&T Month

Jamaica is observing Science and Technology (S&T) Month in November under the theme ‘Science Solves’.

Being spearheaded by the Scientific Research Council (SRC), the month of activities will be highlighted by the 32nd Science & Technology Conference from November 17 to 19 at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston.

Addressing the launch of S&T Month at Jamaica House in St. Andrew on Monday (November 2), Minister without Portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister responsible for Science, Technology and Special Projects, Dr. the Hon. Andrew Wheatley, said the observance comes at a time when Jamaica is confronting the realities of climate change, natural disasters, economic uncertainty and the increasing demand on the country’s natural resources.

He said that Jamaica must use science to solve challenges impacting the country.

“I want us not just to think about science or Science Month as something that we must celebrate only in November of every year. It needs to be a part of our daily lives… . Let us, as a people, use science to solve our problems,” he stated.

Dr. Wheatley noted that science is not about the person “wearing the white lab coat” calling on Jamaicans to bring their innovations forward to boost the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP) and create wealth for the country.

“We have to now open the minds of Jamaicans to have that conversation to appreciate the sciences for what it really is. It drives development, it creates economic growth and development, it gives the ability to make more informed decisions, whether from a health perspective or from agricultural perspective or from developmental perspective,” he pointed out.

He noted that Jamaicans possess “extraordinary talents”, with the creativity and scientific ability demonstrated across our universities, research institutions, businesses, communities and classrooms.

“We have researchers making important discoveries, entrepreneurs developing innovative solutions and young people asking questions that challenge conventional thinking. We have no shortage of brilliance but we must ask ourselves a very fundamental question – are we extracting value from the knowledge we create?” he said.

“Are our discoveries becoming products, are our research findings becoming new industries, is the private sector investing in research and development or is it that the private sector prefers to import and repackage? Are our innovators creating businesses, jobs and opportunities for Jamaicans?”, he asked further.

Dr. Wheatley noted that while scientists and medical researchers have done work to advance knowledge in the field “we must now ask, where are the products, where are the technologies, where are the solutions developed from this knowledge that can reach patients, improve lives and create economic opportunities?

“How do we move from understanding a disease to developing technologies for its prevention, diagnosis, management and treatments? How do we ensure that Jamaica’s researchers are not only contributing to the global body of scientific knowledge but also participating in the global market for the solution that emerged,” he said.

He said that these and other matters will be discussed during S&T Month, noting that the conversations will go beyond the universities and boardrooms, reaching persons at all levels, especially young people.