Students urged to focus research on SVG

The Ministry of Science, Technology, Telecommunications and Industry is currently involved in an initiative aimed at getting students studying overseas to focus their research on St. Vincent and the Grenadines.{{more}}

Speaking last week at the official launch of the Sustainable Grenadines Marine Resource Information System (MarSIS), Phillip Jackson, SVG Science and Technology coordinator, explained the initiative called the Indigenous Research Fund.

According to Jackson, the Indigenous Research Fund will focus on compiling information on St. Vincent and the Grenadines through local knowledge, which is one of the methods of research adopted by MarSIS.

The MarSIS project, which includes a three-week cruise through the Grenadine Islands, will collect information on the marine environment of the Grenada Bank through the knowledge of local persons as well as scientific knowledge already in existence. The cruise began on Tuesday, August 17, 2009, in Bequia and ends on September 5, 2009, in Canouan.

Jackson, congratulating project leader and UWI student Kim Baldwin on the commencement of the project, stated that the government has similar aims. “I think this is the best way we can take advantage of these scholarships… to combine it with indigenous knowledge, and at the same time develop a cadre of young professionals,” Jackson said. He added that he thinks that it is important for students to focus on research relevant to their home country, as the research done can assist in more knowledge-based decision making, policy planning and sustainability of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Jackson also disclosed government’s plans to have the information documented and a database created so that information can be easily accessed by students who wish to conduct research in St. Vincent. “If we can have a repository of all the information done on SVG that is easily accessible to our students…it would create a tremendous boost in encouraging young students to focus (their) research here,” he said.

Jackson also stated that allowances will be made for communication between possible student researchers and Vincentian researchers with vital and necessary information so that they can be tutored where necessary.

Jackson related his excitement about the MarSIS three week cruise project, as it would aid in the compilation of relevant knowledge on the marine biodiversity of the Grenadines. Jackson added that the “Science Technology and You” show will visit Kim Baldwin on the tour of the Grenadines. (OS)