The Caribbean Academy of Sciences (CAS), having had its inaugural meeting in 1988 is now 30 years old. We are pleased to be associated with the celebration of The University of the West Indies in its seventy years of serving the Caribbean Region in Tertiary level education and research to become one of the leading Universities in the world
During the period of its existence of CAS we can be very proud of its achievements. This Biennial conference on Science and Technology, and we now add Innovation, remains one of the highlights of CAS.
The Caribbean Academy of Sciences (CAS) is an organization which brings together engineering, natural scientists and social scientists from the English, French, Spanish and Dutch speaking Caribbean. Members of the Academy are drawn from Cuba in the north all the way to Guyana and Guatemala on the South American continent. The Academy has recognised Chapters in Trinidad and Tobago, here in Barbados, Guyana and Guadeloupe, Jamaica and has established such Chapters in Antigua in 2010 and Barbados in 2012. Its major mission is :
CAS has sought therefore to raise the level of scientific consciousness in the region and to increase public understanding and appreciation of the importance and potential of Science and Technology in human progress. A strong science and technology base facilitates progress and creates a promising future for a nation and its people. The Academy works with associations of academies such as IANAS, TWAS, IAP to strengthen the science, technology, and health initiatives of our region. There is also the prize for Young Scientist donated by TWAS.
We recognize that development is ultimately for and about people. As scientists and technologists it is part of our duty to assist in improving the quality of life of the people in the Caribbean region. A few of our initiative are worth mentioning. We have successfully run workshops in many of our Caribbean countries in STEM/IBSE. We have collaborated through Dr. Mark Wuddivira in contributing to a booklet which looked at the challenges facing our countries in looking at elements of food security—from poor soil to lack of high-quality seeds to inefficient water use or fuel—which contribute to reduced agriculture output and increased food insecurity. We have collaborated in producing a Chapter in a booklet which emphasized our contribution to STEM/ Inquiry Based Science Education in many of our Caribbean countries. We have also contributed to booklets on Energy and the contributions of women in science in the region. We are currently looking at the problems associated with water and its usage. Most of the above represent our collaborative efforts with IANAS.
While we are proud of our achievements we have not been very successful in creating awareness among policy makers and providing science-based advice to our governments. We also need our talented scientists and engineers to work with their foreign counterparts to solve pervasive problems and support educational programs. We have a wide cross-section of membership and look forward to their Presentations and that of our distinguished invited speakers. It promises to be a very high level conference.
In conclusion I wish to thank the Mona Campus of The University for its stellar contribution including that of the Graduate studies of the Campuses. We wish to thank our myriad sponsors. We say a hearty thank you to everyone and the Academy looks forward to better serving your needs in the future.
Prof Emeritus Winston A Mellowes
November 2018