The future of the Caribbean economy depends on an active drive to support innovation and entrepreneurship that includes a wider, more diverse cross-section of our society. The creative industries, sport, renewable energy, and local/regional food production are only a few of the areas in which The UWI is spearheading entrepreneurship and business development as a key driver of sustainable economic growth in the region.
Some Innovation and Entrepreneurship Developments in 2015-2016
- The Centre for Food Security and Entrepreneurship's work to encourage and facilitate Caribbean agri-business and food production.
- Research, training and innovation in Renewable Energy, including new postgraduate programmes, feasibility studies, and other investigations of the use of solar, wind, geothermal and biogas energy across The University, as well as the construction of a Net-Zero Building on the Mona Campus in Jamaica, as a prototype for more energy-efficient, disaster-resistant construction in the region.
- The Greater August Town Film Festival (http://www.gatffest.com/), started by the Centre for Tourism and Policy Research at The UWI Mona Campus, which showcases local and regional films, while encouraging the development of the film industry in Jamaica. The festival team created The UWI Community Film Project, to equip youth from disenfranchised communities with skills in filmmaking and video production: empowering them to become creative entrepreneurs.
- The UWI has initiated plans to establish a Faculty of Sport to build on the Caribbean’s global reputation for sporting stars and The University’s enhanced sporting facilities, to become an internationally-recognized teaching, research and training centre in sport and sports-related disciplines.
