The University of the West Indies Solutions for Developing Countries (UWI SODECO) continued its mission to address pressing medical and socioeconomic challenges facing developing nations, with a particular focus on the Caribbean. As an international research charity, UWI SODECO aligns its objectives with the UWI Triple A Strategy and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), prioritising health, education, economic growth, and environmental sustainability.

Identity and Goals

UWI SODECO operates through two main arms: Solutions for Medicine (SFM), which advances medical research, and Solutions for Society (SFS), which tackles socioeconomic issues. The organisation’s primary goal is to elucidate the molecular mechanisms behind the increased risk of cardio-metabolic diseases and neurocognitive deficits in populations experiencing rapid lifestyle changes. Current efforts also focus on rehabilitating mangroves in south Clarendon, Jamaica, while creating sustainable livelihoods for local communities.

Team and Collaborations

UWI SODECO has a multidisciplinary team, including leading academics, research fellows, and project managers, supported by UWI faculty and a global network of collaborating scientists from institutions such as Harvard University, the University of Auckland, and Loyola University of Chicago. These collaborations enable UWI SODECO to leverage international expertise and resources for impactful research and community projects.

ACHIEVEMENTS AND STRATEGIC ALIGNMENT

Expanding access to tertiary education remains a key focus, with UWI SODECO supporting early- career clinician scientists and supervising doctoral research. In 2024, the programme renewed the registration of a PhD candidate whose completion is expected in 2026.

Industry-academia partnerships have yielded significant progress in combating childhood malnutrition. The “Saving Brains from Malnutrition” initiative, in collaboration with Nutriset-fr and funded by Wellcome Leap (US$1 million), evaluated a redesigned, WHO-prescribed rehabilitation feed. Conducted in Bangladesh, the trial showed promising results: improved weight gain, a healthier gut microbiome, and enhanced cognitive markers in children with severe acute malnutrition. The findings are under review for potential adoption by the World Health Organisation.

In terms of innovation, UWI SODECO signed an agreement in 2024 to redevelop a dormant sugar port in south Clarendon, integrating ecological and social best practices. This project not only supports environmental resilience but also provides economic opportunities for coastal residents.

SDGs and Environmental Impact

The Blue Carbon Restoration project, aiming to restore 9% of Jamaica’s mangroves, entered its restoration phase. The initiative will mitigate climate change through carbon sequestration and enhance coastal resilience, delivering broad social and economic benefits.

Research Programmes

UWI SODECO’s research portfolio includes:

• Cognitive rehabilitation for survivors of childhood malnutrition in Jamaica, funded by Groupe Nutriset (EU 0.9 million).
• The epidemiology of sleep disturbances and meal timing on obesity and diabetes, a multinational NIH-funded project (US$ 1 million).
• Comprehensive mangrove restoration in South Clarendon, supported by the Inter-American Development Bank (US$ 2.5 million plus a supplementary grant).

All projects are on track, with milestones achieved in environmental restoration and global health research.

Conclusion

UWI SODECO’s 2024/2025 achievements reflected its commitment to bridging research, policy, and practice to better develop societies, strengthen human capital, and foster sustainable growth in alignment with regional and global development agendas.