The Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Gaston Browne, the Vice-Chancellor of The University of the West Indies, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles and the Chair of the Association of Commonwealth Universities, Professor Sir Ed Byrne signed a Memorandum of Understanding this week to formalise collaboration in support of a Centre for Excellence for Oceanography and the Blue Economy at The University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus.
According to a release from the Office of the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, the centre aims to advance intellectual progress and strengthen institutional capacity in the areas of marine science and the blue economy while benefitting from the societal, economic and environmental opportunities for the Caribbean within this emerging sector.
The release noted that large ocean states like Antigua and Barbuda stand to benefit from an-emerging aquaculture, marine renewable energy, biotechnology and sea vegetable farming industry worth US$2.5 trillion.
During the signing, Browne said: “The UWI Five Islands Campus is an investment in the youth of Antigua and Barbuda and the Eastern Caribbean. My Government’s support for this Centre of Excellence for Oceanography and the Blue Economy is predicated on our vision to provide easier access to quality training and new knowledge at a tertiary level for our people.
“Its realisation will require our collective ingenuity and commitment to identify and secure the necessary resources to advance this important ambition. I, therefore, invite all present today to partner with us in a tangible and efficacious manner to establish this Centre in short order.”
And Beckles said: “We are an activist university, tackling all of the big challenges facing our region, and committed to serving the development needs of our people. Expectedly, therefore, The UWI has been at the forefront of teaching, research and advocacy on sustainable development and climate action in the Caribbean for many decades.
“Our years of significant contributions have earned us recognition as the global leader in the mobilisation of research and advocacy for a climate-smart world. It is a designation we have proudly accepted with a deep sense of commitment.
“In furtherance of that commitment, we embrace this opportunity to mobilise our expertise as we work alongside our governments and partners in this area of critical importance to the sustainability and competitiveness of the Caribbean.”
Byrne praised the Antiguan Government for steps taken to establish the centre.
He said: “None of the Sustainable Development Goals can be achieved without higher education. The Government of Antigua and Barbuda’s vision to develop a Centre of Excellence in Oceanography and the Blue Economy at The UWI Five Islands campus is a key example of this, and we welcome the Government putting higher education at the heart of their approach.”
“Today lays the groundwork for the Association of Commonwealth Universities to support success, by convening universities from across the Commonwealth and developing the networks and collaborations which underpin research-led solutions.”
Also speaking at the signing was Professor Densil Williams, Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Campus Principal of The UWI Five Islands Campus who outlined the vision for the expansion of the campus.
He said: “A Centre for the Blue Economy will be a big step in diversifying the economies of the region as we look for new growth poles to drive sustained and equitable growth. The traditional sectors of commodities and low-value services will not be able to deliver the kind of growth needed to lift more persons out of poverty and allow our citizens to live a decent life. The Blue economy, on the other hand, has vast potential to generate mass employment given its proclivity to scale.”
Antigua and Barbuda’s Minister of the Blue Economy Dean Jonas continues to chair an International Steering Committee whose mandate is to provide the direction to unlock the resources for the successful establishment of the centre.
Dr Stacy Richards-Kennedy, Director of The UWI’s Office of Global Partnerships and Sustainable Futures, co-chairs this International Steering Committee.
