UWI aims to rebrand science for a new generation

In early 2024, the Faculty of Science and Technology (FST) at The University of the West Indies, Mona launched the FiWi Science Initiative, alongside a suite of related projects. Two years on, the programme is still gathering steam. The faculty is now inviting “interested individuals and organisations to support this effort by providing sponsorship in cash and kind, information and sharing about the initiative”.

“This initiative is aimed at addressing some of the information challenges reducing the likelihood of students pursuing science, technology, engineering, medicine (STEM) studies at the tertiary level,” said Dr Susan Otuokon, strategic development officer in the Dean’s Office of the Faculty of Science and Technology.

“STEM refers to those skills commonly used across all fields in pure and applied science. These skills, for example, critical thinking, problem-solving and computer literacy are very useful in the modern workforce and emerging industries. A lack of adequately educated and trained personnel in STEM will have a negative impact on a country’s economy and development,” she added.

The problem is not uniquely Jamaican. “Globally, interest in pursuing STEM subjects at the tertiary level is declining and it has been found that from entering secondary school, interest in pursuing STEM subjects and careers begins to decline,” Otuokon noted. “This has become worse since the COVID-19 pandemic and the reduction in practical sessions. The reasons are complex, but it is not simply because STEM subjects are ‘too hard’ as 52 per cent of the sample of US adults surveyed in a Pew Centre Survey stated, but these are some reasons.”

Against that backdrop, the FiWi Science Initiative has set itself an ambitious cultural task. “Thus, the goal is to popularise the study of science and technology at the tertiary level, among older children (10 to 14 years old), and youths (15 to 24 years old) by using art and technology to increase visibility and accessibility to information on scientists, what they do and their relevance to our lives and also, Jamaica’s science heritage.”

That aim is being pursued through several strands, notably the FiWi Science Murals and the FiWi Science Portal. The murals are to be installed on prominent walls within the Faculty of Science, beginning at the main entrances, and collectively forming a ‘Heritage Trail of Scientists & Science’. Each work will feature QR codes linking to the FiWi Science Portal, with augmented-reality elements designed to deepen engagement and spark curiosity.

“The murals will be viewed by thousands of students passing through the FST annually, including primary and secondary students visiting for maths and physics olympiads, science festival, etc. The muralist, Yanque Yip, with his concept was chosen for the mural production,” Otuokon said.

Permission has been secured and funds raised for the first phase: a mural on the Ring Road, facing the Inter-Faculty Lecture Theatre (IFLT). It will depict Francis Williams, an African-Jamaican scientist who achieved international recognition in the first half of the 18th century, but whose contributions were almost erased from the historical record. Interest in Williams was revived only recently, after his portrait resurfaced in a British museum. A second phase, however, remains unfunded. Roughly $3.3 million is still required to produce a mural spanning about 60 feet of wall space on the IFLT, celebrating scientists of the 20th and 21st centuries.

Running alongside the visual programme is the FiWi Science Portal, a growing online repository. “The FiWi Science Portal provides a database of scientists generally with a short bio on each scientist, what they do/did, its relevance, and where possible, a bit of their personal background to create a connection with the reader,” Otuokon explained. “Each bio includes a small photograph and links to websites with more information including newspaper articles and videos where possible. There is a game to introduce users to exploring the site and information on science special days and events. The plan is that the site will become the ‘place to go’ to link with scientists for commercial purposes and related fees will help cover maintenance costs.”

The portal was launched on January 30 last year with just under 100 scientists. That number has since doubled and continues to grow steadily as new material is added. According to Google Analytics, new users now range from 500 to 1,000 monthly, with peak traffic recorded in October 2025.

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