UWI's Biotech Centre is 20

The Biotechnology Centre of the University of the West Indies will be marking its 20 years of pioneering work in the field of biotechnology on Wednesday at the Mona Visitors' Lodge.

Founding director of the Biotechnology Centre, Professor Mohammed Ahmad, said the centre opened in 1990, through funding from the European Economic Commission, to carry out research and training programmes and to use the techniques of biotechnology and genetic engineering to enhance agro-industries in Caribbean.

"I feel strongly that our research can assist the private sector to develop, transfer and commercialise new bio-science discoveries and provide economic opportunities for industries in the region," he said.

A good opportunity

With that in mind, Ahmad said it was his hope that the 20th anniversary event on June 16 would be an opportunity for representatives of the private and public sectors, together with young scientists at the UWI who work in biotechnology, biochemistry and molecular biology to discuss ways in which research done by young postgraduate students can become opportunities for economic development.

"Biotechnology has tremendous commercial potential and we hope that this event will become the platform from which long-term collaborations can be established between academia and the business community for the good of the nation," Ahmad continued.

In emphasising that point, the Biotechnology Centre's director said in the past the centre has successfully worked on several research-and-development projects sponsored by the Jamaica Broilers Group, an organisation which continues to give support to the work being done at the centre. In fact, Ahmad said his organisation could only have realised its goals because of the generous backing of corporate Jamaica and he expressed appreciation to the local industries which continue to give support.