Dr Parris Lyew-Ayee Jr, director of Mona GeoInformatix Ltd at The University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona, has been appointed to serve as chair of the Ministry of Science, Energy and Technology agencies the Scientific Research Council and the International Centre for Environmental and Nuclear Sciences.

The announcement was made by Minister of Science, Energy and Technology, Daryl Vaz during a virtual press conference today (January 15) where Vaz said his careful selection was based on Lyew-Ayee Jr’s probity, performance, integrity and honesty.

“It’s an honour to continue to serve my country in this expanded capacity,” said Lyew-Ayee Jr in response to his appointment.

“I am apolitical, and am gratified that this does not preclude me from being able to serve successive governments for the betterment of the country.”

He added: “Science is a crucial tool for the enhancement of society. I look forward to a greater integration of science into many different aspects of our lives. Science is so much more than test tubes and Bunsen burners. Mathematics and data science are sciences too. There are many ways in which we will seek to integrate the work being done across government agencies involved in the sciences, and build out the kind of science ecosystem conducive to growth for the country.”

Approved by Cabinet, the appointment will include advising the minister on matters of science policy and related initiatives, as well as ensuring proper and accountable governance and management oversight of the portfolio agencies.

Additionally, Lyew-Ayee Jr was appointed to the Michael Lee-Chin-led National Broadband Task Force, along with the other ministry portfolio heads including Wayne Chen, who has responsibility for energy, and Keith Duncan, with responsibility for technology.

Lyew-Ayee Jr further stated that “the kinds of work that the SRC and ICENS are doing are truly ground-breaking and internationally significant. I look forward to building on the great work of my predecessors and with the existing teams. ICENS, in particular, is effectively a joint venture between the Government of Jamaica and The UWI, so that will be extra special to me.”

Lyew-Ayee Jr also sits on the board of the Bureau of Standards Jamaica, and has chaired the Water Resources Authority and the National Works Agency.

The boards of ICENS and the SRC are also comprised of stalwart UWI academics and experts in their fields, Professor Michael Taylor, dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology; Professor Wayne McLaughlin, head of the Biochemistry Section in the Department of Medicine.