The University of the West Indies (UWI) and The State University of New York (SUNY) are set to hold the first post-COVID SUNY-UWI Health Research Consortium face-to-face meeting on March 9 and 10 at the Mona Campus of the UWI. 

The objective of the meeting is to provide a forum for faculty members within the UWI and SUNY university systems, and other university partners, to advance research. This aligns with the UWI’s mission, “To advance learning, create knowledge and foster innovation for the positive transformation of the Caribbean and the wider world.” 

The consortium grew out of the Health Research Taskforce that had its genesis in 2015 under an agreement between the two university systems and the UWI-SUNY Center for Leadership and Sustainable Development. 

The meeting is unique as it involves substantial participation by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), multiple universities and several industry partners from the United States. 

Vice Chancellor of The UWI, Sir Hilary Beckles welcomed the opportunity for intense deliberations and agreements on research initiatives.

 “UWI is a global university rooted in the Caribbean and responds to the needs of the region in the context of its history.  The SUNY-UWI Health Research Consortium has made significant advances in health research in response to epidemics of infectious and non-communicable diseases,” Beckles said.

“This meeting presents a rare mix of researchers, funders, industry and other stakeholders to decide on priorities and mechanisms for achieving research goals,” he continued.

Reflecting on NIH’s support of the SUNY-UWI partnership over the years, Dr Peter Kilmarx, acting director of the Fogarty International Center at NIH said health research is essential in the region.

“Health research is critical to healthy populations and economic development in the Caribbean. The Fogarty International Center and US National Institutes of Health are pleased to present at the SUNY-UWI Health Research Consortium Conference in our continued efforts to support broadening and strengthening partnerships and research capacity in the Caribbean region.”