University of Guyana to Host 22nd  Biennial Caribbean Academy of Sciences Conference From August 9th – 14th; First Virtual Event, Min of Natural Resources to Keynote with Several High-profile Speakers

The University of Guyana will virtually host the Biennial Caribbean Academy of Sciences (CAS) conference. In all its 22 years, it is being held for the first time virtually, allowing participants to join in the discussions from many parts of the world. Guyana’s Minister of Natural Resources Hon. Vickram Bharrat will deliver the keynote address at the opening of the 22nd Biennial Caribbean Academy of Sciences Conference and General Meeting scheduled for August 9-14, 2021. In addition, the University of Guyana’s Vice-Chancellor, XI, Professor Paloma Mohamed Martin, CAS Regional Chapter President Prof. Raymond Jagessar, and CAS Guyana Chapter President Ms. Elena Trim will also deliver remarks at the opening ceremony.

The conference is open to all academics, researchers, educators, industry personnel, graduate, and undergraduate students who possess work that they can contribute to the Conference’s theme – “Science, Technology and Innovation for Sustainable Development in a Greener Caribbean.” Members of the public may utilise the following link to view the opening ceremony: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_dtaVYhGqTNifnLbt-2IyaQ

There are other sessions which are open free to members of the public via zoom. These include; the Women in STEM forum titled; “Career Trajectories: Overcoming Barriers and Advancing to Leadership”. This session will be held on9 August 2021 at 13:30 hrs. and persons wishing to join are kindly asked to use the following link: https://zoom.us/j/96736538409. The Youth in Science Forum titled; “Career Trajectories on the Shoulders of Giants” is scheduled for 10 August 2021 at 14:10hrs. and interested persons are kindly asked to use the following link to join: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_6rxf2-hQQLeqx0nMaGei4Q

Several high-profile speakers are expected to make presentations during the week-long conference. These include Percy C. Hintzen, Professor Emeritus, University of California; Berkeley, Guyana-born Dr. Maya Trotz, Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of South Florida, Astronomer at the University of the West Indies, Trinidad; Dr. Shirin Haque, Guyana- born and Cuban trained Veterinary Doctor and Zootechnician, Dr. Devon Dublin as well as food and agriculture and nature conservation specialist, Dr. Patrick Chesney, among other regional and international experts.  Persons interested in registering for the conference are kindly asked to do so urgently by clicking on the following link:  https://cas-gychapter.org/.

Abstracts were submitted under any of the sub-themes; Pure & Applied Sciences, Medical/Pharmaceutical Sciences, Renewable Energy, Environment & Ecosystems and Education, Humanities & Social Sciences.

The closing ceremony is set for Friday 13 August and is also open free to the public and could be accessed using the following link: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_jW5_vtzhR_CqpDbMwCnfqg.

Executives of the CAS Guyana Chapter use this opportunity to invite interested members of the public to join the local chapter of CAS. Benefits of becoming a CAS member include networking with local and regional scientists of all fields of study, access to all CAS conference proceedings, and reduced registration fees for CAS conferences. To become a CAS member, complete and submit the electronic application form at https://forms.gle/f41gqQ8JR5vv1tdy6. Upon approval of your application, you will be required to pay the annual membership fee of GYD $5,500.

CAS-Guyana in brief

The Caribbean Academy of Sciences was established in May 1988 in Trinidad & Tobago out of the need for scientists in the Caribbean to be an effective force for science in the region. The idea of CAS was birthed at the General Assembly Meeting of the International Council of Scientific Unions [ICSU] in Bern, Switzerland in September 1986. CAS embraces all areas of science including the Social Sciences and sees its role as:

• Facilitating cooperation in scientific and technological research with special reference to the Caribbean region.

• Recognizing outstanding performance or achievement in science and technology

• Undertaking or facilitating the publication and collation of the results of scientific research

• Creating Public Awareness in Science & Technology.

• Promoting scientific inquiry and development of the ‘Human Capital’.

• Exchanging knowledge and ideas for the good of Society.

The Guyana Chapter of CAS was resuscitated with the support and guidance of former Vice-Chancellor – Professor Ivelaw Griffith and past president of CAS Executive, Professor Emeritus Winston Mellowes. In February 2020 a new executive body of the CAS Guyana Chapter was elected. The current executive includes President – Ms. Elena Trim, Vice President – Dr. Anna Perreira, Programme Officer – Dr. Jacqueline Murray, Treasurer – Ms. Heetasmin Singh and Assistant Secretary-Treasurer – Dr. Dawn Fox. Ms. Petal Punalall Jetoo who coordinated the working group responsible for the election of the new CAS-Guyana executive body now serves as Secretary in the central CAS Executive but continues to provide technical support to the local team.

UG in brief

The University of Guyana is the 58th-year state University. It offers 141 programmes in over 60 disciplines online and face-to-face in eight campuses across Guyana. With a student population of now 10,000, UG has provided education, learning, and research for over 50,000 alumni. The mission of the University is to discover, generate, disseminate and apply knowledge of the highest standard for the service of the community, the nation, and of all mankind within an atmosphere of academic freedom that allows for free and critical inquiry. UG’s forward-thinking Blueprint 2040 is currently setting the course for the University’s future design and cutting-edge institutional response to the changing needs of Guyana.

Contact:

Ms. Krest Cummings

Public Relations Officer

Department of Events, Conferences, and Communication (DECC)
Office of the Vice-Chancellor
University of Guyana
Turkeyen Campus
Telephone # 623-5104