October 3 Is Deadline For Innovators To Apply For Awards
By: , October 2, 2014The Key Point:
The Facts
- he bi-annual awards, which were introduced by Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, Hon. Phillip Paulwell, in November 2005, are in support of the Government’s efforts to promote the application of scientific and technical knowledge to meet the varied and shifting needs of the Jamaican economy, and ultimately to increase production, productivity and a diversity of products.
- The categories to be judged include Agriculture, Food and Agro-processing; Education and Popularization of Science, Technology and Innovation (STI); Energy; ICT and Electronics; Entertainment Products; Environmental Sustainability; Health and Safety; Youth Innovator; Engineering and Manufacturing.
The Full Story
Jamaican innovators planning to apply for the National Innovation Awards, through which individuals can win up to $1 million, have until Friday, October 3, to submit their applications.
The bi-annual awards, which were introduced by Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, Hon. Phillip Paulwell, in November 2005, are in support of the Government’s efforts to promote the application of scientific and technical knowledge to meet the varied and shifting needs of the Jamaican economy, and ultimately to increase production, productivity and a diversity of products.
Mr. Paulwell told JIS News that the initiative is important to the economy and to Jamaicans, because it provides a platform and an outlet to showcase advances in innovation in the country.
“We are seeking to encourage Jamaicans to recognize that the way to solve our economic problems is to add value to what we create, and to innovate,” the Minister explained.
The categories to be judged include Agriculture, Food and Agro-processing; Education and Popularization of Science, Technology and Innovation (STI); Energy; ICT and Electronics; Entertainment Products; Environmental Sustainability; Health and Safety; Youth Innovator; Engineering and Manufacturing.
The competition also aims to: sensitize Jamaicans on the importance of inventors, innovators and applicable standards for inventions; and to encourage inventors and innovators to develop commercially useful applications, gadgets, tools, equipment and other products and processes.
Other objectives of the awards are to create a cultural shift in perception regarding science and technology related careers and skills; foster a better understanding among Jamaicans regarding the role of innovators and inventors in the creation and diffusion of technical applications; and bring special attention to Jamaica’s scientific, technological and innovative community.
The Minister is encouraging all innovators to submit their applications. “We have millions of dollars worth of prizes that we will be awarding and this time. Very importantly, we will be bringing winners together with financial institutions to see how we can create partnerships,” he told JIS News.
Entries can be submitted by e-mail to headsrc@src-jamaica.org.