New SRC Chairman Expected to Drive New Marketing Thrust

Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining Hon. Phillip Paulwell has said that a new chairman of the board of the Scientific Research Council (SRC) will be announced shortly.

He made the disclosure while addressing scientists and technologists of the Faculty of Pure and Applied Science at the University of the West Indies, Mona campus on March 8.

Mr. Paulwell noted that the appointment of the chairman, who is a business woman, represents a shift in the tradition of appointments to head the SRC Board. He noted that formerly only scientists were so selected.  However, according to the Minister the appointment represents an experiment, and is one aimed at driving the new thrust of the SRC. He noted however, that the new chairman has a strong background in science and technology.

“I’m trying a different approach to see if we can unleash to the society the tremendous work that the SRC has been doing,” Mr. Paulwell said.  

Meanwhile, he assured that the SRC is going to be given a strong mandate and firm support from the government. “I believe it is going to take a total transformation in how we think, that will enable us to embrace new ways of doing business, providing services and producing goods,” he stressed.

Minister Paulwell also noted that the SRC has a major role to play in supporting the re-energised National Commission on Science and Technology (NCST), which will be pushing the use and advancement of science and technology in Jamaica.

He told the gathering of Faculty members that the university and more specifically the faculty would have a significant voice on that commission.

By O. Rodger Hutchinson, JIS PRO