SRC Continues Collaboration with Various Institutions

During the fiscal period 2007/08, the Scientific Research Council (SRC) continued the implementation of projects under co-operation agreements and Memoranda of Understanding with various institutions.
These include the Bureau of Standards Jamaica (BSJ), University of the West Indies (UWI), University of Technology (UTech), and the Coconut Industry Board.
According to a Ministry Paper that was tabled in the House of Representatives recently by Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Karl Samuda, said the continued collaboration with the BSJ was to determine quality problems and assist clients.
Against this background, 16 factories were inspected and reports submitted to the BSJ. In addition, seven members of staff were trained as ISO 9001: 2000 and ISO 14000: 2004 internal auditors and seven other members continued implementation of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) in assigned companies.
The SRC began collaboration with the UWI’s Department of Life Sciences to validate the insecticidal activity of some selected Jamaican plants. Moreover, continued work was undertaken with UTech on the development of a nutraceutical supplement, while there was the continued implementation of a project to rehabilitate the micro-filtration plant at the Coconut Industry Board (CIB) and to determine achievable shelf life of coconut water.
A three-month shelf life has been achieved so far for refrigerated micro-filtered samples of coconut water. The approach for shelf-stable water will be reviewed.
Meanwhile, based on demand, the SRC supplied plantlets to the Hope Gardens Development Group. Also, a KRAFT extrusion workshop was held from June 11 to 22, 2007, while several formulations of snacks were extruded incorporating local flours and spices.
The SRC also participated in an evaluation exercise by the Organization of American States (OAS) regarding the OAS-funded project titled: ‘Supporting the Development of a Nutraceutical Industry in Jamaica’. The Council received a favourable rating on execution of the project.
Furthermore, monthly calendars of regional energy events were developed and posted on the Caribbean Energy Information Systems (CEIS) website and an annual CEIS regional programme of activities was successfully implemented. The SRC also prepared and submitted a proposal regarding an information platform consultancy project to the CARICOM/Caribbean Renewable Energy Development Programme (CREDP). Also, approximately 175 external and 20 internal requests for science and technology (S&T) information were handled.