Dr. Debbie-Ann Gordon-Smith, Director
Modern societies face many challenges and among them is the need to find solutions to problems involving the effects of climate change, obtaining reliable sources of clean energy, minimising pollution, improving the quality of manufactured products and controlling the spread of communicable and chronic diseases. Solving these problems requires science-based research as it can generate new knowledge towards the development of innovative products and processes and train scientists to implement solution measures.
The Centre for Science-based Research, Entrepreneurship and Continuing Studies (CSRECS) in the Faculty of Science and Sport, University of Technology, Jamaica, is a consolidation of the wide spread of activities involved in promoting research and further studies in the pure and applied sciences. The Centre partners with the three Schools in the Faculty by providing a framework for focused attention and management to ensure success in research, coordinating and developing consultancy teams and new courses within the Faculty. We are the link between the Faculty and the School of Graduate Studies, Research and Entrepreneurship (SGSRE), the UTech Academy, and the Office of Open and Distance Learning.
Among the initiatives supported by the CSRECS are the Mathematics and Statistics Learning and Consulting Unit, the Molecular Biology Laboratory for DNA Fingerprinting research, and the Integrated Optics and Experimental Physics Research Laboratory. The new Natural Products Research Laboratory has been established with the support of grants from the UNDP Global Environment Facility Small Grants Program and the Environmental Foundation of Jamaica.
The Centre supports the postgraduate and continuing education courses offered by the faculty. These currently include a Master of Science in Physical Education and Sport (in collaboration with G.C. Foster College of Physical Education and Sport) and a Master and Doctor of Philosophy (MPhil/PhD) in Chemistry. Professional continuing education courses offered by the Faculty include Laboratory Safety and Techniques, Water Works and Sewage Plant Operations and Maintenance and UTech/JFF/FIFA Football Level I and II Coaching. We are continuously developing new graduate and professional courses in the areas of Science and Sport to fulfil the training needs of an ever-changing society.
The CSRECS will continue to seek out and promote new initiatives that will promote science and sport in the region and seek solutions to the problems facing Jamaica and the wider Caribbean through science-based research.