Modern societies face many challenges including the need to find solutions to problems involving the effects of climate change, obtaining reliable sources of clean energy, minimizing 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, 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 Schools in the Faculty by providing a framework for focussed attention and management to ensure success in science-based 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) and the Continuing Education Open and Distance Learning (CEODL) office.
Among the initiatives supported by the CSRECS are the Mathematics and Statistics Learning and Consulting Unit, a Molecular Biology Laboratory whose capabilities are being extended to provide consultancy services in DNA Fingerprinting and Forensic analysis and the development of forensics capabilities within the Caribbean through the Edulink Forensic Science Project. We are in the process of developing new post-graduate courses of study in Chemistry and Environmental Science and will coordinate the offering of short courses for professionals and students.
The CSRECS will continue to seek out and promote new initiatives to promote science in the region and seek solutions to some of the problems facing Jamaica and the wider Caribbean through science-based research.