A regional science and technology centre, named after Prime Minister P.J. Patterson, is to be established in Jamaica.
Beginning next January the P.J. Patterson Institute of Science, Technology and Innovation will offer a high-level course for senior public officials and private sector leaders on science and technology innovation.
"It's main purpose will be to collect ideas world-wide that can be used to help countries, use existing science and technology," said Professor Calestous Juma of the
J.F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University who suggested the idea to Mr. Patterson.
Jamaica, he said, would serve as a centre for ideas on how to use technology to aid development.
The centre will need annual funding of US$2 million to US$3 million, Minister of Commerce, Science and Technology Phillip Paulwell told The Gleaner. This is currently being sourced from private foundations by a Canadian entity and amongst those interested said are the Rockerfeller Foundation and those of several former United States presidents, said Prof. Juma.
intensive science policy
Mr. Paulwell said the Institute will offer the same two-week intensive science and innovation policy which Prof. Juma taught him several years ago. This will be open to leading public officials and private sector leaders.
He said a location for the centre would soon be announced, either at the University of Technology (UTech) or the University of the West Indies (UWI) Mona.
R.S.
