Some of the students, involved in environmental studies, who participated in the third staging of the Northern Caribbean University Research Apprenticeship Programme (RAP) with Dr. Vincent Wright (far right), Chair, Department of Biology, Chemistry and Medical Technology. - Contributed

Jamaica is lagging in several areas, not because of a lack of resources and capabilities, but due to underexposure of its people to research, according to director of research and grants at the Northern Caribbean University (NCU), Dr. Juliet Bailey-Penrod.

As part of efforts to tackle this concern, NCU yesterday concluded the third staging of its month-long Northern Caribbean University Research Apprenticeship Programme (RAP), in which 30 students from high schools across the island participated.

"This programme exposes our people and encourages them to get involved in research, because it is through research that development and progress will come to our nation," Dr. Bailey-Penrod said.

RAP is a residential summer research programme, sponsored by NCU's Office of Research and Grants, which aims to stimulate interest in careers in science and agriculture, business and social sciences, religion and politics.

Experts

Students remain on dorms throughout the programme and are required to participate in research in one of the academic disciplines offered at the university. The participants work along with selected NCU faculty members to complete assigned research activities, most of which are based off-campus. Along with daily research, the students are also taught by research experts and scientists who are brought in to give lectures on various research-based topics. The research that the students engage in range from areas in which outcome is tangible, such as soap and paper making, to areas where outcome will only be seen in the long term, such as the behavioural sciences.

According to Jennifer Bartley-Smith, administrative secretary, Office of Research and Grants, NCU, the programme helps to sensitise students at the secondary level about research methodology, procedures and application before they enter the tertiary level.

An enjoyable experience

Kevin Williams, a lower sixth form student at Glenmuir High School and 2006 top performer in the CXC examinations, said he found the research experience "quite enjoyable and very informative".

Recent graduate of Westwood High School, Kimberlie Bailey, a participant sponsored by the National Commission on Science and Technology, also shared her thoughts on the programme.

"RAP is very interesting and informative. You get the chance to go out and actually see science at work," she said.