Vol 3 January 15, 2016

Geological Society Celebrates 60 Years

The Geological Society of Jamaica was founded in 1955 with Dr. Lawrence Chubb as the first president. To commemorate its 60th anniversary, the Society hosted a conference at the UWI Mona Campus under the theme “From the Ground Up: Bridging the Gaps of Jamaican Geology” from November 23-28, 2015.

The activities opened with a Teacher Workshop on Hydrogeology funded by UNESCO and the Water Resources Authority of Jamaica (WRA) and facilitated by Mrs. Natalie Ferguson (Hydrologist, Hydrology Consultants Ltd. & Dairy Springs Ltd) and Mr. Basil Fernandez (Managing Director, WRA). There were also two field trips. A pre-conference field trip took participants on a transect from Benbow in Guys Hill to Moneague in St. Ann to examine White Limestone succession in the area; while a post conference field trip allowed participants to study sections of eastern Jamaica from western St Andrew to St. Thomas. Trip leaders were Professor Simon Mitchell and Dr. Thomas Stemann. The Jamaican Stratigraphic Commission also hosted a workshop in the Department of Geography and Geology where resolving stratigraphic issues were discussed. The two technical days (26th and 27th) saw 17 presentations from local and overseas participants under the sub themes: Cretaceous History & Geological Evolution of Jamaica; Palaeogene to Eocene, the Yellow to White Limestone Transition;

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A Lifetime of ServiceFST Staff Honored at UWI Long Service Awards Dinner 2015

40 Years Arthur McBean (Science Library)

30 Years Millicent Brown-Forbes (Mathematics)Eric Garroway (Life Sciences)Peter Gayle (Discovery Bay Marine Lab)Paul Reese (FST Office & Chemistry)Ralph Robinson (Life Sciences)

21 Years Mohammed Bakir (Chemistry)Conniel Cain (Life Sciences)Sandra Fairweather (Physics)Mark Gold (Life Sciences)Trevor Hall (Physics)Daphne Lowers (Life Sciences)Cemone Moore (Life Sciences)

15 Years Elaine Denton (Life Sciences)Sylvia Mitchell (Biotechnology)Howard Reid (Mona Institute of Applied Sciences)

FST HAPPENINGS | What’s going on in the Faculty of Science and Technology, Mona|

Vol 3 January 15, 2016

Coastal Group, reefs and reef sediments; and Applied Geology.

The conference was well attended by local geologists, undergraduate and postgraduate students. Graduate and undergraduate student participation was sponsored by the Office of Graduate Studies and Research and the Geological Society of Trinidad and Tobago (GSTT) respectively. At the opening ceremony four students were recognized by the society – Stephanie Parker (recipient of the GS Scholarship for 2015), O’Shane Rose (for the best final year thesis), Matthew Rahamut, (second year prize for the best field mapping project) and Aleem Mahabir (top geology first year student all for 2015).

The celebration activities were well received and the GSJ thanks the FST office, the Mines and Geology Division and the sponsors - Café Blue, GSTT, UWI, WRA and UNESCO.

Main Photos: GSJ Conference Participants (top) and Conference participants on field trip (right).

The Port Royal Marine Laboratory Celebrates 60 Years

I n No vember 2015 the Department of Life Sciences and friends celebrated the 60th Anniversary of the Port Royal Marine Laboratory (PRML). The PRML was founded in 1955 by Profes sors Ivan Goodbody and David Steven. The celebration of the 60th ann iver sa r y began wi th researchers, members of the

Department of Life Sciences, former alumni and well-wishers gathering for a commemorative church service at the UWI Chapel. Other activities included mangrove boat tours and tours of the PRML’s Biodiversity Centre for citizens of Port Royal and an alumni day trip to Lime Cay. The activities concluded with a Reunion of former researchers and staff on December 3 which allowed for reconnection, the sharing of memories and a look at how things have changed. Persons also got the opportunity to tour the Port Royal Mangroves and the special “mini-museum” featuring pictures, equipment used throughout the years, and publications from PRML. Those present also spoke of how their PRML experience impacted their lives and facilitated their environmental contributions across the globe including Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, Barbados, USA and Australia. Guests included Charlotte Goodbody, Euna Moore, Ronald Young, Frank Ross, Avril Siung Chang, Cesna McCain and Fred Hanley. The PRML thanks those all involved in the planning process and looks forward to the next 60 years!

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The Port Royal Marine Laboratory Celebrates 60

Years

60th Reunion (l-r): C. Goodbody, E. Moore, Elaine Fisher (photo by K. Aiken

Citizens of Port Royal on the Mangrove Boat Tour

60th Reunion: Frank Ross (left) catching up with

Emmanuel Blake (right)Photo by H. Small

Vol 3 January 15, 2016

Mathematics Career Fair

The Department of Mathematics held its 3rd Annual Career fair on November 20, 2015. Seventy-one finalising students spanning different majors in Mathematics were given the opportunity to interact with four private sector companies. Participating companies were Bank of Jamaica (BOJ), Guardian Life, Port Authority of Jamaica, and Victoria Mutual Building Society (VMBS ) . The companies represented entities which have in the past employed or currently employ Mathematics graduates. The event gave students a chance to receive feedback on their CVs, self-presentation and interview skills and provided companies with a change to vet students for recruitment in advance of their graduation.

Photo: Mathematics Students being addressed by Mr. Howard Hines, Director of the Actuarial Science Programme at the Opening ceremony of the 3rd Annual Mathematics Career Fair.

FST Mathematics and Chemistry Retirees Honored

Both the Departments of Chemistry and Mathematics held functions to honor recent retirees in December. Mathematics paid tribute to Mr. St. Elmo Whyte, Professor Alexandra Rodkina and Mrs. Millicent Brown-Forbes.

Photo: Mr. W. St. Elmo Whyte replies on behalf of the Mathematics honorees. Also in the photo are Dr. Kelly (Head of Department), Mrs. Millicent Brown-Forbes (honoree) and Professor Alexandra Rodkina (partially hidden) (honoree).

Chemistry paid tribute to Professor Henry Ellis, Professor Robert Lancashire, Dr. Anthony Greenaway and Mr. Englis Davy. The pictures tell the story of the great time had by all at the respective events.

Photo: Chemistry honorees L-R: Prof Robert Lancashire, Prof Henry Ellis, Dr Anthony Greenaway and Mr Englis Davy (Photo credits: VR Rattray)

fst@uwimona.edu.jm

http://www.mona.uwi.edu/fpas/

876-977-1785, 876-935-8961-2, 876-935-8240

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Did You Know?

FST offers over 15 taught graduate programs. Here are a few:

Diploma in Plant Protection Diploma in Plant Production Diploma in Food and Agro-Processing Technology Diploma in Medical Physics MSc. Advanced Electronic Systems MSc. Agricultural Entrepreneurship MSc. Biotechnology MSc. Computer Sciences MSc. Food & Agro- Processing Technology MSc. Mathematics MSc. Medical Physics MSc. Renewable Energy Management MSc. Renewable Energy Technology MSc. Natural Resource Management – Plant Protection and Production MSc. Natural Resource Management – Marine and Terrestrial Ecosystem MSc Occupational & Environmental Safety & Health MIS (joint with Faculty of Social Sciences)