The
UWI Regional Headquarters, Jamaica. Wednesday, August 05, 2020. —
Two scientists from The
University of the West Indies (The UWI), Professor Terrence Forrester
and Dr Michelle Mycoo have recently been appointed to the
International Science Council (ISC). In an announcement made by the
ISC earlier this month, the two were named among eight distinguished
scientists selected from around the world, who will comprise a Small
Island Development States (SIDS) Liaison Committee.

According
to the ISC, the Committee will advise on strategic matters, such as
mobilizing input from the SIDS scientific community for the UN Decade
of Ocean Science in Sustainable Development.

The
members are also expected to bring other matters to the attention of
the ISC so that representation of the SIDS scientific community is
strengthened across the Council’s activities.

Professor
Terrence
Forrester is currently Chief Scientist for UWI SODECO (Solutions
for Developing Countries) and a Professor of Experimental Medicine in
the Faculty of Medical Sciences at The UWI, Mona Campus. As a
clinical scientist with a longstanding interest in cardiovascular
disease—primarily hypertension—he is renowned for his work with,
and dedication to tropical medical research.

Dr
Michelle Mycoo is a Professor of Urban and Regional Planning at The
UWI, St. Augustine Campus. As an urban planning expert, her work,
recognised regionally and internationally is dedicated to pivotal
inter-related issues such as land use planning, climate change
adaptation, disaster risk reduction, water management and integrated
coastal zone planning.

Their
appointments are until December 31, 2021 in the first instance, and
will then be reviewed for renewal. They will meet with other members
virtually during the period and updates on the Committee’s
activities will be shared with other ISC members and via the ISC’s
website.

As
a regional university, The UWI continues to intensify its efforts at
leveraging its inter-disciplinary research and scientific expertise
on the unique issues faced by SIDS to address the multi-dimensional
development challenges facing the Caribbean. The appointment and
commitment of Professor Forrester and Dr Mycoo are testament to this
effort.

Earlier
this year, the world’s most reputable ranking agency, Times
Higher Education recognised
The UWI in its ‘Impact Rankings 2020’ which maps how universities
are responding to the world’s biggest concerns, outlined in the 17
United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This is the only
global performance table that assesses universities on their
research, outreach and stewardship of the SDGs. Of the 768
universities on the table, The UWI ranked among the top 200 for its
work on SDG3: Good Health and Wellbeing; SDG5: Gender Equality and
SDG13: Climate Action.