UWI to establish ‘virtual’ research centre on plants, animals

The efficient and sustainable use of TT’s plants and animals will be studied by a virtual Centre for Research in Natural Products which will be established by the University of the West Indies (UWI) at the St Augustine campus. The Centre will bring together the required expertise of a wide range of different disciplines with groups of researchers working toward this goal. UWI is currently finalising a proposal to get funding from an international agency. A Physick Garden will also be established for teaching and research into medicinal plants. Tewarie said it will serve as an “an important plank” in UWI’s wider programme of study and research that will include biological diversity, resource management, forestry, a renewed thrust in agriculture and health and wellness. Principal of UWI, Dr Bhoendradatt Tewarie made these announcements last Friday at the opening ceremony of the three-day Caribbean Association of Researchers and Herbal Practitioners (CARAPA) (in collaboration with UWI’s Pharmacology Unit) sixth annual workshop at the UWI Learning Resource Centre.

Angostura Ltd has provided seed funding for the Garden, which will become part of an international network of similar gardens engaged in teaching and research. Tewarie said the university is also encouraging links with other institutions in other countries where similar developments are taking place. A working relationship has been initiated with CDRI in Lucknow, India, to allow UWI to access expertise in commercialising the results of its research. The National Herbarium based at St Augustine will play a vital role in identifying and vouchering plants for scientific purposes and Tewarie said it will continue to be involved in this “budding sector.” The herbal medicine workshop had four sessions: the Scientific Evaluation of Medicinal Plant Extracts, Developing a Viable Caribbean Herbal Industry, Issues for a Caribbean Herbal Industry and Continuing Education in Herbal Medicine.