Coffee aficionados worldwide have reason to celebrate! A groundbreaking study by
researchers at The University of the West Indies (UWI) Mona, in collaboration with
international partners, has cracked the code on the Coffee Berry Borer (CBB), a tiny
beetle with a devastating impact on coffee crops. This research paves the way for
sustainable solutions to protect coffee production, benefitting both farmers and the
environment.

Dr. Simone Badal, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Basic Medical Sciences has once again done The University of the West Indies, Mona proud. Dr. Badal has been awarded one of the Caribbean’s most prestigious awards, the Anthony N. Sabga Awards for Caribbean Excellence, for her pioneering contributions to the field of Science and Technology. Dr. Badal’s paradigm-shifting research in cancer treatment, specifically the development of Caribbean cancer cell lines, has significantly advanced treatment options for breast and prostate cancer in populations of African descent globally.

The University of the West Indies (The UWI) has reaffirmed its commitment to centering reparatory justice and sustainability in research, teaching, and learning, as it officially launched the One-UWI Research Cluster on Reparatory Justice on Friday, January 24, 2025. The launch occurred during an online ceremony, setting the stage for fostering a global impact on these critical issues.

Student innovators with ground-breaking solutions took center stage at the finals of the 2024/25 Vincent HoSang UWI Venture Competition, held at the Mona School of Business and Management on Friday, January 24, 2025. The competition, which began in September 2024 with over 100 students from all faculties across The UWI, Mona campus showcased visionary thinking aimed at transforming regional challenges into opportunities for growth.

Jamaica Castor Industry stakeholders celebrated the development of proposed phenotypic, genetic and physiochemical standards for Jamaican Black Castor Oil (JBCO) at The UWI/Compete Caribbean Jamaica Castor Symposium. The event was hosted at The University of the West Indies (The UWI), Mona Campus on November 8, 2024. It is expected that these standards will form the basis for obtaining a Geographic Indication (G.I.) for JBCO and to accelerate the process of “clawing back” a significant portion of the US$300 million JBCO global market for Jamaican producers.

The UWI, Mona Campus, officially launched the Fiscal Research Centre (FRC) in partnership with the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service (MOFPS), the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the University of Ottawa’s Institute of Fiscal Studies and Democracy (IFSD).

The University of the West Indies (The UWI), Mona Campus, celebrated a significant milestone on October 3, 2024, with the launch of the crXstal Caribbean Regional X-ray Science Toward Advancement Laboratory and the commissioning of the state-of-the-art Bruker D8 Quest Eco Single Crystal Diffractometer (SC-XRD).

The Building Out Our STEM Teachers (BOOST) Programme, an initiative dedicated to advancing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education throughout Jamaica has had a remarkable impact on STEM education in Jamaica. So much so that Professor Michael Taylor, Dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology at The University of the West Indies has called for it to be a national Programme.

The University of the West Indies (The UWI) launched its newest product, the International School for Development Justice (ISDJ), on Wednesday, August 21. The ISDJ is the world's first-ever global business school dedicated solely to online graduate programmes that focus on leadership of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Earlier this summer, the Jamaica International Beauty Expo (JIBE), the Caribbean’s premier event for beauty, wellness, and lifestyle, celebrated a successful launch with an engaging panel discussion which featured Dr. Howard Reid, head of the Mona Institute of Applied Sciences (MIAS) from June 28-30, 2024. In the discourse Dr. Reid highlighted significant advancements by the Mona Institute of Applied Sciences in revolutionizing the Jamaican Black Castor Oil (JBCO) industry.