SRC Looking to Forge Additional Private-Sector Partnerships

Executive Director of the Scientific Research Council (SRC), Dr. Charah Watson, says the organisation is looking to forge more private-sector partnerships to enhance its initiatives and expand its reach.

She told JIS News that the entity has refashioned some of its programmes to allow more persons to benefit, and now needs additional assistance to carry out its mandate.

“We are encouraging the private sector to support us. Their sponsorship will be going directly towards creating the Jamaica that they want to live in and the workforce that they want, as well as developing our students into thinking individuals in exposing them to science and technology very early,” Dr. Watson added.

Currently, the organisation receives most of its funding from the Consolidated Funds, where all government revenues must be deposited and from which expenditure allocations are provided.

Dr. Watson said the SRC will continue to develop grant proposals to secure funding for its projects from private-sector organisations.

One of the entity’s initiatives that has gained financial backing from the business sector is the construction of a biodigester at Carron Hall High School in St. Mary.

The system treats waste from the institution’s piggery to create fertiliser and biogas, which is utilised as fuel.

It was donated in 2019 by the SRC in collaboration with the Digicel Foundation, Food for the Poor Jamaica, American Friends of Jamaica and Caribbean Broilers Group Limited.

Marketing and Corporate Communications Division Manager of SRC, Carolyn Rose Miller, informed that the Council is looking to extend this project to other schools across the island.

“As long as a school has an interest, they can reach out to us. SRC will provide the technical support, and we are inviting private-sector organisations to partner with us to make this possible,” Mrs. Rose Miller said.

The organisation is also seeking sponsorship for other initiatives such as the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Ambassador Programme, Summer Attachment Programme for teachers and the revamped Nex Gen Externship Programme.