JIS Press Release April 8, 2026
 |
| The Honourable Professor Errol Morrison, OJ |
Noted scientist Professor Errol Morrison, has called for a strategic shift from “brain drain” to “brain gain” as a catalyst for boosting Jamaica’s productivity and research capacity.
Delivering the keynote address during the College of Agriculture, Science and Education (CASE) Research Day Expo, held on the institution’s Portland campus in March, Professor Morrison argued that Jamaica must urgently expand its pool of graduate level researchers if it is to achieve meaningful success in research and innovation.
Citing data from the World Bank, he noted that any country serious about research and development (R&D) must have at least 2,000 individuals per million of its population actively engaged in the field.
“Jamaica, with roughly three million [people]… we will need… 6,000 individuals involved in R&D… [for any real] likelihood of success,” Professor Morrison explained.
However, he revealed a stark gap in the local landscape. “A detailed study of the Jamaican scenario shows we have no more than about 750 graduate-level individuals involved in research and development. So, we are not really on track to achieve major developments,” he stated.
Professor Morrison further highlighted that the majority of the nation’s highly trained talent resides overseas.
“Eighty percent of our tertiary graduates – those who have gotten master’s and doctoral degrees – live and work abroad,” he informed.
Despite this challenge, Professor Morrison pointed to a significant opportunity, noting that some 60,000 individuals in the diaspora have been identified who possess the requisite training and qualifications to enter the R&D sector.
“They are from the Caribbean… and if we were to focus and follow [research done by former Vice-Chancellor of the University of the West Indies] Sir Arthur [Lewis]…and show them local projects that they could [be] involved in, then we could possibly reverse the brain drain that we have been having and have a brain gain, bringing them back to help us in our research projects,” he said, adding “it is a win-win.”
Professor Morrison also noted that the Government has signalled its commitment to advancing the research agenda through the appointment of a scientist and researcher, Dr. the Hon. Andrew Wheatley, as Minister Without Portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister with Responsibility for Science, Technology and Special Projects.
“He’s moving to procure funds which the Government will use to support research programmes and projects that they see of national importance. So, funding will certainly be coming in the not-too-distant future for research budgets,” Professor Morrison stated.
Professor Errol Morrison (left), is presented with a plaque by Student Council President at the College of Agriculture, Science and Education (CASE) in Portland, Kemron James, following his keynote address at the institution’s Research Day Expo in March. Looking on are event moderator, Denise Dennis, and Acting Vice President of Academics at CASE, Fazel Huie.
 |
Professor Errol Morrison, delivers the keynote address during the College of Agriculture, Science and Education (CASE) Research Day Expo, held on the institution’s Portland campus in March. |
 |
Students of Excelsior Community College were among the participants at the College of Agriculture, Science and Education (CASE) Research Day Expo, held in March at the institution’s Portland campus inside the TP Lecky Hall. The event was addressed by Professor Errol Morrison. |
__________________________
DEATHS
Former well-known JBC staff member Lois Burke has died.
_________________
___________________
Bark Di Trute requests that you click on the advertiser's link on the page and also donate to the work of Bark Di Trute. It takes cash to care!
 |
| Click here to see what's happening. |
Subscribe Now!
Remember that Bark Di Trute could fail to bark one day without your support. Send your ideas, stories, and news by WhatsApp at (876) 816-5261.
You can view the blog with your computer at https://vderby.blogspot.com, and you will be able to see the various links. For example, there is a link that takes you to the calendar to see what is happening on the weekend. You can even search the site for articles. There is also a weather link, which you can use to track hurricanes.
_____________________
No comments:
Post a Comment
Blogs will be forwarded to national leaders, business leaders and others who might need to see such blogs.