News and Events

PitchIT Caribbean’s Alumni Launch and Networking Mixer

On Friday 16th November 2018, the Caribbean Industrial Research Institute (CARIRI) hosted the PitchIT Caribbean’s Alumni Network Launch at the Trinidad Hilton and Conference Centre, which represents an important next step in promoting a vibrant regional mobile Start Up community.

The hosting of this event in Trinidad and Tobago represented an opportunity to bring the stakeholders in the mobile app development community together, with the aim of building strong networks among entrepreneurs and business development entities, thus contributing to the promotion of the development and enhancement of the mobile app ecosystem.

The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Planning and Development, Ms Joanne Deoraj delivered the feature remarks and stated “The Government welcomes and fully supports this PitchIT Caribbean initiative, recognizing that the key tenets of ICT, Innovation and Entrepreneurship encapsulated in the Project constitute developmental planks that are central to the achievement of economic transformation objectives of Sustainable Growth and Diversification”.

Additionally, she went on to say that “Mobile technology, in particular, offers a potential platform for economic growth and high quality jobs in the mobile industry, while mobile software and apps also have the potential to catalyze other sectors such as healthcare or government. Apps are now being developed at virtually the speed of light. The potential therefore exists through Innovation in ICT to not only build competitiveness, but also create a virtual explosion of entrepreneurial activity in Trinidad and Tobago”.

Ms Golda Lushington, Technologist at CARIRI and Project Lead for the local leg of PitchIT Caribbean stated “with the domestic economy only now beginning to emerge from the grip of recession and economic rightsizing leaving in its wake a contracting job market, CARIRI considers it opportune, and indeed an imperative, to intensify the focus on Innovation and Entrepreneurship on a national scale and across diverse sectors, inclusive of the mobile app development industry. CARIRI has long recognized that the achievement of a diversified, internationally competitive economy is contingent, on according primacy, in the developmental planning agenda to the promotion of Innovation and Entrepreneurship as key drivers of sustainability. Towards this end, the Institute has taken the lead by putting in place pertinent infrastructure and embarking on a number of initiatives to foster innovation facilitation, entrepreneurship development, new business creation and business expansion; all of which form core constituents of our Centre for Enterprise Development, located at Freeport. “

Ms Melissa Johnson, Project Lead at Lumin Consulting Incorporated in Jamaica joined us at the event and expressed her pleasure at the progress that was made by all the regional hubs stating her excitement that the Alumni network was now being formed as it would create new opportunities for these mobile app entrepreneurs.

The evening also saw another first for CARIRI as it launched its first 100% in-house built mobile app for its client, Sookhai’s Diesel Service Ltd (SDS). The CARIRI Data Analytics team has been working with SDS over the last few months to create an integrated customised solution for the Management and clients of the company. This solution included dashboards which generate relevant information for the Management of SDS to make more timely and informed decisions. The next part of the solution includes an app called the SD STAR app for customers; who will now be able to track their vehicles at every point in the service system. This innovative app is the first of its kind in the country and we expect it to change the face of the service industry.

PitchIT Caribbean is designed to strengthen the Caribbean Mobile Innovation Ecosystem and foster the growth of sustainable and competitive mobile enterprises through activities that will target early stage Innovators, and guide them to market readiness. PitchIT Caribbean is administered by a University of the West Indies Consortium led by Lumin Consulting Incorporated in Jamaica, formerly UWI Consulting Incorporated. The project is funded by the Government of Canada and executed by the World Bank Group. It spans 14 Caribbean Community countries, in five of which mobile hubs, referred to as mHubs, have been established under a project partnership arrangement.

The mHub partners of PitchIT Caribbean are all focused on building mobile innovation communities in their respective countries by engaginga variety of local stakeholder groups. CARIRI is the mHub partner in Trinidad and Tobago and plans to further engage the mobile app community via various initiatives in the coming year.

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Ms Joanne Deoraj, The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Planning and Development

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Ms Melissa Johnson, Project Lead at Lumin Consulting Ltd, Jamaica

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Mr Richie Sookhai of Sookhai’s Diesel Service Ltd and Ms Lynette Akong of CARIRI’s Data Analytics discussing the SD STAR App.

 

Bridging the Gap to Commercial Application of Innovation

The Caribbean Industrial Research Institute (CARIRI) has launched a new project which aims to encourage the innovative spirit of the national community. This 3-year project is backed by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and will target the various communities, individuals and companies across Trinidad and Tobago. Aptly called ‘Bridging the Gap to Commercial Application of Innovation’, this project aims to move your idea to reality.

The objectives of the project are:

  • To support individuals and firms in the development and monetisation / commercialization of business innovations;
  • To support local enterprises to apply innovation for increased competitiveness and sustainability.

The project will be executed under CARIRI’s Idea Advisory Service (IAS) which has been operational over the last 2 ½ years and has screened over 300+ ideas thus far. Screening is completely free and so is the advice given. The IAS provides an opportunity to bring your ideas to life and CARIRI’s team has been internationally trained and possess varying backgrounds and capabilities to execute this service locally.

Benefits of the IAS:

  • Idea Generation and sensitization sessions to spur creative thinking and quality ideas;
  • Confidential, independent and objective assessment of ideas submitted;
  • Access to CARIRI resources, networks and strategic partners;
  • IAS Team members provide guidance to applicants from conceptualization to commercialization;
  • Free access to CARIRI’s Intellectual Property Clinic with convenient location and parking at our Centre for Enterprise Development, Freeport;
  • Upon completion of the core IAS programme, applicants receive a Certificate of Participation/Completion;
  • Be part of an elite network of idea generators with opportunity to collaborate with peers

Who is eligible?

  • All citizens of Trinidad and Tobago with the passion, commitment and determination to taking their ideas forward to market;
  • Students and graduates;
  • Working professionals;
  • Transitioning professionals who are interested in leveraging their professional experience to develop and commercialize an innovation in their respective fields;
  • Microenterprises and Small and Medium Enterprises.

For more information on this project and to find out how you can benefit from this free service, please visit our website at www.cedcariri.com/ias or contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call us at 299-0209 ext 2110.

 

IET CONFERENCE - “When will the future arrive? The 4th Industrial Revolution is here.“

This was the theme of the Caribbean Industrial Research Institute's (CARIRI's) mega Conference entitled Innovating with Emerging Technology which was held on Wednesday 18th April at the Hyatt Regency Trinidad.


Chief Executive Officer of CARIRI, Mr Liaquat Ali Shah, gave the Opening remarks and stated 'As part of our strategic approach, we are seeking to contribute to the building of capacity for Innovation on a national scale and position the Institute as a Focal Point for Innovation and Technology, not just nationally, but in the region as a whole. In this context, we have recognized, based on past experience, the imperative of instituting the appropriate infrastructure to develop the areas of Innovation and ICT, as part of our capacity building efforts. Our approach, I should hasten to add, takes cognizance of the importance of establishing a platform for sustainable economic transformation over the medium to long term, as an integral part of the diversification thrust.'

The sold out event saw the Minister of Trade and Industry, the Honorable Paula Gopee Scoon deliver the Feature Address in which she reiterated the government's commitment to diversify the economy, and this includes strengthening the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector.


As part of the thrust to include technology in every aspect of our lives, and to showcase how small the world has become with this technology, CARIRI was able to set up a live stream to the Embassy in Washington D.C., U.S.A. for members of the Diaspora. Additionally, His Excellency Brigadier General (Ret'd) Anthony Phillips-Spencer, Ambassador of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago brought greetings to the audience here in Trinidad.


CARIRI was able to secure internationally recognized speakers in various areas of the 4th Industrial Revolution and the day started off with a bang as Professor Anthony Clayton of UWI Mona, Jamaica was able to speak in depth about Artificial Intelligence and Robotics. Right after this, Mr Nelson Mac Quhae, Chief Technical Officer at Microsoft LATAM spoke about the Internet of Things and how we can expect to communicate in the future. The Intellectual Property Office of Trinidad and Tobago then presented on the role of intellectual property in the future.


Ms Thelma Britton, the Senior Operations and Logistics Manager for Panama and the Caribbean of UBER gave wonderful insight into the operations of her company in T&T and the Caribbean and then was able to speak to the future of urban mobility. Daniel Poliquin of IBM Corporation in Canada discussed at length smarter cities and how we can go about shaping the region. Marla Dukharan, Caribbean Economist brought home the point of e-Government and Digital settlement networks and the day wrapped up with Dave Landry, co-founder of Datawheel which is a spin off of MIT, Boston.


After such a full day, participants were well informed and had the chance to interact with the speakers via an application in which they could ask their questions via their mobile devices, once again incorporating technology into the Conference.


Our region stands on the threshold of a technological revolution that will essentially alter the way we live, work, and relate to one another. In its scale, scope, and complexity, this transformation, which has been taking place for a while, will be unlike anything that we have experienced before. Although we do not yet know just how it will unfold, one thing is clear: our response to it must be integrated and all-inclusive, involving all stakeholders from the public and private sectors to academia and civil society.


Cognizant of the anticipated transformative impact of this technological development, and mindful of the need for an integrated and all-inclusive response, involving all stakeholders from the public and private sectors, as well as academia and civil society, CARIRI wanted to bring the spotlight to bear on this potentially disruptive development. At the end of the Conference, it is clear that CARIRI was able to achieve its goal.

CARIRI celebrates World Book Day with the Launch of "My Tropical ABCs"

The Caribbean Industrial Research Institute (CARIRI), in collaboration with Kidavo Creations, celebrated World Book Day 2018 on Monday 23rd April 2018 with the launch of "My Tropical ABCs" at its Centre for Enterprise Development (CED), Innovation Avenue, Freeport. One facet of the Centre is the Idea Advisory Service (IAS) which is an initiative geared towards assisting persons with taking their idea to market.


CARIRI's IAS forms part of the Institute's thrust to build capacity for Innovation on a national scale, and thereby contribute more substantively to the achievement of Government's stated developmental goal of economic diversification. Misty Hamid, owner of Kidavo Creations and author of My Tropical ABCs, is one of CARIRI's prominent Idea Advisory Service clients.


My Tropical ABCs is a fun and innovative book designed to educate children on indigenous foods by matching the fruit names with letters of the alphabet. It is specially designed to reach young children at the early stages of language and reading development, and gives parents/guardians the opportunity to sit and spend quality time with their children who are attracted to easy-to-read books, with vivid colours and illustrations.


A survey of the current market revealed that there are no books designed to teach children about tropical fruits. Trinidad and Tobago's children are, for the most part, unfamiliar with the large variety of local flora and fauna available to them. My Tropical ABCs aims to instill a greater love and appreciation for our local culture through an educational medium that is appealing both to young people and adults.


The alphabet is the foundation of language and is essential for a child's growth and development. Researchers and educators agree that beginning readers experience more success in reading when they can associate letters to words within their familial environment. Educating the youth on our indigenous fruits is also an integral step towards promoting an "Eat Local, Support Local lifestyle."


The launch was well attended by persons from diverse backgrounds such as local bookstores, various Government Ministries and both primary and secondary schools. The launch kicked off with a pan rendition of the national anthem by Mr. Brian Benoit of Benoit Academy of Steel Pan.


CARIRI's Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Liaquat Ali Shah, in his opening remarks, welcomed everyone to CARIRI's CED which he described as a National Innovation Hub and a Regional Technology Transfer Centre which is the only one of its kind in the Caribbean. He went on to quote Michael Jordan's famous line "I believe I can fly" and encouraged attendees to believe in their dreams. He stated dreams act as the catalyst for innovation and change in this world and persons must hold strong and fast against detractors.


In closing, Mr. Shah challenged the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries to invest in providing plants and seedlings of the various local fruits featured in My Tropical ABCs. This exercise, he explained, would result in indigenous fruits with local names being made available to the local population and tourists; which is integral to promoting an "Eat Local, Support Local lifestyle. He commended Misty for her courage and the Ministry of Education for their support.


Honourable Senator, Avinash Singh, Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture Land and Fisheries (MALF) started off his remarks by commending Misty Hamid, the author of My Tropical ABCs, on creating a book that in his childhood would have been extremely helpful in his quest for learning about our local fruits and fueling his passion for Agriculture. He responded to Mr. Shah's challenge by agreeing that it is the responsibility of the MALF to bolster the efforts of the research division and increase the supply of information to the population.


Mr. Singh believes that, as in the case of the Steel Pan, My Tropical ABCs, which showcases our indigenous fruits, could become a hallmark of our country and that as a nation we should be proud to say we created this publication. He closed off by asking the representatives of the Ministry to work towards supplying every school in Trinidad and Tobago with a copy of My Tropical ABCs.


Ms. Karen Ramdahin- Nandaram, Curriculum Officer- Agricultural Science from the Ministry of Education in her feature address stated, "The launch of this book is a sign of maturity when we as a people can provide resource material that is nested in our Caribbean identity. I commend CARIRI for providing an avenue where persons can see their ideas or prototypes become income generating realities. The Idea Advisory Service is in sync with the Ministry's thrust towards innovation, creativity and idea generation, and is integral to stepping away from oil and gas to become an intellectual and knowledge based society. In closing, a wise man once told me while pointing to the library that all the knowledge is in there. I encourage everyone present here today to go read a book!"


Ms. Hamid spoke of her sons as her inspiration when teaching them their ABCs. She conveyed her dissatisfaction with teaching them "A for Apple" instead of one of our tropical fruits grown on our beautiful island. Misty spoke of hearing her inner voice saying, "Why don't you write a local ABC book?" She dismissed the idea at the time and said to herself, "What do I know about writing books?" The idea however was not done with Misty and over time she would start doodling or jotting ideas until one day she was introduced to the illustrator of her book, Jason Alfred, who began drafting sketches on which she would ask her children for feedback.


Eventually, she reached an impasse where she had this amazing idea but no clue of how to conceptualize and turn it into a reality. She came across a Facebook advertisement on CARIRI's Idea Advisory Service and decided to give them a call. She told the audience "Never be afraid or ashamed to ask for help. Don't feel as an entrepreneur that you have to make this journey alone! CARIRI's IAS Team has provided me with the tools to cultivate my idea and has shown me that entrepreneurship is a way of life. CARIRI's IAS Team is highly skilled and professional with a true passion for cultivating innovation and supporting ideas. Their network of connections has opened doors for me to connect with stakeholders such as the Intellectual Property Office (IPO), Ministry of Education and fellow entrepreneurs who have shared their journey and provided much needed support and guidance."


Misty's advice for entrepreneurs is, "Write down your idea so it moves from a thought to paper, connect with the right people and most importantly, pray. Don't allow yourself to get stuck in your comfort zone, push yourself beyond your limits and allow yourself to grow."


Ms. Melissa Bissoondath, Business Development Officer at CARIRI, spoke about Misty's journey with CARIRI and how the Idea Advisory Service assisted her through the following steps in making her dream a reality:

1. Submission of the idea to CARIRI in 2016, which was recognized for its innovativeness and potential based on the incorporation of color, spelling and syllabication, which, combined with the realistic illustration of the book, was testament to the novelty of the book.
2. After the novelty was determined, the market demand was evaluated and findings revealed that books are still considered to be the best method to educate children about tropical fruits and the majority of interviewees would support a book that educates children on tropical fruits.
3. The market research validated that there was a market demand and proof of business which allowed Misty to set up her business
4. An integral step was to ensure protect Misty's Intellectual Property. Ms. Steffi Mohammed, Trademarking Systems Specialist of the IP Office, in her presentation, explained how they worked with Misty in helping her with trademarking her logo, as well as copyrighting the book.
5. Developing a prototype in the form of a picture book which was refined through feedback from the Ministry of Education
6. Finally, Misty was ready to commercialize and turn her dream into the reality that is My Tropical ABCs

Melissa closed by saying, "Everyone has the ability to create innovative ideas regardless of their skill set or job level."

CARIRI would like to remind the public about its diverse service offerings, not only in the area of analytical services, but also in the areas of Research, Development and Innovation, with particular focus on its programme geared towards entrepreneurship development and business creation through its CED. The Idea Advisory Service represents one such programme.
If you have an idea and would like assistance from CARIRI's Idea Advisory Service, contact them at:

CARIRI's Centre for Enterprise Development
Innovation Avenue, Freeport
Tel: (868) 299-0210 ext. 2210
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Website: www.cedcariri.com

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Honourable Senator, Avinash Singh, Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture Land and Fisheries during his remarks

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Ms. Karen Ramdahin- Nandaram, Curriculum Officer- Agricultural Science from the Ministry of Education

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Misty Hamid, Author of My Tropical ABCs signing copies for attendees

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