PRESS RELEASE Change the Game in Your Favor!
The Caribbean Industrial Research Institute (CARIRI) in collaboration with the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB) has launched an AR/VR Challenge for the month of November. Given the restrictions imposed due to COVID-19, the demand for Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) solutions are likely to increase. This Challenge was devised in order to generate more interest in this technology locally.
Augmented reality (AR) is an interactive experience of a real-world environment where the objects that reside in the real world are enhanced by computer-generated perceptual information, sometimes across multiple sensory modalities. AR can be defined as a system that fulfills three basic features: a combination of real and virtual worlds, real-time interaction, and accurate 3D registration of virtual and real objects.
Virtual reality (VR) is a simulated experience that can be similar to or completely different from the real world. Applications of virtual reality can include entertainment (i.e. video games) and educational purposes (i.e. medical or military training).
CARIRI is asking participants to showcase their vision for Trinidad and Tobago, the region or even the world by creating a novel AR/VR solution. The Challenge will display our local talent in the creation of an AR/VR solution that can be used in any field or sector, including but not limited to entertainment, sports, education, tourism, agriculture, communication, etc.
This Challenge aims to celebrate the innovative and creative spirit of our people and to bring an AR/VR solution to reality. Participants can win up to TT$40,000.00 to complete their AR/VR solution. This competition provides future leaders the opportunity to use emerging technologies, showcase their vision for the future, and gain professional exposure while commercializing their idea. Solutions can be either AR or VR or a combination of both which would be mixed reality or extended reality (XR).
The Challenge is open to any citizen of Trinidad and Tobago over the age of 18 years. Entrants should have experience using or a general interest in AR/VR, XR, or other emerging and immersive technologies. They should also have the passion, energy and drive to see their idea become a reality. The AR/VR Challenge is an opportunity to get involved, showcase an idea, make a name for themselves in the local AR/VR community and even commercialize the idea (which means either starting a business or licensing the idea). Participants will have the opportunity to see their idea come to life, gain some media exposure to kick start their career and make valuable beneficial connections. But most importantly, this idea could change the world!
AMCHAM Trinidad and Tobago, Ramps Logistics and Avasant have also partnered with CARIRI to encourage participation and make this initiative a success.
Our flyers are attached to this email and more information can be found on the website www.cariri.com/Challenge. The deadline for submissions is Monday 30th November 2020 at 11:59pm.
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Flyer for the CARIRI AR/VR Challenge
2nd Flyer for the CARIRI AR/VR Challenge
On Wednesday 20th February, 2019, The Caribbean Industrial Research Institute (CARIRI) and the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) signed a General Technical Cooperation Agreement at CARIRI’s Head Office in St. Augustine.
Cognizant of their key roles and responsibilities in the overall development of the region; this agreement seeks to provide a unique environment for collaborative efforts on agribusiness development, inclusive of value chain and cluster development; food safety; technology transfer; innovative capacity building; data analytics and productivity and competitiveness of the agricultural sector in Trinidad and Tobago and the wider Caribbean.
Both institutions have a long and mutually beneficial relationship working on many regional projects together and with the formalizing of this relationship, both parties expect to continue and strengthen this affiliation.
Signing the Agreement on behalf of CARIRI, Mr. Meghnath Gosein, Executive Manager – Corporate Services, stated that CARIRI was ready to work with IICA to fast track and promote the agribusiness sector, ‘It is timely and a privilege, since the institutional working relationship has existed for over a decade throughout the Region and hence the Agreement will serve to strengthen this relationship and ensure that it continues for a long time for the benefit of the economy’ he added. Echoing this sentiment, Mr. Gregg Rawlins, IICA’s Representative in Trinidad and Tobago said that “formalizing this association will ensure that more structure is put in place as we move forward and the skills and competencies of both institutions will complement each other, as we work towards strengthening agri MSMEs, not just in Trinidad and Tobago, but in other countries of the Caribbean Region as well’.
CARIRI’s mission is to be a national and regional focal point for technology and innovation, playing a leadership role in providing value added technological solutions to the manufacturing and service sectors, as well as public sector entities, designed to enhance efficiency, competitiveness and visibility, foster new business creation, improve the quality of life and promote sustainable economic development. These services will complement and enhance IICA’s technical cooperation in the areas of Bioeconomy and Production Development, Territorial Development and Family Farming, International Trade and Regional Integration, Climate Change Natural Resources and Management of Production Risks, and Agricultural Health, Safety and Food Quality. With the signing of this Agreement, CARIRI and IICA are well positioned to share and learn from each other as well as to offer technical assistance for the well being of the region.
It is with this in mind that there are plans and discussions for collaborative ventures between both organizations which will ultimately benefit the agricultural sector in the region. Both institutions are looking forward to great, meaningful and practical work that will benefit the agriculture sector in general, and specifically the farmers and agro-processors.
Mr Meghnath Gosein (l) of CARIRI and Mr Gregg Rawlins of IICA signing the Agreement
Mr Gosein (l) and Mr Rawlins looking forward to future collaborations between CARIRI and IICA
