Dr. Hollis Charles Elected as Honorary Member of WAITRO

Founding member and former President of the World Association of Industrial and Technological Research Organizations (WAITRO) as well as former CEO of the Caribbean Industrial Research Institute (CARIRI), Dr. Hollis Charles, has been elected as an Honorary Member of WAITRO. This prestigious recognition was announced at the recently concluded 27th General Assembly of WAITRO held in Nanjing, China.

Dr. Charles’ selection marks only the second time in WAITRO’s history that such an honor has been bestowed, underscoring the significant contributions he has made to advancing industrial and technological research in the region and globally.

The formal presentation of this award took place on November 26th, 2024, at CARIRI’s headquarters on the University of the West Indies (UWI) Campus in St. Augustine. The award was presented by Mr. Hans-Erich Schulz, WAITRO’s 1st Vice-President and CARIRI’s current CEO.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Schulz lauded Dr. Charles for his visionary leadership at both WAITRO and CARIRI, his commitment to innovation, and his steadfast dedication to fostering collaboration between research organizations worldwide. “Dr. Charles has left an indelible mark on both CARIRI and WAITRO. This recognition by WAITRO and its members is a testament to his unwavering dedication to the global research community,” Schulz remarked.

In response, Dr. Charles expressed his gratitude, noting that the honor reflects the collective efforts of WAITRO and its members in driving impactful innovation around the world. “This moment reaffirms the value of collaboration and the role research organizations like CARIRI play in shaping a better future for our communities,” Dr. Charles said.

CARIRI continues to be a vital force in innovation and research in the Caribbean, actively contributing to WAITRO’s global mission of advancing sustainable development through technology and innovation.