President Jagdeo attends launch of world-class Biomaterials Research Programme at Trent University

'TRENT UNIVERSITY LAB TOUR': President Bharrat Jagdeo listens attentively to Guyanese-born Research Scientist Dr. Suresh Narine (right) during a guided tour of the laboratories at the prestigious Trent University in Canada – which will be used to develop new biomaterials, bio-chemicals and bio-products from natural oils. Also in photo are Guyana’s Consul General in Toronto Mr. Danny Doobay (third right) and Head of Guyana’s Private Sector Commission Captain Gerry Gouveia (left).


President Bharrat Jagdeo yesterday attended the official launch of the Centre of Knowledge in the Environment at Trent University in Canada, a function that featured celebratory funding announcements for the creation of a new world-class Trent Biomaterials Research Programme to be led by Canadian-based Guyanese Dr. Suresh Narine, a pioneer and leader in this emerging field.

'TRENT VISIT': President Bharrat Jagdeo and Guyanese-born Canadian-based Research Scientist Dr. Suresh Sugrim during a guided tour at Trent University in Canada yesterday. (Mark Ramotar photo)

The groundbreaking laboratory and research programme at the prestigious Trent University in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada will focus on the utilisation of plant oils (lipids) to create new biomaterials.

“Our research offers an alternative solution – to employ agriculture (fats and oils) to create renewable feed stocks that then can be converted using science to create materials more environmentally benign and more in sync with the natural carbon cycle to abate and combat climate change,” said Dr. Narine, who was recruited to Trent from the University of Alberta – another Canadian university.

“On behalf of my team of researchers and Trent University, I would like to offer our deep appreciation to all of our generous founding partners and funders for their financial commitment that will place Trent’s Biomaterials Research Programme among one of the top facilities of its kind in the world,” Dr. Narine stated.

President Jagdeo, in concluding remarks at the launching ceremony yesterday morning, lauded the Trent University - especially Dr. Narine for his dedication, commitment and vision - and extend congratulations and best wishes to him and his highly talented multi-ethnic and multi-cultural team of researchers (Organic Chemists, Materials Physicists, and Polymer Chemists) working on the biomaterials programme.

Mr. Jagdeo also recalled how extremely pleased he was when, a few years ago, Dr. Narine returned to Guyana to serve as the Executive Director of Guyana’s Institute of Applied Science and Technology (IAST), where he managed to, in a short time, infused enthusiasm and hope in that Institute.

The Guyanese head of state, who is currently on a brief visit to Canada where he has been invited to – among other things - deliver lectures and make keynote addresses at three Canadian Universities (Trent - last evening, and York and University of Toronto - today) as part of his internationally-recognised and committed efforts to drum-up support for the fight against climate change, spent the entire day at the sprawling and scenic campus at Trent.

Noting how pleased he was to have been invited by the University to attend, participate and share in this special day, Mr. Jagdeo said the University can take a lead role in helping to find urgent solutions to globally catastrophic problems we are expected to face in the very near future, and some of which we are already facing at the moment.

President Jagdeo, accompanied by Guyana’s Consul General in Toronto Mr. Danny Doobay and Head of Guyana’s Private Sector Commission Captain Gerry Gouveia, were among those given a guided tour of the laboratories – which will be used to develop new biomaterials, bio-chemicals and bio-products from natural oils.