Golding

Prime Minister Bruce Golding has challenged the academic community to move away from research for purely academic purposes and focus on ways that will make an impact on how we do things.

Addressing students and members of the public at the fourth annual research day at The Mico University College yesterday, the prime minister said the country needs to find new ways of doing old things and "knowledge is the vehicle" to take us into the future and "Mico is the driver".

Although not a past student of Mico, Golding is genetically connected to the institution as his father Tacius attended the 173-year-old institution in the early 1920s.

The prime minister also recognised and commended Mico for its long history, rich tradition of excellent service to Jamaica and the region. He, however, warned that this was not the time for relaxation as the world has changed significantly since Mico's formation. "There is excitement in newness, but we must appreciate the great traditions and strive to maintain and enhance these traditions," Golding said.

Regarding the various research institutions in Jamaica, the prime minister said that starting April, he would be looking at combining all research entities with institutions of learning.

"I believe that through research we can achieve as much and even more than other countries," said Nickel Blake, a second-year student who specialises in reading and social studies. "The prime minister's presentation has inspired me to work much harder to make a better contribution to the effort," she said.

- Milton Edwards