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CADSTI History

The CADSTI grew out of the recommendations of a CARICOM-sponsored meeting entitled “Harnessing Science and Technology for Caribbean Development” that was held in Trinidad and Tobago in May, 2006.

Official Launch of CADSTI

The entity that became CADSTI was first launched as the Caribbean Diaspora Association of Scientists, Technologists and Entrepreneurs on September 30, 2008 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Port of Spain by the Honorable F. Jeffrey, Minister of State in the Ministry of Science and Technology and Tertiary Education of Trinidad and Tobago. Among those present at the launching, organized by CARISCIENCE jointly with the Ministry of Science and Technology and Tertiary Education were :

  • Prof. Walter Erdelen, Assistant Director General (Natural Science) UNESCO
  • Mr. Navin Chandarpal, Adviser to His Excellency, Bharrat Jagdeo, President of Guyana
  • Dr. Arnoldo Ventura, Adviser to Prime Minister of Jamaica
  • Mr. E. Leopold Edwards, Secretary, National Coalition on Caribbean Affairs Inc.

In his Keynote Address at the launch, The Honorable F. Jeffrey lauded this effort which would galvanize the tremendous resources of the Diaspora in a structured manner so that it can play a major role in Caribbean integration and development. Prof. Cardinal Warde, Professor in Electrical Engineering at the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology was installed as the President.

Other Executive members installed were :

  • Prof. Cardinal Warde – President
  • Prof. Baldwin Mootoo – Vice-President, Caribbean
  • Dr. Basil Burke – Vice-President, U.S.A
  • Prof. Suresh Narine – Vice-President, Canada
  • Dr. Brian Tom – Vice-President, U.K.
  • Prof. Harold Ramkissoon – Vice-President & Ambassador-at-Large
  • Prof. John-Paul Clarke – Secretary & Treasurer
  • Prof. Maya Trotz – Youth Committee Chair
  • Mr. Ravi Ramkissoon – Information & Communication officer

Below are links to the CADSTI Launch Programme and two articles from the press describing the launch.

Name Change

In December, 2008 the decision was made to change the name of the organization to the Caribbean Diaspora for Science, Technology & Innovation (CADSTI) and shortly afterwards the organization was temporarily registered as a Barbados company. Later, CADSTI terminated its Barbados registration and in February 2011, CADSTI restarted as a new company registered in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, USA, so as to have its home in the Diaspora where it rightfully belongs.

Caribbean Science Foundation Launched by CADSTI

A proposal from CADSTI suggested the formation of the CSF and that the CSF should be an independent semi?autonomous agency, employing a lean, agile and accountable structure responsive to regional needs. The proposal further stated administrative budget should be small and benchmarked to international standards so that the bulk of its operating funds are available to support STI projects. The proposed mission, major roles and responsibilities, activities, areas of focus, organizational structure, performance assessment, and the funding and sustainability mechanisms of the CSF were covered in the proposal.

On September 21, 2010, the Caribbean Diaspora for Science Technology and Innovation (CADSTI) led by its President, Dr. Cardinal Warde, Professor of Electrical Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, launched the Caribbean Science Foundation (CSF) in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago with the assistance of CARISCIENCE. Senator, The Hon. Fazal Karim, Minister of Science, Technology and Tertiary Education in the Government of Trinidad and Tobago gave the Keynote Address and launched the CSF on behalf of Prime Minister Kamla Persad?Bissessar who was attending the United Nations Millennium Summit in New York.

Below are links to the CADSTI proposal to establish the CSF, and the press release announcing the launch of the CSF.
Proposal for the establishment of the CSF
Official Press Release announcing the Launch of the CSF

The Website of the CSF is http://caribbeanscience.org and its three-year strategic plan at inception can be found at here.