The CADSTI-CSF model is designed to tap the diverse and dispersed resources and talent in science, engineering, and business resident in the Diaspora for the economic and social development of the Caribbean. CADSTI is a collection of science, engineering and business experts and professionals who are dedicated to giving back to the Region. CADSTI has its headquarters in the Boston area, but it is organized as branches in key geographic Diaspora locations. Branches exist in the UK, New England, the US Southeast and the US Mid-Atlantic Region. Branches in Canada, Silicon Valley and New-York-New-Jersey are scheduled to open in 2014. CADSTI formed the Caribbean Science Foundation (CSF) in 2010 to implement its mission on the ground in the Caribbean Region. The CADSTI-CSF model is illustrated below.
A summary of the World Bank study can be found in this Caribbean 360 article, whereas the original study can be found at
At just about the same time, another World Bank study warns of the “Chronic shortage of innovation” in the Caribbean HERE.
Caribbean Science Foundation (CSF)
The CSF is a non-profit, non-governmental organization that is Diaspora driven, and has its headquarters on the Cave Hill campus of the University of the West Indies. Its overall long-term mission is to help the Region create more high-paying technology-based jobs, and earn more foreign exchange by developing and exporting more technology-based products and services. The CSF achieves its goals by:
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(a) Promoting Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education reform in the Region
(b) Stimulating technology-based entrepreneurship with the injection of seed funding (on a competitive basis) into science and technology projects within new and existing small enterprises
(c) Tapping into CADSTI’s extensive database of scientists, engineers and technology leaders in the Diaspora (in virtually every technology area) for advice and expertise, and to help establish collaborations between entities in the Region and the Diaspora.
Regarding the promotion of STEM education reform, the CSF runs two STEM educational initiatives: (1) the Student Program for Innovation in Science and Engineering (SPISE), and (2) The Sagicor Visionaries Challenge.
SPISE is an intensive four-week enrichment residential summer program for gifted Caribbean high-school students who are interested in studying and exploring careers in science and engineering. The goal is to help address the low numbers of Caribbean students pursuing advanced degrees in science and engineering, and to groom the next generation of technology leaders in the Region. SPISE provides a learning environment in which understanding the concepts and fundamental principles is reinforced over and above rote learning. Further, critical thinking and analytical and logical problem-solving approaches are emphasized in order to find solutions to complex problems that may not have been encountered before. Teamwork is yet another essential component of the SPISE experience, as are applying efficient study habits and time-management skills. SPISE students study calculus, physics, biochemistry, Mandarin, one Caribbean concept and entrepreneurship. In addition, they undertake hands-on, experimental innovative projects in robotics, computer programming and electronics (see http://caribbeanscience.org/projects/spise.php)
In the Sagicor Visionaries Challenge, Caribbean high school students work in teams with teachers to develop innovative solutions to problems in their schools or communities using STEM. Sagicor provides all the funding for the competition at both the national and regional levels, while CSF provides the academic content, the mentors and the judges (see http://sagicorvisionaries.org/site/).