IAST Inventions proving Guyana’s ideas relevant for world of tomorrow

Nov 08, 2018 News

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By Kiana Wilburg

With a lucrative oil and gas industry on the way, the coalition Government has been steadfast in its efforts to advance the concept of a green economy. In keeping with this approach, the Institute of Applied Science and Technology (IAST) has been churning out one invention after the other, all of which prove that Guyana’s ideas are indeed relevant to the world of tomorrow.
In fact, some of the notable achievements of the IAST were on display at the Green Exposition which was recently held at the National Stadium, Providence.
During an interview with Kaieteur News, IAST Head, Professor Suresh Narine, said he was thrilled that the technologies being pursued by the Institute which seek to generate sustainable growth through the application of Science and Technology were able to headline the Green Expo.
He said, “It allowed us to demonstrate that ‘Made-in-Guyana’ solutions are very relevant to sustainable industries. I believe it provides us the assurance that we can chart our own future with confidence, that Guyanese ideas are very relevant to the world of tomorrow.”
Although there are some 18 different technologies and products at various stages of development at the IAST, Dr. Narine said that at the Expo, focus was given to only a subset of the Institute’s inventions.
Professor Narine said that the Institute provided attendees with a snapshot of its work with food products. These included the Pakaraima Flavours Sundried Tomato products and the Morning Glory Rice, a breakfast based cereal.
He reminded that the Institute also launched a new nutraceutical product – SAK–under the Kaieteur Nutraceuticals brand.
And that’s not all. Professor Narine said that IAST was proud to display robust, ‘Made-in-Guyana’ technology for improving gold mining efficiency without using mercury.
The IAST Director said, “We also had on display, robust, at scale technology to utilize wood and agricultural waste as energy as well as the utilization of wood and agricultural waste in the production of composites of these materials with plastics to produce roofing shingles.
“We also showcased our work on biodiesel produced from waste vegetable oils from the restaurant industry. Our work with the Makushi’s of Region Nine was showcased through the luxury cosmetic facial cleanser – Rupununi Essence.”
The accomplished scientist added, “We also demonstrated a series of essential oils that can be extracted using green methods from Guyana’s botanicals – representing a potential for high value markets from crops that are sustainable.
“As the main attraction at the Expo, we were thrilled with the number of Guyanese and foreign attendees who stopped by to tell us how impressed they were with our work. I know that my staff is very pleased with the compliments they received on their work and this in turn motivates them to continue their important efforts.”
Dr. Narine said that the Green Expo initiative is certainly one that he and the institute would support again, as it turned out to be a very positive experience.
The Professor noted, however, that there are too many expos in Guyana.
In this regard, he commented that the various organizations mounting these need to collaborate on events, or “we face the very real possibility of chronic fatigue of the people participating.”
So far, Professor Narine said that IAST has participated in nine major expos this year. He said, “That is probably seven expos too many. There is no time to actually do work if scientific staff are spending all their time at expos or preparing for expos. I am therefore hopeful that others will amalgamate with the Green Expo so that we reduce the number of expos in the country.”
Professor Narine said that he was thrilled to learn that Guyana has articulated and will pursue a Green development agenda.
The world renowned scientist said that with the advent of an oil and gas industry, the country has a unique window of opportunity to utilize capital from this non-sustainable industry to capitalize robust sustainable industries in agriculture, agro-processing, eco-tourism, information technology, water based technologies and the knowledge-based economy.
Dr. Narine said, “In this, I feel that the leadership the country demonstrated with its Low Carbon Development Strategy is being taken to the next level by the earmarking of our own capital to sustainable industries, as we pursue the Green State Development Strategy.”
Despite the fact that these two strategies are coming from quite separate political administrations, Professor Narine said that Guyanese, and in particular future generations, will be the beneficiaries of this congruency in approach.

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