KINGSTON, Jamaica: Grenadian Prime Minister, Dr. Keith Mitchell has said that global changes had demonstrated that science and technology and innovation had become central to improving the economic performance of the region as well as the social well being of its people. Dr. Mitchell was delivering the keynote address at the University of the West Indies' 'Research Day' activities at the Mona campus in Kingston under the theme "Science Technology and Innovation." He called for greater networking and strategic alliances between Caribbean Governments and the University of the West Indies and emphasized the importance of putting in place the necessary policies and infrastructure to be able to cope in the global environment. He pointed also to the need for governments to ensure that its citizens were able to utilize such policies and infrastructures for their personal advancement. Dr. Mitchell who has responsibility for Science and Technology in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) said: "There is a need in the region to modify our approach to science and technology and the UWI should take the lead. I see a greater role for the UWI, our national colleges and other tertiary institutions in our region to take more responsibility in educating our people in this regard." He stressed that this must be done in collaboration with governments, the private sector and other social groups. Continuing, he declared that the UWI was to take advantage of its position and "take the lead in creating a University without walls to ensure a deeper understanding of the impact of science and technology on daily lives." In addition, Dr. Mitchell said Governments should also become the facilitators in allowing businesses and consumers to adapt to the opportunities of the global community. This, he noted, was necessary despite the "remarkable economic achievement of many countries in the region," as "enormous challenges remain for governments in the development of science and technology and the fostering of innovation." He pointed out that it was now necessary to move beyond the historical socio-economic evaluations rooted in the past whereby the region's economic stability relied heavily on agricultural production and the advantages from preferential trade arrangements linked to its colonial past. Today, he stressed, industries relied on science, technology and innovation, and as such further advances must be made in the areas of scientific research if the region was to secure a place in an age driven by technology. Reprinted from Caribbean Net News caribbeannetnews.com