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The University of the West Indies' (UWI) Department of Behavioural Sciences has signed a research and innovation partnership agreement with the TT Chamber of Industry and Commerce (TTCIC), which it said signalled a new era of collaboration between the academic and private sectors.

A UWI release on July 31 said the recent signing in late June is designed to close that gap between academia and business by fostering purposeful university-industry collaboration, moving from co-designed research to enterprise development. It said the agreement establishes a framework for long-term cooperation in several key areas, including applied research, commercialisation of academic findings, innovation incubation, technical training and student-industry engagement.

It also emphasises the importance of evidence-based policymaking and enterprise competitiveness in a rapidly evolving global economy. It is expected to unlock new opportunities for cross-sector innovation, empower students through experiential learning, and foster a culture of co-creation that is essential for sustainable economic growth.