Faculty of Science and Technology (FST) Innovation (FINO) Award 

The FST Innovation (FINO) Award celebrates outstanding, creative and unconventional projects or initiatives developed by students within the Faculty of Science and Technology (FST) at The UWI Cave Hill Campus. This prestigious award recognizes innovative thinking that pushes boundaries and offers practical solutions through science and technology.

Award Objectives:

• Promote the Faculty’s Science for ALL philosophy by making science accessible and relevant.

• Encourage the application of the applied sciences to real-world challenges.

• Foster the development of leadership skills and collaborative innovation.

• Inspire creative, connected and out-of-the-box thinking.

• Break down stigma and fear around diverse approaches - embracing the motto: “Dare to be Different”.

• Motivate students to use science and technology to tackle local and community problems.

• Celebrate diversity by leveraging the unique talents and perspectives of individuals across society.

• Encourage cross-departmental and cross-faculty collaboration.

What Qualifies as Innovation?

• A unique solution to a laboratory, course or research challenge.

• Innovative approaches to problems encountered in classes or tutorials.

• Creative solutions applied at external sites such as field trips, home, charities, or communities.

All innovations must be based on STEM disciplines (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) and be verifiable - proof of implementation by the student is required.

Innovation may involve an entirely new approach or a novel application of a known solution in an unexpected context.

Awards and Recognition

• The winner will receive BDS$500.00 (cash or vouchers), depending on whether they are currently enrolled or have recently graduated.

• The recipient’s name will be engraved on a plaque displayed in the FST Faculty Office and featured prominently across the Faculty’s media channels.

• A special category recognizes innovations that improve the lives of persons with disabilities, with a prize of BDS$300.00 (cash or vouchers).

Award Rules and Submission Guidelines

1. One award is presented annually.

2. Eligible participants include individuals or groups; no group size limit.

3. Group submissions must have a unique name.

4. At least one member must be enrolled in an FST programme and serve as the primary contributor and leader.

5. Lead participants must be current undergraduate or postgraduate students enrolled in a full degree, diploma or certificate programme (short courses excluded).

6. Graduates who completed their programme during the current academic year are eligible.

7. Private sector submissions are accepted only if linked to an FST internship or professional course.

8. Submissions may be in text, audio, and/or video format but must include visual evidence for verification.

9. Send all submissions to fst@cavehill.uwi.edu, copied to lisa-ann.rollins@cavehill.uwi.edu.

10. Submissions must originate from a valid mycavehill.uwi.edu email address; others will be rejected.

11. All submissions must include the completed FST Innovation Award Submission Form available at: https://forms.office.com/r/xW3ZuFDy4N.