PM Philip J Pierre receives first struck medal Cato T. Laurencin Regenerative Engineering Founder's Award
PM Philip J Pierre receives first struck medal Cato T. Laurencin Regenerative Engineering Founder's Award || Picture Courtesy: Philip J Pierre

Castries, Saint Lucia: Prime Minister of the Caribbean country of Saint Lucia, Philip J Pierre, expressed his gratitude on receiving the Cato T Laurencin Regenerative Engineering Founder’s Award from the professor of the University of Connecticut. PM Pierre noted, “I am indeed honoured to receive the first struck medal Cato T Laurencin Regenerative Engineering Founder’s Award bestowed by Dr Cato T Laurencin, a Professor of the University of Connecticut.”

He furthermore anticipated that he would look forward to Dr Laurencin’s continued contribution to Saint Lucia and encourage more Saint Lucians in the Diaspora to contribute to the growth and development of the country positively.

The University of Connecticut Professor and CEO of the Connecticut Convergence Institute at UConn Health, Cato T Laurencin, was on an official trip to the country from January 18 to 22. The minister met the Prime Minister of Saint Lucia, Philip J Pierre. The American Institute of Chemical Engineers recently granted the Cato T Laurencin Regenerative Engineering Founder’s Award.

The official website of the organisation informed, “Laurencin had the honour of bestowing the first struck medal upon PM Philip J Pierre, in honorary recognition of his help of regenerative engineering in the country.”

During the recent trip, he also participated in the 30th annual Nobel Laureate Festival, which celebrated Sir Arthur Lewis and Sir Derek Walcott. He was selected to lay the official wreath at the tomb of the Saint Lucian poet and Nobel Laureate Derek Walcott, according to the update shared. In addition, he toured Sir Arthur Lewis’ tomb site. He was accompanied by Sir Arthur Lewis’ nephew, Sir Vaughan Lewis.

Finally, he met with officials in the country on the highly successful UConn JUMP Saint Lucia Program to encourage and educate Saint Lucian communities on healthy eating and exercise. “The initiative has now witnessed success to be a grassroots program for Saint Lucians by Saint Lucians,” Laurencin noted.

The program serves as a centrepiece of a cooperative agreement between UConn and Saint Lucia.