Barnett leaves SRC

Dr Audia Barnett has resigned as executive director of the Scientific Research Council (SRC), effective month end.

A statement from the SRC said Barnett will be taking up an overseas assignment.

The SRC stressed that Barnett's resignation was unrelated to the recent departure of the council's former chairman, James Moss-Solomon.

Moss-Solomon resigned last week, indicating a need for a higher standard of political leadership.

Barnett, who held the position of executive director for more than eight years, tendered her resignation last month. The SRC said she served the council with great distinction during her tenure at the agency.

The council said some of the SRC's major achievements under her stewardship include ISO 9001:2008 certification; spearheading of the lemon-grass initiative; and the launch of the Caribbean Information Platform on Renewable Energy.

Hawthorne Watson, manager of information services at the SRC, has been appointed interim executive director.