University of Trinidad and Tobago joins the quest for excellence

The pursuit of excellence for all of Trinidad and Tobago and indeed the wider Caribbean is the vision of the president of the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT), Kenneth Julien (Professor Emeritus). “Excellent and sustainable performance in all fields of human endeavor establishes the reputations of countries, regardless of size. The Caribbean has the opportunity to enhance its reputation in several areas. We must turn our backs on mediocrity, not glamorize it. The quest for perfection should be one of the nation’s goals and a major motivation for our young people,” said Julien.

Answering the president’s call, UTT won the 2008 Investors’ Prize at the Global Social Entrepreneurship Competition from among 15 finalists from tertiary educational institutions such as Cornell University, Harvard University, the University of Georgia, the University of Washington, the India Institute of Management, and the University of Pretoria of South Africa. This award now places UTT’s winner, Shaad Subhan, at the forefront to access financing from regional and international investors.

UTT draws on the experiences of the various institutions under its domain to play its part in providing a human resource capacity to achieve the country’s Vision 2020 including the development of a knowledge-based society with a high level of its population possessing tertiary education. One of the roles of this tertiary educational institution is to meet the challenges of preparing the nation’s youth to satisfy the needs of a highly trained and qualified technological work force.

Realistic entry requirements coupled with pre-university programs and a drive for excellence in professional and academic pursuits have resulted in a demand that far exceeded expectations. With over 5000 students, 1000 faculty members, and campuses at five locations – its largest campus at Tamana Park is under construction – this three-year-old, internationally accredited institution has a significant number of students currently on the waiting list and is rapidly expanding its infrastructure to meet program demands.

To meet industry demands in the energy sector, additional, non-traditional, one-year and two-year programs have been developed and are attracting students who may not otherwise have thought about pursuing tertiary education. Offerings include certificate, diploma, and degree programs, both graduate and undergraduate, as UTT attempts to meet the evolving technological, arts, cultural, public affairs, and professional needs of Trinidad and Tobago.

UTT’s Master’s in Engineering and Bachelor’s of Applied Science and Engineering programs offer broad curricula that include not only science and mathematics, but also a mix of humanities, cultural awareness, arts, and social studies courses. “We seek to develop inquiring minds and prepare graduates with knowledge and skills applicable to any job opportunity in industry, research, or entrepreneurship,” said Oliver Flax, Senior Vice President of Student Affairs and Human Services at UTT.

Two-year programs, such as the National Engineering Technician’s Diploma, offer traditional engineering courses including automotive engineering, chemical engineering, civil engineering, communications engineering, computer engineering, electrical/electronic engineering, petroleum engineering, plus manufacturing engineering. There are also non-traditional two-year programs in areas such as agriculture, animal health and veterinary public health, fashion design, fashion management, maritime operations, ornamental horticulture (ECIAF), and visual communications design. This array of courses demonstrates the wide range of choices entry-level students have when making their decision to continue on to four-year programs or enter the world of work as qualified professionals in their chosen fields.

As Oliver Flax said, “We are not hamstrung by traditional methods. We develop our programs and policies as needs and best practices dictate.” Flax added, “Trinidadian high school graduates have more choices now. They no longer have to wait on sitting the GCE London Examination at the Advanced Level to pursue a university education. They can enter with their Ordinary levels and/or Caribbean Examinations Council achievement with appropriate subjects. They can pursue a chosen field while they decide on their future pursuits.”

Zameer Mohammed, Senior Manager at UTT indicates that prospective students continue to demonstrate keen interest in the programs offered by UTT. During UTT’s recent open day, over 6000 students from secondary schools converged on the O’Meara Campus to express interest not only in the academic offerings but also the opportunities for internship experiences under UTT’s cooperative program with the business community. “Students see real opportunities of acquiring high-level jobs in their field of interest and in the industries of Trinidad and Tobago. They see definite possibilities for deferred gratification through study and application.”

UTT’s four-year programs include degrees in education, fashion design, and sport studies; and its Bachelor’s in applied sciences and Master’s in engineering include degrees in biomedical engineering, civil and construction systems, information and communications technology (ICT), manufacturing, energy systems, petroleum, and process and utilities. Programs currently offered at the Master’s level are environmental science and management, health administration, industrial innovation, entrepreneurship and management, information and communications technology, oil and gas exploration and production, petroleum, energy systems, process and utilities, sport for development, and sport management.

Julien said that UTT is in a partnership with the government of Trinidad and Tobago, the private sector, and centers of excellence, which include some of the world’s highest rated universities and education institutions. In addition, he added, “UTT has established a technology alliance with IBM World Trade Corporation Development for ICT, which assists us greatly in establishing a world class university by installing advanced technologies, processes, and pedagogy.”

Alliances have been established with the University of Texas at Austin – Petroleum and Geosystems Engineering; Cambridge University – Institute of Manufacturing; Johns Hopkins Medicine International; Technical University of Denmark; Carnegie Mellon University of Canada; University of British Columbia; and School of Sport, Exercise Sciences, and Sports Development at Longhborough University of the United Kingdom.

“With UTT’s programs reflecting our vision and purpose, our university continues to develop a high caliber research capability in ICT, oil and gas, and will spare no effort to strive for excellence as it makes valid contributions to scholarship and community development. This institution supports the country’s developmental goals as we move even closer to achieving development country status,” said Julien.