The MOR CHE...Tree of Life NEWSLETTER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO ISSUE NO.3 – April 2009 UTT Re-Registered for three years United Kingdom and included Professor Frederick Emshousen (a Consultant-Evaluator with the Higher Learning Commis- sion, USA and a former direc- tor of the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (ABET Inc.) and Carol Keller, former Dean of the School of Education, The University of the West Indies. This was the same team that evaluated UTT a year earlier. Mr Curtis Floyd, Manager, Registration of ACTT accompanied the team. Continued on Page 5 BOARD OF DIRECTORS The Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago has ap- ACTT representative greets Professor Fredrick Emshousen at the O’Meara Campus. Looking on are John Randall pointed the following persons to (left) and Curtis Floyd (partially hidden) also of ACTT. the Board of Governors of The University of Trinidad and Tobago The Accreditation Council of On June 10, 2008, The Univer- the University’s operations and (UTT): sity of Trinidad and Tobago was to make a recommendation on Trinidad and Tobago (ACTT) Professor K. S. Julien- has re-registered The University registered by ACTT for a period the re-registration of UTT. The (Current Chairman) of Trinidad and Tobago for a pe- of one year. During the period team was chaired by John Ran- Mr. Kenneth Gordon riod of three years. UTT’s cur- April 20 – 23, 2009 a team of dall, former Executive Director Dr. Wilhelmus K. Hilwig rent registration will therefore external evaluators appointed of the Quality Assurance Agen- Professor Andrew Ramroop Ms. Margaret A. Richardson expire in 2012. by ACTT visited UTT to review cy for Higher Education in the WHAT’S INSIDE Tree of Life Opening Latin Dance Energy Like the growth of the of UTT at Pt. Lisas Relation- Moriche palm, The University of Trinidad O’Meara Campus ships and Tobago (UTT) has experienced Sporting tremendous expansion during its nearly Facility five-year existence. Between 2005 and 2007, UTT has graduated over 1,300 p 10 p 3 p 9 students and, at present, the University’s student population is 6,450. UTT – Relevance, Research, Relationships Job Offers for UTT Students in Turbulent Job Market At the Centre for Engineering Systems- the students have sometimes joined ships training centres worldwide trying to secure Maritime Studies, a Diploma in Maritime trading to Trinidad but, in many cases, have berths for their students. At EXMAR’s last Studies is offered in either the navigating joined ships abroad and have been repatri- visit senior managers interviewed all UTT or engineering disciplines. This course pro- ated from abroad at the end of their ship- students that have spent some time train- vides the underpinning knowledge required board training. ing aboard their ships. As a consequence of to enable students to obtain professional these interviews, twenty-four (24) students qualification. Students who wish to pursue In support of this type of on board training, have been offered employment contracts a sea-going career as Merchant Marine Of- feedback from our cadets has indicated that that will enable them to have a secure start to ficers are required, under International Leg- the senior officers on board the ships have their sea-going careers with one of the lead- islation, to spend a period of time at sea in been fully involved with training our stu- ing shipping companies in the world. This addition to classroom work and practical dents. This is a compliment to the quality is a major success story for UTT. The pros- application in simulation exercises. of officers that EXMAR employs on their pects for the year 2009 are very encouraging vessels, as such, training is over and above as the collaboration continues. The requirement for on-board training has their normal duties. required the Centre to create alliances with The willingness and enthusiasm on the part shipping companies in order to secure ship- From the beginning of their association of EXMAR has served as the mainstay in the board placements for our students. One with the University in 2005, EXMAR has process of training sea-going officers at the such company which not only owns ships, provided sixty-three berths on many of Centre for Engineering Systems-Maritime but manages them for other companies, is their twenty-four available ships both for Studies of The University of Trinidad and EXMAR Ship Management; a Belgian- navigating and engineering students. These Tobago. based Company operating and managing numbers may seem small, but they must be gas-carrying ships world-wide. appreciated in the context of the competi- tion from other more established maritime By Professor. Colin Stevenson Over the past four years, from the start of the maritime programmes, EXMAR has de- veloped a close relationship with the Centre and has shown and maintained great interest Visit of Indian High in providing berths for our students regis- tered for the Diploma Courses. Senior op- Commissioner to UTT erational and Human Resource managers of EXMAR have paid regular visits to the Excellency, Mr. Malay Mishra, visited Centre, interviewing our students and as- The University of Trinidad and Tobago sessing their suitability for employment on O’Meara Campus to meet with Senior their ships, once qualified. They have also Staff, as well as, the nationals of India provided training in the form of specialised who have joined UTT. Mr. Mishra was short courses at our Centre using their own greeted by the President of UTT, Profes- teaching personnel. These courses have sor K. S. Julien. Mr. Mishra expressed greatly enhanced the knowledge required interest in what UTT has offered in the when the students arrive on board and have area of fashion and specifically, in the ultimately led to satisfactory and, at times, Academy of Caribbean Fashion and outstanding performance by our students. Design. High Commissioner for the Republic of India, The first three students to be placed with His Excellency, Mr. Malay Mishra signs the visi- After viewing DVD presentations on EXMAR joined a ship in Zeebrugge that tor’s log. Looking on are Professor K. S. Julien. the University, a brief reception fol- and Mr. Darren Braithwaite. was trading to North Africa and they were lowed. Mr. Mishra was then invited to away for five months. The manner in which tour the O’Meara campus which in- these students responded to this experience cluded a demonstration in the Mecha- has paved the way for the continuing co- On Thursday March 26, 2009, High Com- tronics laboratory headed by Professor operation that we enjoy today. Since then, missioner for the Republic of India, His Prakash Persad. 2 THE MORICHE / ISSUE NO.3 2009 Visit our website at www.u.tt for further information on UTT. To download The Moriche and give feedback, go to www.u.tt/moriche UTT – Relevance, Research, Relationships Je’ Danse! The Ballroom and Latin dance group was throughout the varying campuses dancing fraternities. Not to be swayed by forged through an initiative of UTT’s HR • facilitate the learning of a social activity titles alone, the group also hopes to partici- Unit, as a part of its 2009 theme: “Enhanc- • facilitate a medium of expressing pate in service oriented and charitable events ing the Employee’s Experience”, with over creativity and culture within the wider community. 30 members of staff registered and enrolled. • encourage exercise and fitness through The group was officially launched on Tues- fun and relaxation day March 3, 2009 at the Pt. Lisas Campus. • give staff an opportunity to relieve stress Je’ Danse directed by This entailed a showcase of dances from through a healthy avenue Davanne Edwards, UTT personnel and professional dancers. • encourage discipline Nancy Solomon and Carissa Daniel. The club is currently comprised of members • encourage service and charity to the of staff, both male and female, all of the Pt. wider community Lisas Campus. The long term goals for the membership is Je’ Danse utilizes the expertise of two pro- to see each major campus within the Uni- fessional dance instructors with a combined versity facilitate a similar programme and fourteen (14) years of experience. The vi- for that programme to be extended to the sion of the dance group is simply, “to foster student body as well. Future involvement a balanced employee through the exposure in Latin dance competitions are also not to the art and discipline of dancing.” The out-ruled as the members believe that, with objectives of the group are as follows: enough practice, they too have a good shot at winning titles and competitions as hosted • encourage integration amongst staff by the local, regional and international Latin dance exhibition at Pt. Lisas. Dancers go through their paces. Avanelle Peters and Davanne Edwards Crosssection of dancers showing off basic steps of Latin dance at the Pt. Lisas Campus. announces winner of door prize. Visit our website at www.u.tt for further information on UTT. THE MORICHE / ISSUE NO.3 2009 3 To download The Moriche and give feedback, go to www.u.tt/moriche UTT – Relevance, Research, Relationships Careers for Youths in Protective, Defence and Security Services Background and Objectives On March 20, 2009, UTT hosted a major Stakeholders’ Consultation at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Port-of-Spain, with eighty (80) of the nation’s top resource personnel. This consultation was held in an effort to develop actionable plans to stimulate and sustain interest and enthusiasm in youths from an early age (12-18). The Stakehold- ers’ Consultation sought to identify av- enues for career oportunities to youths and to develop appropriate values, attitudes and competencies in defence, security and the protective services.