News Releases

UWI and TATT sign Landmark Agreement to Accelerate the Development of Radio-frequency-enabled Device

For Release Upon Receipt - June 29, 2023

St. Augustine


From left back row: Prof. Sanjay Bahadoorsingh (Head of Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, The UWI St. Augustine Campus), Mr Kurleigh Prescod (Executive Officer Technology and Engineering, TATT), Prof Rose-Marie Belle Antoine (Campus Principal The UWI St. Augustine Campus), Mrs. Cynthia Reddock Downes (Chief Executive Officer, TATT)

ST. AUGUSTINE, Trinidad and Tobago. June 29, 2023 – The University of the West Indies (The UWI) and the Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (TATT) have announced the signing of a ground-breaking agreement to establish a Conformance and Interoperability Regulatory Sandbox. This initiative, facilitated by The UWI's Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (DECE), aims to foster innovation and accelerate the development of radio frequency (RF)-enabled devices that address local and regional needs. At the ceremonial signing event held on Monday 26th June, 2023 at TATT's Offices, representatives from both organizations expressed their enthusiasm for the collaboration and the potential benefits it will bring to their respective missions.

Professor Rose Marie Belle-Antoine, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Campus Principal of The UWI St. Augustine Campus, emphasized the importance of this agreement, stating, "The signing of this landmark agreement today between The University of the West Indies and the Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago is significant and paves the way for the implementation of a Conformance and Interoperability Regulatory Sandbox, which will be of immense benefit to both parties. We are constantly seeking new opportunities to collaborate with industry partners, government agencies, and other stakeholders to create meaningful and lasting impact."

In this initiative, the TATT and The UWI's Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering's (DECE) have created a 'bridge' that would aid in achieving a shared vision. This agreement facilitates a reduction in the barriers to innovation around wireless devices and systems, allowing for the testing of new telecommunications products and associated services in a controlled environment under specific conditions. Recognizing the need to bridge the gap between regulatory compliance and technological innovation, TATT, as the regulator, plays a vital role in ensuring the efficiency, effectiveness, and responsiveness of Trinidad and Tobago's telecommunications industry. Ms. Cynthia Reddock Downes, Chief Executive Officer of TATT stated, “The establishment of this sandbox initiative supports one of the Authority’s Core values as it pertains to Innovativeness where the Authority seeks to promote the use of initiative, fresh and imaginative thinking, consistently creative introduction of new and original ideas that value not only to the organisation but to overall country and its economy.”

The establishment of the Conformance and Interoperability Regulatory Sandbox will empower the DECE to engage in the local and regional development and production of custom RF-enabled devices. By relaxing the need for overseas equipment certification for proof-of-concept items at each iteration, this initiative will significantly enhance the speed, cost-effectiveness, and interoperability of new products in the telecommunications industry. “Given the prevailing resource-constrained landscape, this sandbox environment nurtures the seeds of creativity and imagination of our local talent to develop innovative wireless solutions for the region, thereby accelerating digital transformation” stated Professor Sanjay Bahadoorsingh, Head of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.

The collaborative efforts of The UWI and TATT in this initiative align with their shared commitment to social and economic development. This partnership opens doors for exciting new discoveries and innovations, ultimately driving the digital transformation and progress of Trinidad and Tobago and the wider region. 

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About The University of the West Indies 

The UWI has been and continues to be a pivotal force in every aspect of Caribbean development; residing at the centre of all efforts to improve the well-being of people across the region for the past 75 years. 

From a university college of London in Jamaica with 33 medical students in 1948, The UWI is today an internationally respected, global university with near 50,000 students and five campuses: Mona in Jamaica, St. Augustine in Trinidad and Tobago, Cave Hill in Barbados, Five Islands in Antigua and Barbuda and its Open Campus, and global centres in partnership with universities in North America, Latin America, Asia, Africa and Europe. 

The UWI offers over 800 certificate, diploma, undergraduate and postgraduate degree options in Culture, Creative and Performing Arts, Food and Agriculture, Engineering, Humanities and Education, Law, Medical Sciences, Science and Technology, Social Sciences, and Sport. As the Caribbean’s leading university, it possesses the largest pool of Caribbean intellect and expertise committed to confronting the critical issues of our region and wider world. 

The UWI has been consistently ranked among the top universities globally by the most reputable ranking agency, Times Higher Education (THE). The UWI is the only Caribbean-based university to make the prestigious lists since its debut in the rankings in 2018. In addition to its leading position in the Caribbean in the World University Rankings, it is also in the top 25 for Latin America and the Caribbean and the top 100 global Golden Age universities (between 50 and 80 years old).  The UWI is also featured among the leading universities on THE’s Impact Rankings for its response to the world’s biggest concerns, outlined in the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including Good Health and Wellbeing; Gender Equality and Climate Action. 

2023 marks The UWI’s 75th anniversary. The Diamond jubilee milestone themed “UWI at 75. Rooted. Ready. Rising.” features initiatives purposely designed and aligned to reflect on the past, confront the present, and articulate plans for the future of the regional University. 

Learn more at www.uwi.edu  

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