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The UWI St. Augustine Congratulates Senator The Honourable Professor Prakash Persad

For Release Upon Receipt - May 5, 2025

St. Augustine


St. Augustine, May 5th 2025 – The University of the West Indies (The UWI) St. Augustine Campus extends sincere congratulations to Senator the Honourable Professor Prakash Persad on his appointment as Minister of Tertiary Education and Skills Training.

 Sen. The Hon Professor Persad is a long-serving academic and alumnus of The UWI, having earned both his B.Sc. in Electrical Engineering and Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering at the St. Augustine Campus. He also led the Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering and has made significant contributions to regional education and research.

 (L-R) Professor Prakash Persad and Dean of the Faculty of Engineering Professor Bheshem Ramlal at the 1st Hydrogen Symposium held at The UWI, St. Augustine Campus in 2023. 

Sen. The Hon. Professor Prakash Persad has served as the President of The University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT) and he has held several senior academic leadership roles at UTT, including Acting Provost, Associate Provost – Undergraduate Affairs and Associate Provost – Science, Engineering, Technology and Science-Related Units. He has played a pivotal role in advancing science and technology education and has published extensively across both academic and public platforms.

 His leadership in education policy includes chairing the Board of Governors of the National Institute of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (NIHERST), serving as a Commissioner of the Port Authority and contributing as a member of the Cabinet-appointed Committee on the Evaluation of Text Books.

 Welcoming the appointment, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Campus Principal Professor Rose-Marie Belle Antoine shared:

 “Professor Persad is an accomplished academic and a valued former member of The UWI family. His deep understanding of tertiary education, both as an award-winning scholar and policy leader, makes him exceptionally well-suited to guide the sector forward. We warmly welcome his appointment and we are excited to support his vision for national development through tertiary education.”

 The UWI looks forward to continued collaboration with the Ministry under his leadership to expand access, innovation and quality in tertiary education across Trinidad and Tobago.

 End

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