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August 2013
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His first visit to the University since assuming the post of High Commissioner in February, Mr. Latulippe was warmly welcomed by Professor Sankat and members of Senior Campus Management. Professor Sankat said that The UWI has long shared deep links with Canada, and that Mr. Latulippe’s presence and support were greatly appreciated. Professor Sankat is a long-standing member of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) and was recently elected to the grade of Fellow of the Canadian Society for Biological Engineering (CSBE). During the discussions, which focussed mainly on the existing relationships between The UWI and various Canadian universities, and the possibilities of expanding and deepening such relationships, Mr Latulippe mentioned that Canada had three priorities for the Caribbean region: investment, security and education, a field in which it aims to become a global actor. He also expressed in The UWI’s plans for reviving the agricultural industry with the expansion of its Field Station to Trincity, and the wider implications for food security and domestic production. Perhaps one of the strongest links that The UWI currently has with Canada, it was said, is the partnership agreements with the University of New Brunswick through The UWI School of Business and Applied Studies Limited (trading as ROYTEC), which offer internationally recognised qualifications and study abroad opportunities. Canada has also provided significant assistance through a CDA$20 million grant from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) to The UWI’s Open Campus to increase the number and diversity of distance education programmes. Mr. Latulippe was presented with a signed copy of Professor Emerita Bridget Brereton’s book, “From Imperial College to University of the West Indies: A History of the St Augustine Campus, Trinidad and Tobago,” and afterwards was given a tour of the Campus, stopping along the way to admire the newly refurbished South Block of Canada Hall. Canada Hall was the University’s first Hall of Residence, generously funded by the Canadian Government. |
His Excellency Gérard Latulippe, High Commissioner for Canada to the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, paid a courtesy call on PVC and Principal Professor Clement Sankat, on July 14. The courtesy call took place at the Conference Room of the Office of the Campus Principal.