There is something supernatural about the North Coast. Driving alongside the sheer cliffs of North Coast Road, or taking the path through the hills and dense forest of Blanchisseuse Road, it’s almost like entering another realm. It’s like travelling back to an old world, a wild place, a place with a more equitable balance between man and nature.
It's beautiful up there on the other side of the Northern Range, renowned for its beaches and greenery, waterfalls, and wildlife. And of course, there’s the people, many of whom are warm and welcoming, who live in the coastal villages and rural settlements.
It must be a wonder to live with the vastness of the Caribbean Sea in your backyard, to enjoy cleaner air and fresher foods. But life on the North Coast is far from ideal. The same remoteness that gives their home its beauty also acts as a barrier of sorts for members of these communities to benefit fully from T&T’s progress. They have limited access to economic opportunities, services, technology and interconnectivity, and higher education.
"Many students do not know of the opportunities available for furthering their education beyond the secondary level,” says Mr Hashim Johnson, Principal of the Blanchisseuse Secondary School. “Very few of our students are motivated to pursue studies at the form six level.”
UWI St Augustine, through an initiative led by the Office of the Campus Principal, is seeking to rectify this situation. This past June, they held an interactive open day at Blanchisseuse Secondary.
A campus convoy made up of personnel from its various departments made the journey north to the school. They set up interactive booths to provide information on programmes, careers, and courses. Many booths included games, demonstrations, and experiments which delighted both staff and visitors.
The Faculty of Science and Technology drew large crowds with interactive chemistry experiments, including the popular elephant toothpaste demonstration. The Department of Physics engaged visitors with games that brought smiles, laughter and, for some, moments of frustration. The Faculty of Sport encouraged participation in various sports, with Ms Bernadette Antoine from the St Augustine Academy of Sport even challenging Minister of Planning and Development and Arima Member of Parliament (MP) Pennelope Beckles (Blanchisseuse is one of Arima’s constituencies) to a quick round of tennis, much to the delight of the crowd.
"Having the UWI come to us surely gives our students the opportunity to explore different avenues in education, and understand what is needed to achieve their career goals," says Blanchisseuse Secondary Acting Vice Principal Camilla Neptune.
FROM LEFT: Minister of Planning and Development and MP for Arima Ms Pennelope Becles, head girl at Blanchisseuse Secondary School Ms Reshma Mackoon, UWI St Augustine Campus Principal Professor Rose-Marie Belle Antoine, and Principal of the Blanchisseuse Secondary Mr Hashim Johnsonat the open day. PHOTOS: CHERISSE LAUREN BERKELEY
Principal Johnson agrees, adding that the visit “makes a tremendous difference, as planning and facilitating transport for all the students and staff would be difficult”.
Both administrators noted that many students were particularly interested in agricultural studies, including hydroponics and grow houses.
The trip to the North Coast is one of several journeys undertaken by UWI St Augustine to reach out to rural communities. In April, a campus team went to Moruga on Trinidad’s south coast for their Community Day. Most recently, in early July, they took part in the La Brea Economic Development Day in the southwest.
"We hope to do this in as many communities as possible,” says UWI St Augustine Campus Principal Professor Rose-Marie Belle Antoine. “Once the MPs are willing to have us, we are happy to be here."
Principal Antoine, who has personally led all three community visits, adds, “I would love for us to go to Tobago as we are one country, and the Tobagonian community must not be excluded. It will surely take more planning and would be more costly, but I am definitely hopeful that we will take this initiative to Tobago in the future."
Regarding support for rural students facing long and costly travel to attend UWI, Professor Antoine speaks on the importance of informing them about bursaries, scholarships, and other support available through the campus’s Division of Student Services and Development (DSSD).
"Often, people give up before they even start by thinking it's not possible for them for various reasons, including lengthy commutes and funding. One of the most important parts of this endeavour is to give members of rural communities information about the financial aid that is available through the DSSD," she says.
Ms Reshma Mackoon, head girl at Blanchisseuse Secondary and youth councillor, says, "I think this is a great opportunity for our students to learn about education possibilities after leaving secondary school. Many of us aren't aware of what we need to do to apply or qualify for UWI, so this event is very informative and helpful."
Mackoon, who was busily setting up a barbering course for her schoolmates at the open day, found the event inspiring and appreciated the support of MP Beckles. "I genuinely like helping others, especially those in my community—a trait passed down from my grandfather. I hope to pursue a career in politics, so I learned a lot about the [UWI] Political Science programme."
Speaking of her pleasure in partnering with UWI to bring the campus to the students, MP Beckles says, “The first reason I agreed to partner in this initiative was understanding the benefit of knowing what UWI has to offer. By bringing UWI to them, it surely is a step in the right direction to empowering young people through higher education."
Ms Beckles, who is a UWI alum herself, reflected on her own positive experiences at the university – experiences that one day students who attended the UWI event might have for themselves.
"Speaking with some of the students here today,” she says, “I can see their joy and excitement in gaining insight into the prerequisites and the best ways to achieve their career goals."
The event also attracted community members who gathered information about programmes to further their careers or explore new opportunities. A recent graduate of the school who attended the open day said, "I wish they had done something like this during my time, but I'm grateful to have had the invitation extended beyond just current students."
The initiative is an example of The UWI's commitment to making higher education accessible and relevant to all parts of the country, not just urban centres. By bringing the campus directly to rural areas, the university is breaking down barriers and showing students and community members alike that higher education is within their reach.
The hands-on experiences and personal interactions with members of the campus community help demystify the process of applying to and attending university, making it more approachable and attainable.
Looking forward, representatives of the Office of the Campus Principal say they plan to continue this type of outreach. The positive feedback from both students and community members, they say, shows the importance of these activities in fostering educational aspirations and community development.
And who knows? With the opening of opportunities, and the benefits of personal and professional growth that higher education can provide, the people of the North Coast may enjoy the best of both worlds: more equitable access to opportunities, even while continuing to enjoy a harmonious relationship with nature.
