March 2010


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“We now face inevitable financial pressure as a result of the financial landscape globally. We cannot ignore the issue; everything we want to accomplish in higher education depends on a solid, sustainable system of funding,” said Professor Clement Sankat, St Augustine Campus Principal of The UWI, at the West Indies Group of University Teachers (WIGUT St. Augustine) seminar on “Sustainable Funding of Higher Education in Challenging Times,” held in early March at Daaga Hall Auditorium.

As Prof Sankat brought greetings to participants, he noted that, “it is imperative that our institution and others, both public and private, discuss and explore innovative and feasible policies to protect and grow significant investment in higher education in Trinidad and Tobago and the region.”

The WIGUT seminar featured six panels exploring challenges faced in funding higher education. Presenters examined a range of practical issues, such as traditional and entrepreneurial approaches and models in higher education, quality assurance and return on investment, funding models and case applications in higher education, cost-cutting and workload issues, and funding the academy.

Dr Godfrey Steele, Senior Lecturer in Communication Studies and WIGUT President, welcomed participants and outlined a higher education investment policy that incorporates the views of the academy, meets and increases funding commitments, and balances the interests of all stakeholders. Later that day in response to a comment from Labour Minister Mr Rennie Dumas that government was committed to funding higher education, Dr Steele acknowledged with appreciation the support of the State. However, he lamented that although WIGUT had submitted its pay proposals for 2008-2011 in June 2008, to date it had neither had a response nor had been invited to begin negotiations for Academic, Senior Administrative and Professional Staff. This was having a negative impact on the institution, its staff and its students.

Mr Emmanuel Gonsalves, President, College of Science, Technology and Applied Arts of Trinidad and Tobago (COSTAATT) noted that existing funding models were demand driven and depended on State revenue. He suggested a fund be set up specifically for tertiary education needs, and that it be constitutionally protected and managed by qualified, experienced and independent professionals.

Dr Steele is compiling a summary of the presentations for public information.

For more information, please contact Elmelinda Lara (868) 662 2002 Ext. 3414 or Elmelinda.Lara@sta.uwi.edu or visit www.sta.wigut.info.