The University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with The Pennsylvania State University College of Agricultural Sciences (Penn State University). The MoU came into effect on January 21st, 2016 and will stand for a period of five years. 

Under the scope of this agreement, both Universities will endeavour to promote the following types of collaboration:

• Collaborative degree programmes
• Exchanges among academic staff
• Joint research projects and educational programmes
• Exchange of scientific materials, publications and information

The College of Agricultural Sciences was the first of the colleges established at Penn State University and awarded the first baccalaureate degrees in the United States of America for agriculture in 1861. The College of Agricultural Sciences also invests approximately $97 million in research and graduate study annually.

There are several units under the Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences which can offer further interest to the UTT community. These include:

• Agricultural and Biological Engineering
• Agricultural Economics, Sociology and Education
• Animal Science
• Ecosystem Science and Management
• Entomology
• Food Science
• Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology
• Plant Science
• Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences
• Centers and Institutes

A representative from Penn State College will be visiting Trinidad in May, 2016 where the intent is to explore possible collaborations with key UTT faculty in a range of areas. 

The International Office and Grant Funding Unit can be contacted via email at internationaloffice@utt.edu.tt should further information be required on this partnership agreement and its associated opportunities for UTT’s staff and students.