Twenty-five (25) students, twenty (20) male and five (5) female, are among the first cohort of scholars enrolled in The University of Trinidad and Tobago's Certificate in Aviation Technology programme. On Friday 5th December, 2014, Senator the Honourable Fazal Karim, Minister of Tertiary Education and Skills Training, paid a courtesy call on these students at UTT's Pt. Lisas Energy Campus. The Certificate in Aviation Technology programme is currently being administered at this venue until the Aviation Institute comes on stream by the first quarter of 2015.

Minister Karim hailed the day as an "historic one - a day which will be written in the annals of UTT as it represents a transformation from Bagasse to Brains." These twenty-five students, who represent communities that span the breadth of the nation, were selected from some 275 prospective applicants. According to Minister Karim, "the Certificate in Aviation Technology is the first of its kind to be GATE approved as GATE continues to be well secured and expanded." Minister Karim also gave a breakdown of the cost per student stating that the one-year, 55 credit programme costs "TTD $21,600.00 per student while a similar programme at Centennial College Canada would cost TTD $96,250.00 per student". He challenged the pupils to embrace the "spirit of philanthropy by being true ambassadors and exemplars". Minister Karim spoke of the OJT-Aviation initiative and an upcoming junior aviation venture which he hopes will see students of the Certificate in Aviation Technology programme mentor and share their experiences with future aviation enthusiasts.

Also addressing the audience were Mr. Kwasi Mutema, Deputy Chairman of UTT's Board of Governors, UTT's President, Professor Dyer Narinesingh, Mr. Parissram Jaggernath, Director of Aviation and Mr. Aaron Maharaj who spoke on behalf of the student body.  Mr. Mutema made mention of UTT "looking ahead, quite eagerly, to the establishment of the Aviation Institute which will serve as a critical component in fulfilling the human capacity needs of the aviation sector" and stated that "it is particularly important that Trinidad and Tobago develop programmes and other initiatives such as these, since, as the Caribbean leader in the aviation industry, we should seek to develop the talent and the knowledge product of our own citizens in unique areas of national development." Mr. Aaron Maharaj, in his closing remarks, thanked Minister Karim, the Ministry of Tertiary Education and Skills Training and the leadership of UTT. He stated that "previously, pursuing a career in Aviation in Trinidad was just a dream" however, he now "looks forward to the completion of the Institute where…aviation training will be [considered] a top priority in the human capital development of Trinidad and Tobago and will place Trinidad and Tobago as a centre for Aviation in the region".

Students of UTT's Certificate in Aviation Technology programme are as follows:

UTT will soon introduce the Bachelor's in Aircraft Maintenance and Management undergraduate programme which will also fall under the umbrella of the Aviation Institute. 

Eager Anticipation: On Friday 5th December 2014, Senator the Honourable Fazal Karim, Minister of Tertiary Education and Skills Training (centre) paid a courtesy call on the 25 enthusiastic students who comprise the new cohort of the Certificate in Aviation Technology programme being offered by The University of Trinidad and Tobago’s at its Pt. Lisas Energy Campus currently, until the Aviation Institute comes on stream by the first quarter of 2015.