Newsday 24.09.07 Section B p. 9

A new campus of the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT) with programmes catering for the fashion industry, commerce, insurance and finance is to be built in Chaguaramas. This was revealed by the UTT President Ken Julien Thursday at the inauguration ceremony of UTT's newest facility, the Centre for Maritime Studies, Chaguaramas.

The ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Patrick Manning and other notable dignitaries, Julien said the UTT had been successful in obtaining a lease for some 30 acres of land from the Chaguaramas Development Authorities for the creation of the campus which he sees as "relating to the West and to Port of Spain".

According to Julien, the university was mandated to identify the gaps in society which hindered the development of the human resource of which maritime studies featured prominently.

"Today marks the fulfillment of this particular gap" said Julien adding that "the centre aimed at preparing young people for careers in merchant sea and navy business."

Although the centre is yet to be completed, Julien said activities had been ongoing with the programme running for approximately two years under the guidance of Maritime Professor Colin Stevenson.

Prime Minister Manning said the facility would address the current worldwide shortage of navigatory and engineering sea faring officers.

"For us in Trinidad and Tobago, whose primary economic activity is export led, there is a need for us to play a more critical role in the management of the sea faring industry" said Manning.

He also added seven new ports are earmarked to be built with an expanded shipping business in the making, creating the need for the development of the human resource in this area. He also revealed that by September 2008 a Bachelor of Science degree would be offered in core subjects of the maritime industry.

The centre boasts of having "maritime simulators which comprise of advanced technology that allows operations that are required to navigate and propel the ship to be replicated in the classrooms.

"The screens allow students to navigate ships into harbours in Port of Spain, New York and San Francisco. This would allow students to familiarise themselves with the required procedures needed to navigate a ship. The centre also possesses engine simulators which are used "to train students in engine room procedures."