Using Practical Applications as Opportunities to Address Present Problems  

The University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT) recently hosted a three-day entrepreneurial conference, "The Role of Universities in Entrepreneurship for Socio-Economic Development:  UTT’s Response" at the UTT Campus at NAPA.  Day one of the conference featured Professor Henry Etzkowitz, international scholar and originator of the "Entrepreneurial University" and the "Triple Helix" concepts, as he delivered a discourse on, "Entrepreneurial Development using the Triple Helix Model".

Days two and three of the conference featured intellectually stimulating and socially relevant papers and poster presentations by academic staff and students of UTT.  These were presented under the theme of "Innovation and Entrepreneurship" with subthemes of Cultural Entrepreneurship, E-Applications and the Social Aspects of Entrepreneurship; University- Industry Linkages with the subthemes of Agriculture, Energy and Utilities; Research and Development (R & D) and Developmental Studies. 

Cultural Entrepreneurship

Katy Gainham, Professor of Music, at the Academy for the Performing Arts, presented a paper entitled, "Culturepreneurship: Economic Growth through the Performing Arts."  Annette Fitzpatrick, M. Phil student at the Academy of Arts, Letters, Culture and Performing Arts presented her work "The Trinidad Carnival Bacchanal:  An Oasis of Creativity, Innovation and Entrepreneurship." 

OPPORTUNITIES: Both papers examined the opportunities available in arts and culture for economic development and nation building.

Research & Development and E-applications

Dr. Andrea Kanneh, UTT’s first Ph.D. graduate, currently Assistant Professor, Information and Communication  Technology (ICT)  at  the  University,  presented  on  the use of biometrics and haptics technology.

OPPORTUNITIES: This work can be used for the optimisation of security verification in a variety of settings where user identity verification is required.

Students of UTT’s BSc in ICT- Davion Stewart, Jehu Cummings, Virginia Jordan, Brandon Monroe and Nystrom Edwards- introduced participants to practical applications of ICT currently in progress at the University including a web-based system and a haptic glove device.

OPPORTUNITIES: The web-based system is intended to manage the work flow of a maintenance department. The haptic glove is being explored for its use as a training tool for improving spin bowling techniques in cricketers.

Laurice Phillips, ICT Instructor, presented his design- the University Grade Management System (UGMS).

OPPORTUNITIES: The UGMS is a web based application that provides a centralised software solution to automate and manage the timely entry, generation, verification and delivery of examination results. 

University-Industry Linkages: Agriculture

Jemila James-Nunes, Research Assistant and PhD Student, Process Engineering presented her research into improvements in Single Cell Protein (SCP) production, which is primarily used for animal feed.

OPPORTUNITIES: Jemila’s work can result in greater income generation for Trinidad and Tobago in the animal feed industry.

Research into the effect of mammary stimulation on dairy cows and heifers exposed to a lactation induction protocol was presented by Reeza Ramgattie, M. Phil. student and Research Assistant, Biosciences, Agriculture and Food Production Technologies. 

OPPORTUNITIES: This offers a solution to the profitability lost by dairy farmers who are forced to remove healthy, high producing cows from the milking herd due to reproductive failure.  

The conference also featured other innovative research activities in Agriculture at UTT, including: multi-purpose hot peppers and the extraction their fixed oil (capsaicinoids) for pharmaceutical use, the incorporation of cassava into animal feed rations, the generation of indigenous protein sources (Tricantera and Moringa) for ruminants, and the enhancement of the shelf life, taste and appearance of sugar cane juice. 

University-Industry Linkages: Energy and Utilities

 Donnie Boodlal, recent UTT doctoral candidate (Energy Studies) gave an in-depth analysis of Green House Gas (GHG) emissions by the various sectors in Trinidad and Tobago.

OPPORTUNITIES: Mr. Boodlal also presented a techno-economic analysis of related GHG reduction strategies which should have far-reaching implications for environmental efficacy.

"Entrepreneurship and the Resource Curse: The Case of Trinidad and Tobago" was the paper presented by Edward Bahaw, doctoral student, Energy Studies which examined the impact of the energy sector’s contribution to the national economy.

OPPORTUNITIES: This work will be valuable in policy planning, especially with respect to economic diversification.

Doctoral candidate Franklin Ali presented his work on the use of the Management Operator Model for postal reforms in Trinidad and Tobago and four other countries.

OPPORTUNITIES: This can be implemented to raise the productivity and quality of the postal service in counties where there is poor quality of service and unprofitability.

Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Education

In 2006, the University embarked on teacher-training for the Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) degree. One of the specialisations offered is that of Agriculture Science, developed against the backdrop of UTT’s policy of  "Entrepreneurship."

OPPORTUNITIES:  This programme will positively address the problems of Trinidad and Tobago’s high food import bill, the dwindling farming population and fuels the prospect of the introduction of Agriculture Science at the CAPE level by the Caribbean Examinations Council. 

Exhibits and Displays

The conference also included interactive exhibits from the ICT department which included the Haptics Cyber Glove, a Driver Simulator, a chess game, a weather station, an East Indian Museum and an Amerindian Village. 

One exhibit that could not be missed was a ‘Big Book’, an adaptation of A House for Mr. Biswas by V. S. Naipaul (11 inches x 17 inches in size), that was produced by Veronica Farrell, Senior Instructor, Centre for Education Programmes.

OPPORTUNITIES: This exhibit was done as part of a Children’s Literature Project which aims at writing adaptations of classic Caribbean Literature for children in order to further their cultural awareness and appreciation.

Clothing designed and made by students of The Caribbean Academy of Fashion Design (CAFD) were also on display.

OPPORTUNITIES: Entrepreneurial opportunities exist which will assist graduates of UTT’s CAFD programme in the creation of their own local brand.

Caribbean Gaming: A Brave New World

A highlight of the conference was the Gaming Workshop. UTT Instructor Omar Lewis and students in the Diploma in Animation programme displayed "Crab Catcher"- an indigenous video game.

OPPORTUNITIES: One result of this project will be an initial standard operating procedure for developing and delivering gaming content for the local and global gaming market.