The University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT) recently held a special tree-planting ceremony to celebrate and honour the graduating class of 2023.   This unique event was hosted by UTT’s Student Guild together with Senior Instructor, Foundation Courses, Rolly D. Hosein, who said, "The graduating class was engaged in remote learning for most of their studies at UTT, and this exercise was created to allow students to leave their mark on a UTT campus because they did not have much of a university campus experience due to the COVID-19 pandemic". 

Hosein went on to say, "This event allowed them to have a positive impact on the environment. The tree planting event demonstrates an ongoing commitment to environmental sustainability, aimed at enhancing the campus environment, reducing the University's carbon footprint, and raising awareness about the importance of preserving green spaces". 

The graduating class was engaged in online and remote learning for most of their studies at the University due to the COVID-19 pandemic from 2019 to 2023.  The event took place at UTT San Fernando Campus, where dozens of trees of various native species were carefully selected to thrive in the local climate and contribute to the long-term ecological health of the campus.

UTT’s graduation ceremony was held on November 7 and 8, at the National Academy of the Performing Arts, Port of Spain and the valedictorians were Akeel Mandol, Saffina Ali, and Kristopher Laggan. The University thanks the Forestry Division of the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries, for its donation of trees.