1^st place winners:  Trini Christmas created by : Osei Brown, Nia Allard and Jelani Thompson

The Incubator Projects under the Research and Postgraduate Studies Unit brought the festive season to life with its first Innovative Christmas Tree Competition, held on Wednesday 3 December at the Point Lisas Campus. This competition aimed to reignite innovation among students, giving them the opportunity to showcase their creativity, while building camaraderie among their peers. Guided by the University's commitment to innovation and entrepreneurship, the competition encouraged participants to create a Christmas tree from non-conventional items, transforming ordinary materials into extraordinary holiday installations. This year's judging panel, comprising Mrs Kathy-Ann Jeet-Matthew, Academic Standards Officer, Quality Assurance and Institutional Effectiveness and Mrs Davi Ragbir, Accounting Assistant I, General Ledger, Student Accounting had the difficult task of selecting the winners from an inspiring range of entries.

The winning creation, Trini Christmas, captured the essence of local culture with an interesting storytelling twist inspired by the Grinch-this time attempting to "steal Trini Christmas." Each detail on the tree paid homage to Trinidad and Tobago, with handcrafted ornaments featuring the hummingbird in place of the traditional star, the Scarlet Ibis, steelpan, hibiscus, and playful references to RemBunction's classic Mr. Santa Claus. The team also embraced sustainability, constructing nearly all elements from recycled and repurposed materials gathered over several weeks. Their sculpted papier-mâché figures of Santa and the Grinch-complete with recycled bottles, foil rolls, and thoughtfully sewn clothing-reflected the students' diverse talents and innovative spirit.

2^nd place winners: Steampunk Christmas created by: Patria Smith and Christopher Gill

In another stunning display of creativity, the second-place entry transported viewers into the whimsical world of Steampunk. Drawing inspiration from childhood films and the limitless possibilities of the genre, the creators constructed a mechanical fantasy using an extraordinary assortment of household materials. From old perfume bottles and drone gears to bracelets, cardboard, beads and swizzle sticks, the students repurposed each item into a cohesive and imaginative structure. Their design evolved naturally through experimentation, resulting in a bold and visually captivating steampunk-inspired tree that impressed both judges and the audience.

3^rd place: Santa's Balloon Evergreen Christmas created by: Liz Adams

Third place introduced a contemporary twist through Santa's Balloon Evergreen, a playful balloon-sculpted tree brought to life by Santa's cheerful elves. This vibrant entry combined storytelling and modern balloon artistry to create a whimsical scene infused with movement and holiday charm. Its imaginative use of materials demonstrated a flair for visual design.

The competition highlighted not only student creativity but also the spirit of entrepreneurship, as vendors from the Business Market were invited to display and sell their unique items. Their participation added vibrancy to the event and reinforced the Incubator Projects' mission to nurture innovation, entrepreneurship, and engagement across the University.

Throughout the competition, students demonstrated remarkable resourcefulness and teamwork. The Incubator Projects continues to champion opportunities that promote entrepreneurship and innovation, thereby empowering students to generate ideas and pursue business ownership opportunities.

As we have entered the holiday season, the Innovative Christmas Tree Competition stands as a joyful reminder of what happens when students are encouraged to imagine boldly and create fearlessly. Congratulations to all participants, and special thanks to judges Mrs Kathy-Ann Jeet-Matthew and Mrs Davi Ragbir for lending their expertise to this inspiring showcase of UTT talent.