A Sea of Opportunities for Archaeological Heritage Research

The Archaeological heritage of the islands of Trinidad and Tobago is among the oldest and one of the most fragile non-renewable resources.  This archaeological heritage is at high risk of being lost to land use development and there is a great need for effective management.  A concerted effort toward an integrated protection and conservation management system to minimise this destruction is therefore imperative.

The National Trust of Trinidad and Tobago partnered with UTT to host an Archaeological Heritage Management Seminar in March, 2014. Collaborating on such a historically sound seminar has provided a unique platform for exciting new opportunities in education, training and research; all in keeping with the integrity of Trinidad and Tobago’s conservation and preservation efforts of its marine environment since archaeology provides the scientific evidence of what is believed to be historically correct.  Among other things, UTT’s programme in Marine Sciences will:

1. Achieve focused research in Coasts and Ocean Sciences
2. Enhance capacity and technological skills for managing coastal and marine resources in Trinidad and Tobago and the wider Caribbean region
3. Encourage the identification of innovative and entrepreneurial opportunities in coastal and oceanic environments
4. Assist to identify and solve marine resource issues of national and regional interests
5. Respond to national needs in the coasts and ocean environment in a rapid, appropriate and flexible manner
6. Have relevant training suitable to the existing needs of the country and region while retaining competitiveness in the job market.

Faculty of UTT’s Marine and Maritime sciences programmes were recently part of a strategic task force which provided information to His Excellency Anthony Thomas Aquinas Carmona, ORTT, SC, President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago on the December, 2013 oil spill which affected parts of south Trinidad. The committee was co-chaired by Dr. Fazal Ali, Provost of UTT.