The South Trinidad Chamber of Industry and Commerce extended a formal invitation to the University of Trinidad and Tobago [UTT] to participate in the inaugural Trinidad and Tobago Petroleum Conference 2009 Energy Debate Competition, between undergraduate students of the University of the West Indies and the University of Trinidad and Tobago.

The debate was held at the Hyatt Regency Trinidad, Port of Spain which formed a major part of Day One of the Trinidad and Tobago Petroleum Conference 2009 during 2nd to 3rd February 2009. The theme for the conference was "Energy for Competitiveness".  The resolution of the debate was: "Be it resolved that: Trinidad and Tobago’s decline in the Global Competitiveness index ranking should be an issue of concern". UTT’s team which consisted of Randall Ballack, Patrice Joseph and Brenton Davy, all final year students in the B.Sc. Petroleum Engineering Programme, took the opposing position and presented strong argument to support their position in the debate. The proponent team consisted of Sharane Simon, Nwoma Grant and Sherezz Grant all pursuing first degrees in Petroleum Geosciences at the University of the West Indies.

Prior to the debate, one of our own, Brenton Davy did a fantastic interview on CNC3 on Friday 23rd January 2009 together with a member of the proponent team UWI, Sherezz Grant. This interview was hosted by Dr. Keith Clifford and Mrs. Renee Cummings Small which was geared to allow students to give an overview of the Global Competitive Index, also to share their view concerning the resolution leading to a mini-debate.

Finally at the debate on Monday 2nd February 2009 held at the Hyatt, our students made us extremely proud of their outstanding presentations and their victory in the debate. All students who participated were presented with certificates and prizes for their hard work and dedication.

We, The Petroleum Engineering Department and by extension the entire University of Trinidad and Tobago would like to extend special congratulations and best wishes to three of our very own: Randall Ballack, Patrice Joseph and Brenton Davy.