Trinidad and Tobago…[Del Charles/IAD Staff]
In following through with their Vision 2020 Plan to achieve first world status for undergraduate levels, the government of Trinidad and Tobago announced a few months ago that it would award a grant totaling USD $15.5 million to the University of Southern Caribbean (USC), an Adventist-operated institution.
The declaration of the grant was made during the Prime Minister’s budget speech to the nation. In his speech, the Honourable Patrick Manning emphasized the government’s focus toward a deepening and accelerating the on-going education reform at the elementary, secondary and tertiary levels to achieve world class status for Trinidad and Tobago. This is applicable to all accredited public and private tertiary institutions in the country, of which USC is a part.
’s budget speech to the nation. In his speech, the Honourable Patrick Manning emphasized the government’s focus toward a deepening and accelerating the on-going education reform at the elementary, secondary and tertiary levels to achieve world class status for Trinidad and Tobago. This is applicable to all accredited public and private tertiary institutions in the country, of which USC is a part.
USC is the first private institution in Trinidad and Tobago to receive this level of financial support from the government, university officials said.
Over the past two and a half years, the USC administration had been working with the government toward further financial support for its programs and overtures were made in this regard. It was in this context that a grant for over $15 million was awarded to the university to be paid for over a four-year period.
The grant includes provision for teaching facilities and infra structural development of the university. A portion has been allotted to construction of buildings and to civil works.
The funds will be used to build new residence halls, a school of business, an early childhood education center, a school of social sciences and a school of education.
Dr. Trevor Gardner, president of USC, said in a statement he is honored that the Adventist institution has been recognized by the government as one of the tertiary providers that can assist in the achievement of its Vision 20/20 plan. President Gardner is also very pleased that the government has accepted the contribution of the Adventist church toward nation building and has decided to lend its support for quality Christian education by providing much needed funding to continue the work at USC.
The University of Southern Caribbean is an accredited institution by the Accreditation Council of Trinidad and Tobago, offering a number of undergraduate and graduate degrees through its campus in Trinidad. The institution was established in 1927 and was upgraded to university status in 2006. For more information on USC and its programs, visit www.usc.edu.tt
