A total of 1700 students graduated between Wednesday and yesterday at the UTT’s O’Meara Campus in Arima.
Speaking at graduation ceremony on Wednesday, chairman of the Board of Governors of UTT Professor Kenneth Julien said T&T was in the midst of serious economic and social challenges and it was only with hard work, determination, a sense of community and national pride that the issues could be addressed.
Julien told the graduates that they were now in a better position to contribute to their family, community and country.
“In 2003, government took the important step of initiating the planning for a national university, the goal was to provide nationals with alternative opportunities for achieving quality tertiary level education in areas which would support national development,” he said.
President Anthony Carmona, Chancellor of the University, told the graduates that they must become more forceful advocates for just and worthy-causes.
“Even for those causes, which may be unpopular. Yours must be one that supports and defends the weak, the marginalized, the voiceless. Persons with disabilities and Mother Earth,” he said.
The honorees were:
Meiling Esau- Honorary Distinguished Fellow in Fine Arts
Michael Aboud, an Honorary Doctor of Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Chief Ricardo Bharath Hernandez- Honorary Distinguished Fellow
Frank Look Kin - Honorary Doctor of Energy
Aldwyn Lequay - Honorary Doctor of Energy
Aldwyn Roberts ‘Lord Kitchener’ - Honorary Doctor of Arts (Posthumous)