The Public Service Academy under the Ministry of Public Administration, in conjunction with the University of the Southern Caribbean, has launched a two-day communications training workshop themed: Strategic Communications for Engaging Citizens Professional. The workshop is tailored to meet the needs of the important cadre of communications specialists within the various government ministries throughout Trinidad and Tobago.

The first round of the workshop was held on September 25th and 26th 2019, at the Ministry of Public Administration, National Library Building in Port-of-Spain. The training was facilitated by a team of professionals, including the experienced and decorated Lt. Col. (retired) Sharon Alfonso-Farrell, who is the highest-ever-ranking woman in the TT military. She is now Chief Protocol and Information Officer of the Caribbean Court of Justice. Her training segments focused insightfully on “Communication in the Public Sector” “Event Planning and Protocol” and “Communication During a Crisis”.  Her insights and experiential references redounded to the benefit of all in attendance, based on the questions posed by participants. 

The three other presenters are all experienced members of the university community. 

Mr. Josh Rudder, the Coordinator of the Integrated Marketing and Communications department at USC, delved into his corporate experience and personal training to address the topics of “Social Media Management” “Corporate Branding and Media Management” and “Communications and the Law”. These were critical themes for the information brokers who participated in the workshop.  

Mrs. Sherri-Lyn Legall, Associate Professor in the School of Business, Entrepreneurship and Continuing/Professional Studies, was well received as she attempted to remedy the flawed practice of communicators in her session “Presenting with Professionalism”. 

The fourth presenter was Ms. Shelley Lyons, Instructor in the School of Education & Humanities, who targeted two specially requested areas of “Business Writes”, which dealt with the common communication formats used by government communicators, as well as the growing threat to individuals, citizens and government in “Managing the Phenomenon of Fake News”. 

This workshop was a welcome intervention for the approximately 15 participants and coordinators. Present at the event was also Mrs. Denise Phillip, Director of the Public Service Academy and Mr. Claudelle McKellar, Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Public Administration. Attendees were given Certificates of Participation.

Soon another batch of government communicators will benefit from this round of training. Both USC and the Public Service Academy are to be commended for partnering on this venture.

In response to the local and regional demand for Occupational Therapists (OT), The University of Southern Caribbean (USC) has become the first and only tertiary level institution in the Caribbean to offer a Master of Science programme in Occupational Therapy.  In January, the Digicel Foundation donated US$14,815 to USC to retrofit a training lab for OT students in the programme. The new facility was officially unveiled on September 11 at the Maracas, St. Joseph campus.  

The Digicel Foundation Occupational Therapy Simulation & Resource Lab is designed as a demo living space, equipped with specialized equipment to facilitate hands-on practical therapy for persons with disabilities. The Foundation continues to invest millions in programmes and initiatives that advance the lives of persons with disabilities. The partnership with USC promises to provide OT support to special needs schools, with OT masters students claiming practicum hours while delivering a well sought after service to this underserved community.   

The Management and faculty of the University of the Southern Caribbean (USC) expressed their heartfelt thanks to the Digicel Foundation for the partnership. Sharing her thoughts at the opening ceremony, Dr. Wanda Chesney, Associate Provost of USC, conveyed her thanks and appreciation stating, “The collaborative efforts with the Foundation had only just begun. This initiative will have a far-reaching impact on educators and students focused on working with the special needs community.” 

Currently, there is one Occupational Therapist employed in the public school system with only 26 registered occupational therapists, which highlights the need for this specialized profession. Desha Clifford, Chairperson of the Digicel Foundation commented, “This new partnership with the USC’s Occupational Therapy Department further complements the Foundation’s special needs portfolio, making our initiatives even more sustainable.  There is a huge gap in affordable therapy-related services for persons with special needs, a gap the Foundation in its way is bridging with the help of all our stakeholders.” 

In 2014, the Digicel Foundation implemented a Therapy Based Education Programme in 15 special needs schools throughout Trinidad and Tobago. The initiative was facilitated by the A&C Foundation, an Irish based therapy organisation, and included specialised equipment for the schools, training and development of personalised educational plans for students and parent engagement strategies to progress learning objectives. The USC partnership also built on this intervention with the placement of three practicum students at special education institutes and two other students who will use recent reports and findings from the Therapy-based Education Programme to inform their research. 

The Foundation continues to find innovative strategies and collaborations with public and private sector to support the advancement of persons with special needs through education, sport, therapy and activities that foster inclusion.  

The University of the Southern Caribbean (“the USC”) outrightly rejects misleading statements published in an article carried by the Trinidad and Tobago Newsday on Sunday 29th September 2019, captioned, ‘Rough times at USC’.  No opportunity was given to the USC for comment and verification before this article was published. The USC takes these allegations very seriously since they go against the principles and core values of our institution. The university has referred this matter to its attorneys for a full response. 

The USC will vigorously defend its good name and reputation against any false allegations of fraudulent activity in relation to the fulfilment of its requirements as an accredited institution of higher learning; particularly as it relates to students’ true and accurate academic course participation and examination. 

The USC has never, under any circumstance, compromised these standards and obligations for the benefit of any student.  The USC categorically and unequivocally denies that it has ever been involved in any aspect of examination fraud. The University holds to the highest values and standards and has strict policies on how it conducts its affairs. 

The USC is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for its students and staff.  The USC assures all students, faculty, staff, personnel and the public that it takes seriously all complaints and thoroughly investigates them in strict compliance with its administrative and disciplinary procedures, in accordance with good industrial relations practice, sound legal principles and the rules of natural justice.

The USC offers a range of associate, undergraduate and graduate programs through its six schools and more than 40 fields of study. As can be expected from such a large entity, it is not a static organization. With the introduction of different courses and educational objectives as well as a diverse student body and sub-cultures from various groups, different challenges may arise from time-to-time. The USC is committed to meeting them head-on with a proactive and constructive approach for the advancement of tertiary education. 

Due to the inclement weather conditions and for the safety of our students, faculty and staff, the University of the Southern Caribbean’s Main campus, South campus and Tobago campus will be closed on Monday 23rd September 2019. 

All essential campus services will be given further guidance from their respective supervisors. 

We do apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and we pray that you and your loved ones remain safe during this period. 

The President, Dr. Hilary Bowman, and Administration of the University of the Southern Caribbean extends heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Lesley Garcia, Director of the Master’s in Occupational Therapy Programme for being awarded the competitive and prestigious Marie Sklodowska-Curie Innovative Training Network Fellowship.

With this fellowship Dr. Garcia will embark on studies and research in Dementia leading to the award of a Ph.D at the University of Nottingham in England.

As part of USC’s preparation to offer the Master’s in Occupational Therapy Programme, Dr. Garcia was awarded a scholarship by USC and Loma Linda University to pursue a Doctorate in Occupational Therapy. Upon completion, Dr. Garcia joined the faculty at USC in March 2015 and developed the MSOT programme.  

Under Dr. Garcia’s leadership as the Director of the Department of MSOT, the MSOT programme was approved by ACTT in December 2015 and it was approved by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists in March 2016.  The MSOT was launched in September 2016 and the first cohort of (8) eight students graduated from the programme in July 2019.  USC is the only university offering an accredited MSOT programme in the Caribbean.

As Dr. Garcia proceeds on study leave from October 2019, we take this opportunity to commend her for her outstanding contribution to the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences and more specifically, the Master’s in Occupational Therapy Programme.  We are grateful for her leadership and we are proud of her accomplishments.  We wish her success and God’s blessings in her studies.

Her Excellency Makeda Antoine-Cambridge, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Trinidad and Tobago to the United Nations, recently visited her alma mater, the University of the Southern Caribbean (USC), and made momentous scholarship presentations to two outstanding University students; Chevaughn Joseph and Christel Simon.

This particular USC Scholarship Program, also known as ‘The Makeda Antoine Excellence Award’, was established by Genesis – the Movement, a non-government organisation founded by H.E. Antoine-Cambridge. It is specifically for female students from Trinidad and Tobago at USC, with a GPA above 3.5, and pursuing a B.S. in Computing. Two scholarships are awarded annually at a total value of $13,000 (TTD). 

At the special presentation event, hosted by the University’s Student Services and Enrolment Management Department, H.E. Antoine-Cambridge gave the featured address and shared her personal and experience as a Computer Science major at USC. Antoine-Cambridge shared the crucial importance of never allowing your fears to have control over you, but thriving to be your best in everything you do in spite of any challenges.

In attendance to witness the grand occasion were several University officials including USC’s Provost – Dr. Leon C. Wilson; Onesi La Fleur – VP, Student Services & Enrolment Management; as well as several department and faculty heads; and members of the Associated Student Body (ASB).

The full photo album can be viewed on the University’s Facebook page.

~ Ends ~

H.E. Makeda Antoine-Cambridge Presents Scholarships to Two Computing Students

Maracas Valley – 9^th September 2019:  On a recent visitation, Her Excellence Makeda Antoine-Cambridge, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Trinidad and Tobago to the United Nations visited at her alma mater, the University of the Southern Caribbean (USC), and made momentous scholarship presentations to the two outstanding students; Chevaughn Joseph and Christel Simon. 

The USC Scholarship Program, also known as ‘The Makeda Antoine Excellence Award’, was established by Genesis – the Movement, a non-government organisation founded by H.E. Antoine-Cambridge. It is specifically for female students from Trinidad and Tobago at USC, with a GPA above 3.5, and pursuing a B.S. in Computing. Two scholarships are awarded annually at a total value of $13,000 (TTD).

At the special presentation event, hosted by the University’s Student Services and Enrolment Management Department, H.E. Antoine-Cambridge gave the featured address and shared her personal and monumental experience as a Computer Science major at USC. Antoine-Cambridge shared the crucial importance of never allowing your fears to have control over you, but thriving to be your best in everything you do in spite of any challenges.