USC Hosts 15th Annual Research Day
Under the auspices of USC’s Charter Week 2021 which commemorates fifteen years of University Status, the Department of Research and Innovation presents its 15th Annual Research Day. For the first time, USC’s Research Day will be hosted virtually under the theme: Education in Transition: Moving Beyond a Pandemic Response.
Given the COVID-19 pandemic, the educational landscape has dramatically transitioned from the traditional face to face teaching and learning experiences to remote mode on a digital platform.
Presentations will focus on the challenges, opportunities, innovative approaches in the diverse disciplines of study – health and medical care, management strategies, promoting student-centric culture, entrepreneurship, unemployment issues, online education and counselling, teacher-student attitudes and beliefs, home-schooling, national security issues and food consumption during the COVID-19 pandemic.
On March 10 & 11, 2021 presenters from Africa, Asia, the USA, South America and the Caribbean will participate in auspicious event inaugurated by The Honourable Minister Dr. Nyan Gadsy-Dolly, Minister of Education, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.
USC’s 15th Annual Research Day will conclude with a lively Round Table Discussion facilitated by Sen. Paul Richards, Independent Senator in the Parliament, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. Panelists from various Adventist Universities will focus on theme: Moving Beyond a Pandemic Response. Panelists will highlight their success stories and effective strategies undertaken during the pandemic.
As a pre-cursor, USC’s 5th Annual Public Lecture Series will see a feature presentation by Dr. Leslie N. Pollard, President of the Oakwood University. Dr. Pollard’s presentation will also reflect on the theme: Education in Transition: Moving Beyond a Pandemic Response.
For more information and to view a full schedule of activity: https://usc.edu.tt/researchday/
- Published in News, Research and Innovation
USC Assists Student Whose Home Lost in Fire
On Sunday, February 14, 2021, Nneka McNeil-Green lost her San Fernando home to a fire. The 4th-year Biology major lived with her mother and three siblings. The devastating loss of their home came just two weeks after Nneka lost her father to a fatal asthma attack.
USC’s Office of Spiritual Development reached out to Nneka to assess her family’s needs, and subsequently coordinated collaborative relief efforts.
Combined with financial assistance to help with any immediate needs, Nneka and her family were temporarily relocated and housed in a fully furnished and stocked apartment at the Married Students Complex.
On Sunday, February 21, 2021, USC’s I-Provide Ministry Team coordinated and assisted a renovation exercise of another property owned by the family but had fallen to disrepair. Collaborating with USC’s I-Provide Ministry Team were Pastor Lyndon Lewis and his wife Alice Lewis, and members of the Rainy Temple SDA Church. This San Fernando congregation also provided food, man-power, and other valuable assistance in helping the family to settle into the new location. The new home is presently being transformed into a livable dwelling, but still does not have basic amenities.
This is an ongoing relief effort and donations towards helping Nneka with scholarship funding, electronic items, appliances, and home furnishings are welcomed. To find out how you can provide assistance, please contact USC’s Office of Spiritual Development at (868) 612-4USC (4872) ext. 1170.
- Published in News
Intellectual Debating is Alive & Well at USC
On Thursday November 12, 2020, at 2:30pm, the University of the Southern Caribbean Economics Department fielded a team of debaters in the annual COTE Tertiary Debating Competition.
The theme: Be it resolved that International Financial Institutions are crucial for mitigating the impact of the Corona Virus pandemic in the Caribbean.
The USC Debating Team was comprised as follows:
- 1st Speaker for the Proposition – Gershom Byng
- 2nd Speaker for the Proposition – Mickael Walters
- Team Researcher – Velvet Benicourt
We looked forward with great anticipation to maintaining the Championship Trophy but alas our opponents, UWI Roytec edged us out in the finals. We congratulate them on their success! Though securing the 2nd place, the USC team is confident that at the very earliest opportunity, they can reclaim the trophy at the next debate.
Dr. Stephen Pilgrim, recently appointed Professor of Economics, was the lead coach for the team and he was ably supported by the Chair of Department – Esther Cedeno as well as, the Acting Dean of the School of Business & Entrepreneurship, Sherri-Lyn Legall. We also acknowledge the sterling contribution of Duane Winchester, an adjunct Economics Lecturer in the School of Business & Entrepreneurship. We also express thanks to Mr. Dwight Francis and team, as well as several others for their invaluable support in preparation for the day of the Debate.
The spirit of togetherness and positivity was very real among the team members, and among the Economics students as a whole, who regularly attended debate practice sessions, along with the teachers indicated above. The determination of the Economics debaters, augers well for the future of the Economics Academic Program at USC. It is the hope that this form of intellectual curiosity and rigor would characterize a desirable style of learning throughout USC, going forward. Further, we hope to strengthen the pursuit of scholarly research and raise awareness and enthusiasm among students and faculty alike.
We salute our team!
- Published in News
Virtual Conferral Ceremony
On Friday, October 9, 2020, at 10:00am the University of the Southern Caribbean shall confer degrees upon the members of the Class of 2020 who have met all of their requirements, marking the completion of their academic program.
You are cordially invited to this Virtual Conferral Ceremony in support of our approximately 600 graduands.
Join us live at the following links:
USC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/usctt/
USC YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/USCTrinidad
- Published in News
USC offers virtual classes for 1st Semester 2020/2021
The University of the Southern Caribbean wishes to advise that classes for its first semester of the 2020/2021 School Year will be offered virtually.
The government of Trinidad and Tobago has been successfully managing the challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic over the past months through the enforcement of various innovative strategies. Some of the strategies include closure of Educational Institutions as well as the closure of the “borders” to commercial traffic. However, while educational institutions will be allowed to reopen their doors in September, there remains uncertainty as it relates to the reopening of the borders. This will greatly impact the University’s international students and their ability to travel to Trinidad to attend classes for the first semester.
In an effort to ensure that new and continuing students are not debarred from pursuing their degrees, all the courses for the first semester will be offered remotely via online and zoom. All labs and classes with practical components will be offered through the face to face modality.
Students who are required to complete classes with labs, as well as students who are required to complete practicum/internship courses, are asked to contact the Dean or Chair of their School for the details regarding lab completion and practicum/internship hours.
- Published in News
USC establishes its Student Relief Fund due to COVID-19
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the financial impact it has had, the University of the Southern Caribbean has established a Student Relief Fund.
The Student Relief Fund is an effort which engages all stakeholders of the USC community and friends to support our students through this period of financial crisis. It will officially be launched on Thursday 14th May, 2020 at 5:00pm and will be streamed live on Facebook and YouTube.
How will our students benefit?
- Subsidized tuition fees for non-GATE students.
- Subsidized registration fees for GATE students.
We request your support by way of personal fundraising and we also encourage you to support by your attendance, participation and promotion of the University’s upcoming crowd fundraising activities which includes online concerts, webinars and more. Further details of these upcoming events will be shared in subsequent correspondence.
For further information, kindly contact:
Chairman, Student Relief Fund
How you can contribute:
a. Online Donation
Account Name: USC Donations
To make a payment/donation using Third Party Payment Key
i. Go to Aeorion’s home page at aeorion.usc.edu.tt
ii. Click on the Third Party Payment link
iii. Enter the Third Party Payment Key 47938727, then proceed
iv. Fill out the Credit Card details and Billing information
v. Click on Pay Now
vi. An email will be sent to the user as confirmation of payment
b. Wire transfer
Beneficiary: University of the Southern Caribbean
Beneficiary Address: Maracas Royal Road, St. Joseph
Beneficiary Account Number: 1000 180 103 16573
Beneficiary Bank Name: RBC Bank T&T Ltd.
Beneficiary Name Bank Address: St. Augustine Shopping Centre, EMR, St. Augustine
Swift Code: RBTTTTPX
Thank you for your continued support and may God Bless you.
Hilary Bowman
President
- Published in News
USC closes its campus & transitions to its academic plan
Dear USC Community:
I wish to thank you for your continued cooperation and resilience in these unprecedented times.
The University continues to closely monitor the spread of COVID-19 throughout Trinidad and Tobago and the region, especially as additional cases, have been confirmed. We are taking all necessary precautions in line with the recommendations by the Government of Trinidad and Tobago and all regional governments and as a result, we wish to provide you with the following updates:
- With immediate effect our Main campus, South and Tobago extension campuses will be closed until April 20, 2020.
- Effective March 23, 2020 until further notice, all classes will be conducted virtually via a distance education approach. Full details of this plan is available on the USC website.
- The week of the 16th – 19th March is our week of transition to Distance Learning. During this period, the School of Distance Education will commence training for all faculty and students to facilitate the distance learning model. Lecturers will take this time to load all their information on Aeorion (our student management system) in preparation of teaching via distance by the week of the 23rd March until the end of the semester.
- Our residence halls will be closed from March 22, 2020 until further advised. We encourage our international students residing at our dormitories to return home to their loved ones at this time. Any student having challenges meeting this date kindly liaise with your dean.
- Residents living on our main campus are kindly asked to follow all the essential health practices as outlined by the Ministry of Health and also notify the command centre if and whenever you are expecting external visitors.
Kindly note the following key contact details:
Command Centre / Head of Security
Stevenson Byng
+(868) 787.2099
byng@usc.edu.tt
Senior Safety Officer
Ellen Sorzano-John
+(868) 688.4237
sorzano@usc.edu.tt
Health Services
Shelly Ann Madansingh
+(868)471.7469
madansinghs@usc.edu.tt
Office of the Provost / Academic Administration
Dr. Wanda Chesney, Provost (Ag.)
+ (868) 499.6603
chesneyw@usc.edu.tt
Dean of Distance Education
Dr. Leroy Hill
+(868) 773.0400
hill@usc.edu.tt
Marketing & Communication
Josh Rudder
+(868) 474.1181
rudderj@usc.edu.tt
We will keep you the university community updated as circumstances evolve. For additional information, please visit the USC website.
Sincerely,
Dr. Hilary Bowman
President
- Published in News
USC closes its campus & transitions to its academic plan
Dear USC Community:
I wish to thank you for your continued cooperation and resilience in these unprecedented times.
The University continues to closely monitor the spread of COVID-19 throughout Trinidad and Tobago and the region especially as additional cases have been confirmed. We are taking all necessary precautions in line with the recommendations by the Government of Trinidad and Tobago and all regional governments and as a result, we wish to provide you with the following updates:
- With immediate effect our Main campus, South and Tobago extension campuses will be closed until April 20, 2020.
- Effective March 23, 2020 until further notice, all classes will be conducted virtually via a distance education approach. Full details of this plan is available on the USC website.
- The week of the 16th – 19th March is our week of transition to Distance Learning. During this period, the School of Distance Education will commence training for all faculty and students to facilitate the distance learning model. Lecturers will take this time to load all their information on Aeorion (our student management system) in preparation of teaching via distance by the week of the 23rd March until the end of the semester.
- Our residence halls will be closed from March 22, 2020 until further advised. We encourage our international students residing at our dormitories to return home to their loved ones at this time. Any student having challenges meeting this date kindly liaise with your dean.
- Residents living on our main campus are kindly asked to follow all the essential health practices as outlined by the Ministry of Health and also notify the command centre if and whenever you are expecting external visitors.
Kindly note the following key contact details:
Command Centre / Head of Security
Stevenson Byng
+(868) 787.2099
byng@usc.edu.tt
Senior Safety Officer
Ellen Sorzano-John
+(868) 688.4237
sorzano@usc.edu.tt
Health Services
Shelly Ann Madansingh
+(868)471.7469
madansinghs@usc.edu.tt
Office of the Provost / Academic Administration
Dr. Wanda Chesney, Provost (Ag.)
+ (868) 499.6603
chesneyw@usc.edu.tt
Dean of Distance Education
Dr. Leroy Hill
+(868) 773.0400
hill@usc.edu.tt
Marketing & Communication
Josh Rudder
+(868) 474.1181
rudderj@usc.edu.tt
We will keep you the university community updated as circumstances evolve. For additional information, please visit the USC website.
Sincerely,
Dr. Hilary Bowman
President
- Published in News
COVID-19 Update: Closure of extension campuses
Dear USC Community:
Happy Sabbath to you!
By way of a further update kindly be advised that effective March 14, 2020 all our extension campuses will be closed for one week in an effort to curtail the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
On this Sabbath Day let us continue to be vigilant and thank God for His continued protection.
Dr. Hilary Bowman
President
- Published in News
USC COVID-19 Update!
Dear USC Community:
We have some important updates to share with you.
Last evening we were informed via a televised news conference involving the Minister of Health and the Minister of national security of the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, that Trinidad and Tobago recorded its first COVID-19 case.
In anticipation of this reality the university has put immediate measures in place and wishes to provide you with the following updates:
- Effective tomorrow, our main campus, south campus and Tobago campus will be closed for one week in keeping with the Government of Trinidad and Tobago’s decision to curtail the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
- With immediate effect, all major campus events and activities are cancelled. These include: Olympiad, Blitz, International Students Week and others.
- An isolation unit is being established for our international students living on the dormitories.
- Thorough sanitization measures are being implemented campus-wide and will include the acquisition of hand-sanitizer dispensers.
- All campus meals be served “take away”, thus reducing the number of gatherings on campus.
- A Campus Disaster Management Command Centre has been established at the Campus Security Building and Commanded by the Chief Security Officer, Steve Byng.
- Our health services department will share pertinent COVID-19 information, which will be determined via email and the university’s website.
As we continue to take all the necessary steps and precautions to protect our entire USC community, the long-term closure of our campuses is an active consideration and all the necessary contingency measures are being prepared in case of this eventuality.
As we continue to keep you updated, it is important that you take steps to reduce the transmission to the spreading of COVID-19. Kindly also pay attention to the following:
- Wash your hands frequently with warm, soapy water for at least 20 seconds.
- Cover your mouth with tissues whenever you sneeze, and discard used tissues in the trash.
- Avoid people who are sick with respiratory symptoms.
- Clean frequently touched surfaces.
- In closing, as a faith-based community we do believe in the power of hope and prayer. Let us continue to seek God in prayer for the protection of all our students, faculty, staff, families, our neighbours and loved ones. We serve an all powerful and mighty God as we expect this trial to pass through the blood of Jesus.
Sincerely,
Dr. Hilary Bowman
President
- Published in News