Garcia meets with UTT board

Education Minister Anthony Garcia, Minister of State in the Education Ministry Dr Lovell Francis, along with senior ministry officials, yesterday met with the Board of Governors of the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT) to address concerns of financial challenges the institution has been facing.

The discussions were held at the Education Tower to address cost saving measures, maintaining the academic quality of the university, internal auditing and programme rationalisation. The cordial discussions focused on finding solutions to the challenges the university is facing while acknowledging the current economic climate of the country. Currently, the UTT has embarked upon internal auditing that will inform how the university can move forward with its allocated finances.

The report from this audit has not yet been completed and once complete a subsequent meeting will be held to review and implement, where necessary, the recommended solutions. The overarching theme central to the discussions held today, was the maintenance of quality education delivery to the over 7000 students at the UTT. All stakeholders at the meeting agreed that any cost saving measures to be instituted must not compromise the standard and quality of academic delivery and service provided to students.

The public issue of possible job cuts was also discussed however, more information was needed and is to be obtained from the internal audit. It was agreed that any decisions taken will consider the members of the academic and non-academic staff at the institution and how they would be impacted.

Also centering on student benefits, the team discussed a review and rationalisation of programmes the UTT offers to decrease duplication, maintain financial prudence and give the best options to existing and potential students.