Senator Professor the Honourable Prakash Persad, Minister of Tertiary Education and Skills Training (MTEST), Senator the Honourable Kennedy Swaratsingh, Minister of Planning, Economic Affairs and Development joined by Mr. Hansen Narinesingh, Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Tertiary Education and Skills Training and Mr. Kurt Meyer, Permanent Secretary attended the Official Handover of the Solar PV Installation at the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT) San Fernando Campus on 17th September, 2025.

Mr. Ugo Blanco, Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Trinidad and Tobago gave the welcome address. Also delivering remarks at the ceremony were Professor Selwyn Cudjoe, Chairman of the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT) and Professor Rean Maharaj, President (Ag.) of UTT, Ms. Vashti Guyadeen, Chief Executive Officer of the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce and Ms. Evelina Melbarzde, Charge d’Affaires a.i. of the European Union (EU) Delegation to Trinidad and Tobago.

Senator Persad, in delivering remarks at the event, made a heartfelt plea to universities, encouraging them to become more involved in tackling the issue of climate change. “We have the potential to play a critical, essential role in ensuring we bring about economic diversification.”

Following the formal ceremony, Senator Persad unveiled the plaque for the UTT Solar Installation. The delegation was also led on a tour of the campus for a demonstration of the solar PV equipment and electric vehicle charging station.

This ceremony formed part of the Global Climate Change Alliance Plus (GCCA+) Project. The solar PV installation project, which was implemented by the UNDP and supported by the EU, aligns with the renewable energy agenda of the Ministry of Planning, Economic Affairs and Development.

Several primary and secondary schools have benefitted from the first phase of solar PV installations in the country, which involved twelve sites, including schools, community-based organisations and conservation centres.

This milestone at UTT’s San Fernando Campus marks a significant step toward a greener, more resilient future for Trinidad and Tobago. The Ministry of Tertiary Education and Skills Training remains committed to fostering innovation and sustainability.