00:00The University of Trinidad and Tobago is taking a new approach to higher education by placing greater emphasis on national
00:07identity.
00:08The institution has officially launched its History and Culture series,
00:13a course aimed at helping students better understand Trinidad and Tobago's heritage, diversity and shared experiences.
00:21UTT President Professor Rain Maraj says the program represents more than just another addition to the curriculum.
00:27Today's launch represents much more than the introduction of another academic course.
00:37It represents a statement about who we are as a university and perhaps even more importantly, who we aspire to
00:49become.
00:49Professor Maraj says universities should be remembered not only for the qualifications they award,
00:56but also for the values and traditions they instill in their graduates.
01:01As a national university, we have always had a responsibility to produce graduates who are technically competent and professionally prepared.
01:13Equally important, however, is our responsibility to develop graduates who understand the nation they serve,
01:25appreciate its diversity, respect its heritage and recognize their role in shaping its future.
01:34According to the professor, the course will expose students to the country's rich and diverse history,
01:40from the journeys of the many peoples who settled here to the traditions and festivals that defined TNT's cultural landscape.
01:48But he says the program goes beyond learning historical facts.
01:53History helps us understand how we arrive here.
01:58Culture helps us understand who we are.
02:02Together, they help us determine where we are going.
02:08The UTT president believes a strong understanding of history and culture will also encourage innovation
02:13by giving students a deeper appreciation of the experiences that have shaped the nation.
02:19Innovation does not emerge in isolation.
02:23It is inspired by identity, enriched by culture, and strengthened by an understanding of the experiences that have shaped our
02:34people.
02:35When students understand the ideas, struggles, achievements, and diversity that have defined our nation,
02:46they are better equipped to imagine new possibilities, create innovative solutions,
02:55and contribute meaningfully to Trinidad and Tobago's future.
03:00The History and Culture series will form part of UTT's effort to produce graduates
03:05who are not only academically and professionally prepared,
03:09but also grounded in the nation's history, culture, and values.
03:14Charlotte Kisto, TV6 News.
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