Dr. Michael Dowlath, Chairman - Remarks at ACTT's Excellence in Higher Education Awards Ceremony

CHAIRMAN’S WELCOME REMARKS

EXCELLENCE IN HIGHER EDUCATION AWARDS CEREMONY
THURSDAY OCTOBER 31, 2013 AT 6:30 P.M. HYATT REGENCY TRINIDAD
PORT OF SPAIN BALLROOM


Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to the “Excellence
in Higher Education Awards Ceremony 2013” being hosted by The Accreditation Council of Trinidad and
Tobago.

This Ceremony marks the culmination of the Council’s activities held to commemorate Quality
Assurance Month 2013.

It gives me great pride to say that this is the Council’s 6th successful annual Quality Assurance
Month. This year’s theme was "Sustaining Quality in Higher Education: Changing Challenges into
Opportunities”.

As is done annually, Quality Assurance Month 2013 featured several activities aimed at promoting
quality assurance in higher education, which further served to advance the Council’s statutory
mandate pursuant to Chapter 39:06 of the Laws of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. The
activities were also aimed at sensitising the population on the Council’s services, roles and
responsibilities in the higher education sector. Moreover, Quality Assurance Month provided the
Council with the opportunities to strengthen its relationships with stakeholders and the public in
general.

Aside from tonight’s ceremony, the highlights of QA month 2013 included panel discussions. These
discussions addressed a number of relevant topics, “Aligning Higher Education and Training with
Labour Market  Needs”  and  “Challenges  Facing  Local  Higher  Education

Institutions in a Globalised Environment”. Having attended some of the Quality Assurance Month
activities, I can tell you that the panel discussions were lively and thought provoking.

Stakeholder consultations on the Council’s draft National Qualifications and Credit Framework
(“NQCF”) were held in San Fernando, Mt Hope and Tobago. There was also the annual External
Evaluator Training Workshop.

The Council held its annual Credential Fraud Workshop entitled “Degrees of Deception: Fighting
Credential and CV Fraud”, which was conducted in collaboration with the National Recognition
Information Centre for the United Kingdom (UK NARIC). At this Workshop 160 participants were
trained in the most recent techniques to detect fraudulent credentials and curriculum vitae.

There was the 3rd National Essay Writing Competition for 5th and 6th formers and undergraduate
students. Prizes to the winners will be presented this evening.

Further, there was the National Quiz for Quality Assurance in Higher Education. This was a keenly
contested event with Bishop’s High School of Tobago emerging as winners. I must pause to tell you
that at the end, with the competition behind them, the four (4) teams displayed a camaraderie that
was impressive and admirable and the Council’s staff was so delighted to have witnessed this.

Post secondary and tertiary institutions were also invited to make submissions towards one or more
award for the Quality in Tertiary Education (QuITE) Awards and the Research in Higher Education
(Individual) Awards. This evening QuITE Awards will be presented to institutions which demonstrated
excellence in the areas of Quality Management Systems, Student Support Services and Preparedness
for Change.

In addition, the Excellence in Applied and Academic Research awards will be presented. These will
give recognition to the accomplishments of outstanding individuals who have conducted or are
conducting research in higher education.

A special award will be given to the first and only institution in Trinidad and Tobago to be
registered as a Local Awarding Body.

The 9th institution to be granted Institutional Accredited Status by the Council will be presented
with its certificate.

Adding to the esteem of this evening, it gives me great pleasure to announce that the Council’s
Journal of Quality Assurance in Higher Education, which was launched at last year’s QuITE Awards
Ceremony, has now been published and copies shall be made available from this evening. I would
particularly like to express gratitude to the contributors, editors and the Journal Committee for
the high standard of their respective contributions toward making this publication a reality. It is
anticipated that this Journal, which will also be available on the Council’s website, will provide
the Council with local, regional and international exposure in the arena of Quality Assurance in
Higher Education and will further serve to advance the dialogue relating to ensuring that standards
of excellence are maintained in our higher education sector.

Ladies and gentlemen, in conclusion, on behalf of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of
the Council, I take this opportunity to extend heartfelt congratulations to all participants in our
Quality Assurance Month’s activities. We were happy for and encourage your continued involvement in
the Council’s activities. On behalf of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of the Council,
I further express our thanks to our sponsors, judges, facilitators and stakeholders and  to  the  
people  of  Trinidad  and  Tobago  for  partnering  with  the
Council  to  ensure  the  resounding  success  of  yet  another  Quality

Assurance month. Thank you for your presence and I do hope you enjoy
this evening’s proceedings.