Mr. Adrian Dipchand, Subject Matter Expert at the National Energy Skills Centre – Technical Institute (NESC-TI) experiencing Virtual Reality content provided by UWI Global Campus, Digital Learning Innovation (UWIGC DLI).

The UWI Global Campus, Digital Learning Innovation. Tuesday, December 12, 2023 — In a landmark move following their triumph as the 1st prize winners in a high profile TVET competition, the National Energy Skills Centre Technical Institute (NESC – TI) of Trinidad and Tobago, represented by Mr. Kofi Toney, Senior Manager, Curriculum and Teaching Services, NESC-TI has embarked on a pioneering collaboration with The University of the West Indies Global Campus (UWIGC),  Digital Learning Innovation (DLI) Unit led by Mrs. Karen Rosemin, Head DLI. 

This strategic collaboration follows NESC-TI’s notable victory at the 6^th International Conference on Technical, Vocational Education and Training in the Caribbean, held in Kingston, Jamaica in May 2023, and marks the beginning of a transformative journey in TVET education in Trinidad and Tobago.

The primary focus is to enhance Trinidad and Tobago’s skills training in the energy sector. This sector is pivotal to the national economy and has demonstrated considerable growth, with recent trends indicating a complex but promising landscape for natural gas production and export revenue. The application of advanced, immersive eXtended Reality (XR) technologies aims to elevate the quality and effectiveness of training in this integral sector.

The NESC-TI team was introduced to the potential of XR technology by the DLI in an energetic meeting held on November 2, 2023 at NESC-TI’s compound at Point Lisas. This cutting-edge technology, renowned for creating realistic, interactive training environments, is expected to revolutionize TVET training in the country. XR technologies in TVET promise enhanced engagement, superior knowledge retention, and the capability to simulate real-world scenarios in a risk-free setting.

The collaboration gained practical momentum with specialized training sessions led by Mr. Riaz Baldeo, Digital Strategist and Training Specialist, DLI. These sessions concentrated on utilizing XR tools to develop both augmented and virtual reality lessons, emphasizing the creation of 3D and 360-degree immersive learning experiences. This initiative is geared towards enriching NESC-TI’s educational offerings, aligning with the nation’s growing demand for highly skilled professionals in the energy sector.

This collaboration represents a significant leap in integrating state-of-the-art technology into TVET, setting a new benchmark for technical education in the Caribbean. It exemplifies the commitment to educational innovation and signifies a promising future for technical and vocational training in the Region. 

The UWI Global Campus remains committed to nurturing such innovative partnerships, enhancing the capabilities of educators and educational institutions across the Caribbean.