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COSTAATT Celebrates 2024 Graduates, Highlighting Commitment to Innovation, Leadership, and Global Readiness
On November 30, 2024, COSTAATT hosted its 2024 Graduation Ceremony at the Centre of Excellence, Macoya, under the theme “Future Ready, Future Leaders.” Over 700 students graduated across more than 80 academic programmes, marking a major milestone in their educational journeys. The ceremony was attended by distinguished speakers, including The Honourable Lisa Morris-Julian, Minister in the Ministry of Education, COSTAATT President Dr. Keith Nurse, Chairman Professor Brian Copeland, and Ronald Hinds, Executive Chairman of Teleios Systems Limited.
Minister Morris-Julian, in her address, celebrated the graduates’ perseverance and hard work in overcoming the personal and academic challenges they faced. She also reaffirmed the Ministry of Education’s unwavering commitment to providing modern, quality, and equitable education. “At the Ministry of Education, we remain dedicated to ensuring that every student has access to an education that is relevant to today’s world, one that empowers them to meet the challenges of the future,” said Minister Morris-Julian. She emphasised that the Ministry is focused on supporting institutions like COSTAATT, which are integral in providing the transformative education necessary to develop future leaders.
Ronald Hinds, in his keynote address titled Embracing the Future – Skills for Tomorrow’s Life and Workforce, offered insights into the essential life and work skills required for navigating an unpredictable and rapidly changing world. Drawing on personal experiences, he encouraged graduates to develop their “Life Skills Bundle,” a mix of values, perspectives, and transferable skills that shape critical decision-making. Hinds highlighted principles such as adaptability, resilience, and the importance of embracing setbacks as opportunities for growth. He urged graduates to hold their plans lightly, remain open to change, and approach their futures with patience and perseverance.
Professor Copeland, Chairman of the COSTAATT Board of Trustees, offered congratulations to the graduates, stressing the significance of education as a transformative force in one’s life. He remarked, “Education is an eye-opening and mind-liberating force that provides everyone with a chance to attain unimaginable heights.” He acknowledged that while the journey ahead would not be easy, the challenges faced by graduates will build resilience, a vital trait for leaders.
Dr. Nurse, President of COSTAATT, reflected on the theme of the ceremony, “Future Ready, Future Leaders,” and urged the graduates to develop future skills such as courage, a global mindset, innovation, resilience, and ethics. “Your degree is not just a credential,” he said. “It is a toolkit for creating meaningful change.” Dr. Nurse challenged graduates to think beyond conventional boundaries and leverage their unique skills to create impact in their communities and professions.
During the ceremony, several prestigious awards were presented to standout graduates, including:
• Shivani Parsad, Bachelor Level Valedictorian (BBA Human Resource Management)
• Ryan Ramcharan, Associate Degree Level Valedictorian (AS Management Studies for the Protective Services)
• Gillian Mahon, recipient of the Library Association of Trinidad and Tobago (LATT) Top Graduate Award (Bachelor of Science in Information and Library Science)
• Janelle Toppin and Brittney Huggins, both recipients of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) Accounting Award (Bachelor of Arts in Accounting)
• Tourism Trinidad Limited, recipient of the COSTAATT Partnership Award for its exemplary service and long-standing commitment to the College.
COSTAATT’s commitment to shaping the future leaders of Trinidad and Tobago through accessible and innovative education was evident throughout the ceremony. The graduates are now equipped with the skills, knowledge, and resilience to thrive in an ever-changing world.
About COSTAATT:
COSTAATT was established in October 2000 by an Act of Parliament with the purpose of contributing to national and regional development, promoting social equity and advancing civil society. This mission is achieved by providing broad-based access to socially responsive and innovative educational programmes, and by engaging in scholarly work and applied research.
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