The National Institute of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (NIHERST) was established as a statutory body by Republic of Trinidad and Tobago Act No. 20 of 1984, now Chapter 39:58, to promote the development of science, technology and higher education in Trinidad and Tobago.  Through NIHERST’s line ministry, the Ministry of Science Technology and Tertiary Education, some major institutional reforms are currently taking place in the science, technology and tertiary education sector in the country, which will result in the integration of NIHERST into the University of Trinidad and Tobago.

Science, technology and innovation (STI) are considered major contributors to the nation’s economic and social development and in particular the attainment of the goal of developed country status by 2020.  The Government of Trinidad and Tobago has therefore committed itself to the integration of STI into the activities of every sector.

NIHERST supports the Government’s vision by:

• helping to promote and develop Trinidad and Tobago’s intellectual, institutional and social capacity to create and innovate using science and technology, which involves developing capacity in applied research and development; supporting education and training in science and technology; and fostering a national ethos and culture of STI; and

• serving as a focal point and co-ordinating agency for national, regional and international STI initiatives.

One vehicle used for fostering a national S&T ethos and culture is the NIHERST/NGC National Science Centre, the first of its kind in the Caribbean.  The programmes of the centre (which include inter alia Community Science Weeks, Sci-TechKnoFest, the Caribbean Youth Science Forum and the Science Whizz Competition) seek to illustrate how science and technology permeate all aspects of daily life, and to reduce the barriers between science and society.  NIHERST's commitment to building its expertise in science popularisation, and its experience and technical know-how, particularly in exhibit design and construction, has positioned it as a unique institutional resource.

The activities of the Innovations Unit are specifically geared to developing creativity, as well as innovative and ‘technopreneurial’ thinking and skills.  Through the Unit, the Institute is playing a pioneering role in the development of a National Innovation System.  In addition to co-ordinating the biennial Prime Minister’s Award for Innovation and Invention, the Unit conducts Cre8tivity and Technopreneurship Camps for children and creativity workshops for teachers.

The Science Communications Unit aims to popularise science via the print and electronic media.  This unit has developed several documentaries that have been popularly aired on local television channels.  The unit has also produces “ infomercials” for the print media and is working toward the development of a radio programme to further make the population more science literate.

NIHERST’s S&T Statistics Unit compiles data to inform S&T policy formulation and planning.  It develops and collects data on key indicators of developments in science, technology and innovation in Trinidad and Tobago.  The International Projects Unit serves as the national and/or regional liaison for many international agencies such as the Organisation of American States (OAS), Caribbean Council for Science and Technology (CCST), International Centre for Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology (ICGEB), Inter-American Committee on Science and Technology (COMCYT), and Global Water Partnership-Caribbean (GWP-C).

Some History

In higher education NIHERST laid the foundation for the rationalisation of the national tertiary-level education sector.  In 1996, the Government mandated that NIHERST spearhead the establishment of a national community college.  This college was established as a legal entity by Act No. 77 of 2000 and is known as the College of Science, Technology and Applied Arts of Trinidad and Tobago (COSTAATT).  COSTAATT unites several tertiary education institutions in the public sector and the former NIHERST Colleges under one umbrella.

In the past, NIHERST was also the national agency dealing with accreditation issues, assessing and advising on the recognition of post-secondary programmes and awards offered by national, regional and international institutions and providers.  In 1994 Cabinet empowered NIHERST to establish a national accrediting agency to perform "Full Accreditation Functions" and in 2004 the Accreditation Council of Trinidad and Tobago (ACTT) was established by Act No. 16 of 2004.  Besides being instrumental in the establishment of ACTT, NIHERST was also involved at the regional level in the establishment of a regional accreditation mechanism.

Looking to the Future

NIHERST is currently poised to become integrated into the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT).  With this in mind, the organisation is collaborating with the UTT on some of its projects.  UTT in turn is being supported by NIHERST in a few of its undertakings, notably UTT’s Service Learning initiative.  NIHERST has assisted the UTT in this endeavour by obtaining the requisite expertise and taking a leading role in consultations being held across the country to provide input into this initiative.

Updated: May 2007