NIHERST and IEEE Build the Next Generation of Local Engineers and Scientists

Through a memorandum of cooperation with NIHERST initiated by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Trinidad and Tobago Section, local students will enjoy access to educational programs, exhibits and materials produced by the IEEE. IEEE is the world's largest professional association dedicated to advancing technological innovation and excellence for the benefit of humanity.

The first outcome of this memorandum will enable NIHERST to incorporate IEEE E-Scientia Exhibits at the NIHERST National Science Centre, soon to be Science City, and its various outreach programs. These interactive exhibits enable pre-university students, teachers and the public to learn and/or improve their understanding of key principles of science and engineering, and their applications. The exhibits are presented in a large, space-ship like environment equipped with modern computational, electric circuit hardware and audio visual equipment. Students use this equipment to solve challenges posed during a simulated space flight. Challenges are based on energy, monitoring and detection, sensing of the environment, communication, and biomedical measurements. Students will receive real-time training on how to address them as well as use circuit components and devices to implement hardware solutions. NIHERST Chairman, Prof. Prakash Persad saw strong STEM education resulting from this initiative as being necessary to produce good economic fruits.

IEEE E-Scientia Exhibits are featured in science and technology centres around the globe including in China, India, and Uruguay which gave its full support to this landmark collaboration in the Caribbean region. Managing Director, IEEE Educational Activities, Dr. Douglas Gorham commented that; "IEEE is pleased that this partnership will enable IEEE E-Scientia to be featured at the NIHERST National Science Centre. This exhibit will engage and expose students in Trinidad and Tobago to the application of engineering and computing to solve problems. We hope this exhibit will encourage students to consider engineering and computing as academic programs of study and as a career path."

IEEE and NIHERST E-scientia Container