Prime Minister’s Awards For Innovation and Invention 2004

For the many entrants in the 2004 Prime Minister’s Awards for Innovation and Invention the suspense was broken on Tuesday 21st September, 2004, with the announcement of winners at a gala function held at the Hilton Trinidad and Conference Centre. Winners were honoured in two categories: Individual Innovators and Inventors Awards, and the Lifetime Achievement Award.

In his address, the Honourable Colm Imbert, Minister of Science, Technology and Tertiary Education and Minister with responsibility for NIHERST, summed up the essence of innovation as the “unlimited capacity of the human mind and the human spirit to break through previous boundaries, create new realities and possibilities for the human race”. The acting Prime Minister Senator Dr. the Honourable Lenny Saith also supported these statements, in his feature address to the many guests.

To the large numbers of inventors, students, teachers and parents gathered, Dr. Saith emphasised the critical role of science, technology and innovation in national development and the importance of creating a culture of creativity and innovation. He went on to state that a modern and flexible science education base is a major objective of the government.

The selection of entertainment for the evening elaborated the importance of creativity and the diverse forms that it takes. The inspirational interpretative dance entitled “Move 21” performed by the La Chapelle Dance Company demonstrated creativity in motion. The thought-provoking dramatic skit performed by the Bagasse Company underscored that no group in society had the monopoly to creativity and that the world has benefited from inventions created by peoples from all walks of life. Successful inventions tend to be needs-driven. Wendy Sheppard and Wendell Constantine performed a superb and moving rendition of “Phantom of the Opera” and “All I Ask of You”, which highlighted the diversity of creative talent in our small twin-island republic.

The highlight of the evening was of course the presentation of prizes. The Individual Innovators and Inventors Award scheme was broken down into several sub-categories and prizes were awarded accordingly.

• In the Innovation and Invention category, where entrants were required to produce prototypes of their inventions, prizes were awarded in the following categories:

1. Junior (ages 7-17) division, where innovators and inventors entered various prototypes ranging from “Scrabraille” for the visually impaired, to “Scilicet” for the scientific minds.

2. Senior (ages 18 and over) division, where there was a great diversity in entries and keen competition which also attested to the abundance of local inventive talent. Prizes were awarded in the categories of :

• Devices

• Mechanical Engineering

• Chemical Engineering

• Furniture and Design

• Natural Gas Engineering

• Auto-Mechanics

• Use of Indigenous/Waste Material

• Pan

• Health, Safety and Environment

• Education/Educational Games

• Games, Toys and Sporting Devices

• The Bright Solutions category, which also had a junior and senior component, encouraged entrants to develop creative solutions to everyday problems. They were however not required to construct a prototype.

• The Lifetime Achievement Award is given to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the development and/or promotion of Innovation and Invention for two decades or more. This year’s awards focussed on the Manufacturing Sector and Dr. Anthony Saga emerged the overall winner.

The Prime Minister’s Awards for Innovation and Invention has attracted interest around the world and is helping to strengthen scientific ties with other countries, as well as to promote public awareness of the importance of technological creativity as a vehicle for national development, and to stimulate the development of a scientific culture.

View the 2004 Winners' List here

View the 2002 Winners' List here

View the 2000 Winners' List here