The Institute of Critical Thinking will soon have its formal opening; but even before that happens, events are being scheduled that will take advantage of the top quality facilities which the Institute offers. For instance on September 25–26, the Mathematics Initiative led by Professor Balswaroop Bhatt which focuses on “Mathematics and Its Applications” will take place at the Institute.

The Institute of Critical Thinking will be housed on the top floor of the Centre for Language Learning. It contains a Lecture Room which can seat 300 people or be divided into two separate rooms seating 150 each. It also has a classroom with seating for 60, a small cinema, work space for 4 post-doctoral researchers and 10 graduate students, a seminar room for 20, space for administrative offices, a Library/Reading room and a kitchen.

The Institute of Critical Thinking was formally launched by Professor George Maxwell Richards, President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago on January 14, 2004 when the first ever international conference on Critical Thinking in Teaching and Learning was held at the St. Augustine Campus.

The Conference attracted scholars from leading universities across the world and faculty from Mona, Cave Hill and St. Augustine and elicited wide participation from the general public but teachers, especially, attended in large numbers.

The Institute of Critical Thinking will work closely with the Instructional Development Unit (IDU) to strengthen teaching practice at the University of the West Indies and in the tertiary sector generally. Both institutions will also collaborate to promote research and scholarly work on tertiary level teaching.

In addition to the Mathematics Initiative, there will be other initiatives in vital areas of need. These may include a Science and Technology initiative, a Poverty Eradication project, an Entrepreneurship project, and a Creative Writing project. All projects will be led by University Faculty drawn form departments and faculties and will require external funding support.

The Institute is now awaiting the installation of furniture and video technology which have already been sourced.