It has been three years and 33 issues since we started UWItoday and it is only fitting that I reflect on how far we have come since our first publication in January 2004. The first year was a learning experience filled with uncertainties as we scrambled to find articles to fill the paper and advertisers to sponsor the publication every month. It is with heartfelt thanks that I acknowledge my loyal advertisers, Caribbean Money Market Brokers Company (CMMB) and CLICO who over the last three years have supported the paper almost religiously every month. Many thanks also to other corporations such as Republic Bank, First Citizens Bank, Digicel, i.e.TV, whose generosity made the publication financially viable.

There were also loyal writers to whom I could turn in “dry periods” for an article or two. I wish to single out Dr. Tewarie who always found the time out of his busy schedule to set the tone of the paper by writing pointedly on any given topic every month; Shirin Haque who made physics and science, topics of genuine interest; Professor Bridget Brereton and Basil Reid whose history and archaeology pieces captivated our attention; Professor Clement Sankat who made sure that Engineering was never forgotten; the many other faculty members who contributed to UWItoday's depth and richness of content by submitting pieces on their research for publication; the lecturers from the Distinguished Open Lecture Series who simplified complex and wide ranging topics for the layman to read; and the many others from the various units, departments and faculties who without prompting, submitted information regularly. Thanks to all of you. You made it happen!

As we progressed, there were many hurdles to cross such as ironing out technical printing and publishing problems as well as synchronizing graphics, design and layout. Some weeks I sat on edge trying to meet my deadlines. My sincere thanks for the tremendous support both from the managerial and technical staff of the Trinidad Guardian for cooperating with me in getting the paper published each month- Grenfell Kissoon, Dominic Kalipersad, Halcyon Marhue, Anthony Durrant, Victor Yatali and Douglas Wilson. This has truly been a wonderful partnership! Sincere thanks to the Guardian team.

By the time the second year rolled in, I felt slightly more comfortable yet uncertain since I was still doubling up as an Editor as well as Executive Assistant to the then Campus Principal Dr. Bhoendradatt Tewarie. During this period, I was also given additional duties of managing the International Office. Though Dr. Tewarie fully supported the UWItoday, I still did not have dedicated resources assigned to the paper. I lived and breathed the UWItoday as my life became a series of deadlines from one month to the other as I tried to juggle my several tasks and meet my other obligations. Therefore, it was with a great sense of accomplishment and pride that I was able to announce our second year anniversary with 22 published issues.

As I now come to the end of a third consecutive year, I am much more experienced in managing a newspaper, from conception to finish. I could not have done it without the support of everyone especially those who work closely with me here in the office on every issue. Over the year we were able to acquire the computer software and capability to do most of the editing and some layout in-house. A secretary, Veroyanda Parsadie was assigned to work exclusively with me, and together with my team- Gillian Siu, Kendal Fontenelle, Ken Alleyne, Richard Spence, David Narine and Mr. Martin Theroulde, we were able to deliver this 16-page, full colour insert in the Trinidad Guardian on the second Sunday of each month. My thanks also go out to the staff of the Office of the Campus Principal who continued to support the paper through the generosity of Professor Brereton.

With the strengthening of the UWItoday brand, the paper has grown so popular over the years that the distribution list continues to grow with more persons from the region and outside the Caribbean requesting electronic copies in order to stay abreast of campus news. The paper has also become a medium to keep our regional and international community connected. It is with great pleasure I close this year knowing that the UWItoday is here to stay!