Global Santa Fe South America LLC funded 15 graduate scholarships at a total value of over TT $2.8 million leading to MPhil/PhD degrees over a period of three years. The cheque was handed over to the University of the West Indies on Wednesday, October 24 at the Institute of Critical Thinking and was received by the PVC Planning and Development and Director of the Institute of Critical Thinking, Dr. Bhoendradatt Tewarie from Mr. Donald Eugene Pirtle, Country Manager of Global Santa Fe.

Global Santa Fe is one of the largest international drilling contractors providing off shore drilling services to the world's leading oil and gas companies and owns and operates a modern, diversified fleet of 59 offshore drilling rigs in 20 countries worldwide. The company has been operating in Trinidad for the last 10 years.

At the handing over ceremony, Mr. Pirtle mentioned the changing energy needs of the world and the necessity for participants in the energy sector to also change to meet the demands of those needs. In Mr. Pirtle's words “Global Santa Fe has been transforming from the traditional transient contractor model to a more permanent resident company”, Trinidad and Tobago is one of the countries of permanent residence. According to Mr. Pirtle, the retention and development of the permanent employee base in T&T has led Global Santa Fe to seek means of expanding efforts towards the overall development of human capital in the region. The management of Global Santa Fe met with Dr. Tewarie to discuss the best way the organisation can have a positive impact in this regard. The Institute of Critical Thinking was therefore seen as a great choice because of the Institute's aim to “promote independent thinking, personal autonomy and reasoned judgment in thought and action, creating an environment nurturing the development of individuals who can enhance their lives and contribute positively to society, culture and civilization in the region”.

Dr. Bhoendradatt Tewarie stated that this was the first time Global Sante Fe made such a donation anywhere in the region. He explained that this generous contribution would have an impact on the work of the University, by supporting students who would address problems and challenges by finding new solutions. PVC Tewarie described some of the aims of the Institute of Critical Thinking as:

1. to change how we think about approaches to problem solving,
2. to impact how we think about teaching and learning and
3. the role of research in solving challenging problems.

The Institute houses a modern board room, theatre facilities, offices, research stations, main lecture rooms of 300 seating capacity with up-to-date teleconferencing and video conferencing technology able to reach institutions and researchers worldwide. There are also stations available for post doctorate and post graduate researchers.

Dr Tewarie emphasized that the scholarships will support ground breaking research by students from across the region who will be well supervised.

Professor Clement Sankat, Pro Vice Chancellor for Graduate Studies thanked Global Santa Fe for their record breaking contribution to post graduate research. He added that in one stroke Global Santa Fe had increased scholarships on the campus by 50%. Professor Sankat reiterated that 15 post graduate scholars will make a big dent in the advancement of the region with regards to development. Professor Sankat reiterated that 15 post graduate scholars will make a big dent in the advancement of the region with regards to development.