Mrs. Marleen Lord-Lewis
Mrs. Marleen Lord-Lewis

The National Institute of Higher Education Research Science and Technology (NIHERST), a State Agency, operating under the Ministry of Education, has a new President. Appointed by the President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago on the advice of the Minister, Mrs. Marleen Lord-Lewis received her Instrument of Appointment from the Honourable Anthony Garcia, Minister of Education, during a brief ceremony at the Education Towers on Monday 5th August, 2019. Given its new strategic agenda, Mrs. Lord-Lewis’s appointment comes at a crucial time for the Institute as it focuses on stimulating sustainable national capability and capacity in Science, Technology, Innovation and Technopreneurship.

Among her key responsibilities, Mrs. Lord-Lewis will lead the implementation of NIHERST’s strategic plan and shape the national policy that fosters, cultivates and recognises innovation, creativity and culture for excellence in Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) including indigenous capability in the application of STI relevant to the country's development needs. Mrs. Lord-Lewis is a proven leader with extensive experience in strategy formulation, negotiation, process engineering, economics and planning and business development. She has held Executive leadership roles and successfully steered major project development and implementation across the State Oil and Gas sector. Mrs. Lord-Lewis holds a B.Sc. Chemical Engineering [Hons.] and M.Sc. Production Engineering and Management both from the University of the West Indies and a Masters of Business Administration from Andrews University, Michigan, USA.

NIHERST President Marleen Lord-Lewis (far right) is presented with her Instrument of Appointment by the Honourable Anthony Garcia, Minister of Education and Lenor Baptiste-Simmons, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, at a ceremony held at the Education Towers on Monday 5th August, 2019.
NIHERST President Marleen Lord-Lewis (far right) is presented with her Instrument of Appointment by the Honourable Anthony Garcia, Minister of Education and Lenor Baptiste-Simmons, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, at a ceremony held at the Education Towers on Monday 5th August, 2019.

In her comments after receiving her instrument, Mrs. Marleen Lord-Lewis thanked the Honourable Minister and said: “I am honoured to have the opportunity to lead NIHERST as it re-energises its mandate and continues with its growth strategy geared towards building national competitiveness in a global environment. I am confident that with the support of existing talent at the Institute and the Board of Governors, we can realise increased national capabilities in science, innovation and technopreneurship through insightful research and focused programmes”.

Also attending the ceremony were the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Mrs. Lenor Baptiste-Simmons; members of NIHERST Board of Governors, Mr. Kyle Jackman, Mr. Shakka Subero and Mrs. Cavelle Joseph-St.Omer; NIHERST Vice President, Mr. Roopchand Raghunanan, Chairman of MIC Institute of Technology, Professor Clement Imbert and Advisor to the Minister of Education and Deputy Chairman of MIC Institute of Technology Mr. Keith Toby.

The post of NIHERST President has been vacant for some time. Since 2014, Ms. Sylvia Lalla, Senior Accountant of NIHERST, has held an acting position whilst simultaneously managing the Finance Department. The Board and Management of NIHERST thanks Ms. Lalla for her stewardship and invaluable contribution to the organisation during the acting period and into this transition period. As she prepares for retirement, the Institute also takes this opportunity to wish Ms. Lalla all the best in the next chapter of her life.

From left: NIHERST Board Member, Mr. Shakka Subero; NIHERST Registrar, Ms. Julia Charles-Joseph, NIHERST Vice President, Mr. Roopchand Raghunanan, new NIHERST President, Mrs. Marleen Lord-Lewis; former Ag. President, Ms. Sylvia Lalla and NIHERST Board Member, Mrs. Cavelle Joseph-St.Omer
From left: NIHERST Board Member, Mr. Shakka Subero; NIHERST Registrar, Ms. Julia Charles-Joseph, NIHERST Vice President, Mr. Roopchand Raghunanan, new NIHERST President, Mrs. Marleen Lord-Lewis; former Ag. President, Ms. Sylvia Lalla and NIHERST Board Member, Mrs. Cavelle Joseph-St.Omer

About NIHERST

NIHERST was established as a statutory body by the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago Act No.20 of 1984. NIHERST continues to pursue its mandate of promoting the development of science, technology and innovation in Trinidad and Tobago to enhance the innovative, creative and entrepreneurial capabilities of the general population.

NIHERST
Level 13, Ministry of Education Towers
#5 St Vincent Street, Port of Spain
Marketing department: marketing@niherst.gov.tt
Telephone: (868) 625-6437/624-4611
Website: www.niherst.gov.tt