4TH ANNUAL PROFESSIONAL SERVICES DAY 2015
The Trinidad and Tobago Group of Professional Services Limited (TTGPA) in collaboration with the University of the West Indies St. Augustine Campus, the University of the West Indies Alumni Association, T & T Chapter (UWIAATT), the National Agricultural Marketing and Development Corporation (NAMDEVCO), the Penal/Debe Regional Corporation and the South West Regional Health Authority (SWRHA) hosted the 4th Annual Professional Services Day on Saturday 7th March, 2015. The venue was NAMDEVCO, S.S. Erin Road, Debe.
For our Professional Services Day all professionals who are members of TTGPA are invited to volunteer their services to a designated community FREE OF CHARGE. Our organization views this as an opportunity for professionals, many of whom have benefitted directly from the society, to give back to the nation. This event forms part of TTGPA’s Corporate Social Responsibility and demonstrates volunteerism in the professional community. The event also allows the participating professionals living in an area to build relationships with the residents and contribute towards improvements in their neighbourhoods.
TTGPA members in the medical field mobilized other medical professionals and arranged full medical services inclusive of basic screenings and individual private doctor examinations and consultations. With the participation of the business community and departments of UWI St. Augustine the result was a day full of a variety of services. As with any full day for the family the event also featured the SM Jaleel’s Play Park which was enjoyed by the children who were there.
Corporate Sponsors and Participants from the business sector this year were: ACCA Global, Aegis, Eve Anderson, VOLTEC Engineering, TTMF and Car Search. They provided information, advice demonstrations and giveaways to residents visiting their booths.
The Medical team this year featured nurses from the T & T Registered Nurses Association, South Branch and they worked closely with the South West Regional Health Authority
(SWRHA), UWI School of Nursing, the Chest and Heart Association, Bryden P I and the Trinidad & Tobago Red Cross Society (South Branch) to do basic screenings and testing for
attendees. There was also HIV testing and counselling available. Completing the medical clinic was a contingent from the school of Dentistry as well as those from the Optometry Department all under the umbrella of the Faculty of Medical Sciences at UWI St. Augustine. The Trinidad & Tobago Association of Psychologists also provided consultations for the public as part of the medical clinic. Rounding off the medical services were several private doctors who participated through the Trinidad & Tobago Medical Association, Southern Branch, and saw attendees providing examinations, consultations, giving prescriptions and referrals when considered necessary after basic screenings.
The departments of UWI were well represented and their booths offered members of the public an opportunity to interact with academic staff. Persons were guided and informed about the choices available for education and careers. Not to be outdone by the business community there were several giveaways and tokens for patrons who visited the booths. There was an opportunity to see a three-dimensional view of the proposed UWI, St. Augustine South Campus which fascinated on-lookers.
NAMDEVCO, the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) and the Sugar Cane Feed Centre together presented agricultural product samples, seeds and information to the public. The UWI Faculty of Food and Agriculture also provided residents with information and samples which were well received in this rural community.
The TTGPA membership rounded off the professional services with consultancy and career guidance from the Association of Real Estate Agents; The Institute of Internal Auditors, T & T Chapter; the Advertising Agencies Association of T & T and the Safety Council. The Library Association of Trinidad & Tobago invited the National Archives of Trinidad & Tobago and NALIS and had a grand exhibition which featured the services and opportunities available in that sector.
TTGPA is indeed fortunate to have had such tremendous support this year and looks forward to next year when the event will be held in Arima on Saturday 5th March, 2016.