Arthur Lok Jack Graduate School of Business opens

In addressing the opening of the new business school’s campus at Mt Hope last night, President George Maxwell Richards expressed confidence that the new school would help to further develop Trinidad and Tobago as the region’s business capital and a centre for knowledge-based industries in the developing world.

Earlier this year, Lok Jack made the bold and unprecedented step of pledging an endowment of $20 million to the IOB, and promising to raise an additional $10 million for the IOB through the private sector. Prime Minister Patrick Manning praised Lok Jack for the initiative, and encouraged other members of the private sector to follow his example and contribute to the development of a philanthropic culture. In praising Lok Jack and recalling his philanthropic gesture, UWI Vice-Chancellor Prof Nigel Harris declared that no lesser honour could be conferred on Lok Jack than to have the new IOB renamed after him. Taking the podium in response to the standing ovation he received from the audience, Lok Jack said it has been his dream to see the establishment of the IOB’s own campus, and he was happy to see that it had become a reality after 17 years. He said the IOB was evidence of the positive impact which the partnership of Government, academia and the private sector could have on the development of a nation. Stating that successful economies are driven by business activities, Lok Jack said the IOB had played an integral role in developing future business leaders, and would continue to fulfil that role.

In praising the contributions of Lok Jack and other business persons to the IOB’s development, the President expressed confidence that the new campus would emerge as the premier business school in the region and continue to play a pivotal role in this country’s ongoing development. Glowing tribute was also paid by the President and other speakers to the IOB’s first executive director, deceased former Public Administration Minister Gordon Draper, for guiding the fledgling institution during its early years. UWI IOB executive director, Dr Rolph Balgobin, also paid special tribute to Government ministers Dr Lenny Saith, John Rahael, Danny Montano and Christine Sahadeo for the roles they played in making the new campus a reality.

Among the large gathering of dignitaries who turned out for last night’s opening were new UNC political leader Winston Dookeran, Amcham president Nicholas Galt, Inter-Religious Organisation president Rev Cyril Paul, and Venezuelan Ambassador to TT, Hector Casy Azocar.