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What’s the background?
When NIHERST first initiated the Sector Foresight Best Bets in Trinidad and Tobago, the Creative Sector was chosen as being one of the top priority focus areas because it had the potential to add considerable value for T&T in future years. In the initial engagement process we were introduced to Camille Pierre, the owner of ElliMac Productions. At that time she mentioned that she had a close working relationship with Simeon Sandiford who was developing a product called Pan in Education. Whilst this initiative was not directly included in the Best Bets developed by participants in the Creative Sector project, leveraging greater value from T&T’s unique steel pan instrument and the associated cultural linkages did in a Best Bet titled ‘The Pan Tree’. Chanzo Greenidge played a significant role in developing this business opportunity concept at the time.
What happened after this exercise?
Nothing happened directly as a result of ‘The Pan Tree’ Best Bet investment opportunity business case but several years later Dr Michele Reis, who has had an ongoing involvement in a number of Sector Best Bet projects, both within T&T and the region, introduced us to Simeon Sandiford and his unique ‘Pan in Education’ package. We have discussed Simeon’s project several times in past updates on the TTFI network. Until recently, Simeon was finding it quite challenging to get a commitment from anyone in the education sector to use what is a highly innovative, culturally connected, and well-structured learning process. As is often the case in small countries, much of the learning material and curriculum development is imported from overseas. This is part of the reason why many young people are failing in the education system - because the material and learning processes are ‘so boring’ and, for many of them, irrelevant.
So, what has Simeon been doing?
Simeon is a businessman who has had considerable success over the years in music production and associated fields - both locally and internationally. He is not the sort of person to give up easily, especially when he knows that what he has developed is something that will really connect with young people who are struggling with the more traditional educational approach. So, as is the case with many great ideas, he is now moving offshore in an effort to make things happen.
How has he done that?
The Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) is implementing The Caribbean Trade and Private Sector Development Programme, which includes a direct investment component that aims to enhance the competitiveness of Caribbean businesses and initiate or expand exports. The aim is to support some 150 businesses throughout the region and, up until now, 67 businesses have received grants. The funds come from the EU. Earlier this year Caribbean Export called for proposals for direct assistance and Sanch Electronix (Simeon’s company), applied for a grant.
What happened next?
On May 28th, 2010 he was advised that his grant application was approved. Simeon has moved quickly since then to make the most of this well-deserved opportunity and in July he was able to participate in the 3 day ‘Rising Stars’ camp for young persons aged between 7 and 18 in the US Virgin Islands (St. Thomas). This is a government-backed programme which encourages the use of tools and processes, like ‘Pan in Education’, to encourage learning, entrepreneurship and innovation. He has had the opportunity to introduce his learning package to both the participants and 12 key decision makers - and feels that things might now be starting to happen.
What does this mean for T&T?
In a way it demonstrates a bit of a lost opportunity for T&T because the country could have established a lead position in the ‘Pan in Education’ initiative. Education globally is rapid growth business worth hundreds of billions of dollars annually. There are increasing demands for new and innovative ways that will help young people with ‘5 second attention spans’ to learn and thrive. Now it looks as though PIE may enter the North American education system first and then possibly come back into the CARICOM countries. Great news for Simeon who has worked hard to make this happen. Not such great news when it comes to economic diversification opportunities that could be exploited for the benefit of the citizens of T&T - locally and globally.
Useful link:The PIE product
Key question: Why don’t we give more support to highly entrepreneurial and innovative home-grown businesses?
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