2009 was as challenging as the modern world has ever experienced. Chronic food shortages, the H1N1 virus, global warming, environmental degradation, and the universal financial crisis all staked their claim for prominence within the extremely lengthy agenda of pressing issues. Most of us Small and Medium Enterprises in Trinidad and Tobago were grateful for economic survival, achieved by prudent financial management, portfolio diversification, prayer and loads of luck.

Four of my articles were published by Editor Jeffrey W. Fritz in the prestigious online magazine,ultraaudio.com. Feedback and accolades received from audiophiles the world over made me glow inside. I was also extremely happy to spend two days in Rockport, Maine with speaker designer, Andrew Payor in May. We compared his dedicated listening environment with what had transpired in March at Jeff’s Music Vault in Wilmington where TWBAS 2009 was hosted.

I also made three trips to Barbados to gain support for Pan in Education (PIE). In July, I attended a conference hosted by the Caribbean Regional Negotiating Machinery, returning in September. Meetings were then held with officials from the Ministries of Education and Culture, Invest Barbados, Caribbean Export Development Agency, as well as the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC). On my last trip in December, I was a feature speaker at a workshop on the interesting topic, Innovation and Entrepreneurship facilitated by the CARICOM Secretariat.

The Music Producer was declared a National Occupational Standard (NOS) in November. Henceforth, successful graduates of the PIE Business Model curriculum will receive Level 3 National Vocational Qualifications. Additionally, Sanch has been accredited as a training provider by the National Training Agency of Trinidad and Tobago, effective December; 2009.The next step will be implementation of the programme by CXC within the CARICOM region.

As we roll out into 2010, a number of initiatives are being proposed whereby the PIE curriculum will be marketed to the 900-odd secondary schools throughout the English-speaking Caribbean. There will be substantial technical and logistical support from the relevant Ministries of Education, the CARICOM Secretariat, the University of the West Indies and CXC. The curriculum, NOS, Assessment Packages and Task Mapping are all contained on disc two of the upgraded dual CD produced by Sanch, appropriately entitled Pan in Education.

A programme of systematic training of educators begins this month. Upon completion, they will be able to enable the PIE curriculum which encompasses the areas of Business, Technical English, Music Literacy, ICT, Social Studies and Audio Engineering. The Business of Music will be offered officially as a CXC core subject, beginning next academic year, September 2010.

I wish you a very successful New Year, one in which you dominate your chosen field of endeavour. My new ultra audio feature has just been published. I look forward to your comments.

Simeon L. Sandiford
Managing Director