diff --git a/.github/workflows/ci.yml b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
index 6b002352..aaf65a0c 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/ci.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ jobs:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     strategy:
       matrix:
-        python-version: ["3.8", "3.9", "3.10", "3.11", "3.12"]
+        python-version: ["3.11", "3.12"]
     name: Python ${{ matrix.python-version }} Tests
 
     services:
diff --git a/setup.py b/setup.py
index 0052baec..46aa36b3 100644
--- a/setup.py
+++ b/setup.py
@@ -27,8 +27,8 @@ def read(*names, **kwargs):
 elasticsearch_requires = ["elasticsearch~=7.17.9", "elasticsearch-dsl~=7.4.1"]
 
 redis_requires = ["redis==3.5.2"]
-sqlite_requires = ["sqlalchemy==1.4.47"]
-postgresql_requires = ["psycopg2>=2.8.4", "sqlalchemy==1.4.47"]
+sqlite_requires = ["sqlalchemy~=1.4.50"]
+postgresql_requires = ["psycopg2>=2.9.9", "sqlalchemy~=1.4.50"]
 celery_requires = ["celery[redis]~=5.2.7"]
 sendgrid_requires = ["sendgrid>=6.1.3"]
 flask_requires = ["flask>=1.1.1"]
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ def read(*names, **kwargs):
     "cookiecutter>=1.7.0",
     "copier>=6.1.0",
     "inflection>=0.5.1",
-    "python-dateutil>=2.8.1",
+    "python-dateutil>=2.8.2",
     "werkzeug>=2.0.0",
 ]
 
@@ -58,20 +58,20 @@ def read(*names, **kwargs):
 
 testing_requires = all_external_requires + [
     "autoflake>=2.2.1",
-    "isort>=5.10.1",
-    "mock==4.0.2",
-    "pluggy==0.13.1",
-    "pytest-asyncio>=0.15.1",
-    "pytest-cov==2.8.1",
-    "pytest-flake8>=1.0.7",
-    "pytest-mock==3.1.0",
-    "pytest>=5.4.2",
+    "isort>=5.12.0",
+    "mock==5.1.0",
+    "pluggy==1.3.0",
+    "pytest-asyncio>=0.21.1",
+    "pytest-cov>=4.1.0",
+    "pytest-flake8>=1.1.1",
+    "pytest-mock==3.12.0",
+    "pytest>=7.4.3",
 ]
 
 docs_requires = [
     "livereload>=2.6.3",
-    "sphinx>=4.1.2",
-    "sphinx-tabs>=3.2.0",
+    "sphinx>=7.2.6",
+    "sphinx-tabs>=3.4.4",
 ]
 
 types_requires = [
@@ -86,13 +86,13 @@ def read(*names, **kwargs):
     + types_requires
     + testing_requires
     + [
-        "black==21.11b1",
-        "check-manifest==0.42",
-        "coverage==5.1",
-        "docutils==0.16",
+        "black>=23.11.0",
+        "check-manifest>=0.49",
+        "coverage>=7.3.2",
+        "docutils>=0.18.0",
         "pre-commit>=2.16.0",
-        "tox==3.15.0",
-        "twine==3.1.1",
+        "tox>=4.11.3",
+        "twine>=4.0.2",
     ]
 )
 
@@ -123,9 +123,6 @@ def read(*names, **kwargs):
         "License :: OSI Approved :: BSD License",
         "Operating System :: OS Independent",
         "Programming Language :: Python",
-        "Programming Language :: Python :: 3.8",
-        "Programming Language :: Python :: 3.9",
-        "Programming Language :: Python :: 3.10",
         "Programming Language :: Python :: 3.11",
         "Programming Language :: Python :: 3.12",
         "Programming Language :: Python :: 3 :: Only",
diff --git a/src/protean/adapters/event_store/memory.py b/src/protean/adapters/event_store/memory.py
index a41e1cda..be94c795 100644
--- a/src/protean/adapters/event_store/memory.py
+++ b/src/protean/adapters/event_store/memory.py
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-from datetime import datetime
+from datetime import UTC, datetime
 from typing import Any, Dict, List
 
 from protean import BaseAggregate, BaseRepository
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ def write(
                 type=message_type,
                 data=data,
                 metadata=MessageMetadata(**metadata) if metadata else None,
-                time=datetime.utcnow(),
+                time=datetime.now(UTC),
             )
         )
 
diff --git a/src/protean/adapters/repository/elasticsearch.py b/src/protean/adapters/repository/elasticsearch.py
index e9f0cbeb..ece73407 100644
--- a/src/protean/adapters/repository/elasticsearch.py
+++ b/src/protean/adapters/repository/elasticsearch.py
@@ -481,7 +481,7 @@ def _data_reset(self):
             if provider.conn_info[
                 "DATABASE"
             ] == Database.ELASTICSEARCH.value and conn.indices.exists(
-                model_cls._index._name
+                index=model_cls._index._name
             ):
                 conn.delete_by_query(
                     refresh=True,
@@ -522,7 +522,7 @@ def _drop_database_artifacts(self):
             if provider.conn_info[
                 "DATABASE"
             ] == Database.ELASTICSEARCH.value and model_cls._index.exists(using=conn):
-                conn.indices.delete(model_cls._index._name)
+                conn.indices.delete(index=model_cls._index._name)
 
 
 class DefaultLookup(BaseLookup):
diff --git a/src/protean/container.py b/src/protean/container.py
index 427a376f..71ebb7e8 100644
--- a/src/protean/container.py
+++ b/src/protean/container.py
@@ -164,13 +164,6 @@ def __new__(mcs, name, bases, attrs, **kwargs):
             if attr_name not in fields_dict
         }
 
-        # Propagate `__classcell__` if present to the `type.__new__` call.
-        # Failing to do so will result in a RuntimeError in Python 3.8.
-        # https://docs.python.org/3/reference/datamodel.html#creating-the-class-object
-        classcell = attrs.pop("__classcell__", None)
-        if classcell is not None:
-            dup_attrs["__classcell__"] = classcell
-
         # Insert fields in the order in which they were specified
         #   When field names overlap, the last specified field wins
         dup_attrs.update(fields_dict)
diff --git a/src/protean/domain/helpers.py b/src/protean/domain/helpers.py
index 52822c85..ae939b41 100644
--- a/src/protean/domain/helpers.py
+++ b/src/protean/domain/helpers.py
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
+import importlib.util
 import logging
 import os
-import pkgutil
 import sys
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ def get_root_path(import_name):
         return os.path.dirname(os.path.abspath(mod.__file__))
 
     # Next attempt: check the loader.
-    loader = pkgutil.get_loader(import_name)
+    loader = importlib.util.find_spec(import_name)
 
     # Loader does not exist or we're referring to an unloaded main module
     # or a main module without path (interactive sessions), go with the
diff --git a/src/protean/server/engine.py b/src/protean/server/engine.py
index 70601e34..aa01e953 100644
--- a/src/protean/server/engine.py
+++ b/src/protean/server/engine.py
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@
 from protean.core.event_handler import BaseEventHandler
 from protean.exceptions import ConfigurationError
 from protean.globals import g
-from protean.utils.importlib import import_from_full_path
+from protean.utils import import_from_full_path
 from protean.utils.mixins import Message
 
 from .subscription import Subscription
diff --git a/src/protean/utils/__init__.py b/src/protean/utils/__init__.py
index 571499a7..be2dffe7 100644
--- a/src/protean/utils/__init__.py
+++ b/src/protean/utils/__init__.py
@@ -4,14 +4,14 @@
 to the maximum extent possible.
 """
 import functools
+import importlib
 import logging
 
+from datetime import UTC, datetime
 from enum import Enum, auto
 from typing import Any, Tuple, Union
 from uuid import uuid4
 
-import pkg_resources
-
 from protean.exceptions import ConfigurationError, IncorrectUsageError
 from protean.globals import current_domain
 
@@ -64,8 +64,21 @@ def __eq__(self, other):
         return isinstance(other, self.expected_type)
 
 
+def utcnow_func():
+    """Return the current time in UTC with timezone information"""
+    return datetime.now(UTC)
+
+
 def get_version():
-    return pkg_resources.require("protean")[0].version
+    return importlib.metadata.version("protean")
+
+
+def import_from_full_path(domain, path):
+    spec = importlib.util.spec_from_file_location(domain, path)
+    mod = importlib.util.module_from_spec(spec)
+    spec.loader.exec_module(mod)
+
+    return getattr(mod, domain)
 
 
 def fully_qualified_name(cls):
diff --git a/src/protean/utils/importlib.py b/src/protean/utils/importlib.py
index 328ad8a3..8b137891 100644
--- a/src/protean/utils/importlib.py
+++ b/src/protean/utils/importlib.py
@@ -1,40 +1 @@
-""" Module defines utilities for importing modules and packages """
 
-import importlib.util
-
-from importlib import import_module
-
-
-def perform_import(val):
-    """
-    If the given setting is a string import notation,
-    then perform the necessary import or imports.
-    """
-    if val is not None:
-        if isinstance(val, str):
-            return import_from_string(val)
-        elif isinstance(val, (list, tuple)):
-            return [import_from_string(item) for item in val]
-
-    return val
-
-
-def import_from_string(val, package=None):
-    """
-    Attempt to import a class from a string representation.
-    """
-    try:
-        module_path, class_name = val.rsplit(".", 1)
-        module = import_module(module_path, package=package)
-        return getattr(module, class_name)
-    except (ImportError, AttributeError) as e:
-        msg = f"Could not import {val}. {e.__class__.__name__}: {e}"
-        raise ImportError(msg)
-
-
-def import_from_full_path(domain, path):
-    spec = importlib.util.spec_from_file_location(domain, path)
-    mod = importlib.util.module_from_spec(spec)
-    spec.loader.exec_module(mod)
-
-    return getattr(mod, domain)
diff --git a/tests/adapters/model/elasticsearch_model/tests.py b/tests/adapters/model/elasticsearch_model/tests.py
index 721d33aa..cd604285 100644
--- a/tests/adapters/model/elasticsearch_model/tests.py
+++ b/tests/adapters/model/elasticsearch_model/tests.py
@@ -346,7 +346,7 @@ class ReceiverInlineModel:
         model_cls = test_domain.repository_for(Receiver)._model
         conn = test_domain.providers["default"].get_connection()
         if model_cls._index.exists(using=conn):
-            conn.indices.delete(model_cls._index._name)
+            conn.indices.delete(index=model_cls._index._name)
         model_cls.init(using=conn)
 
         receiver_dao = test_domain.repository_for(Receiver)._dao
@@ -356,4 +356,4 @@ class ReceiverInlineModel:
         assert receiver is not None
         assert receiver.name == "John"
 
-        conn.indices.delete(model_cls._index._name)
+        conn.indices.delete(index=model_cls._index._name)
diff --git a/tests/adapters/model/sqlalchemy_model/postgresql/test_array_datatype.py b/tests/adapters/model/sqlalchemy_model/postgresql/test_array_datatype.py
index 45320566..b8ec3604 100644
--- a/tests/adapters/model/sqlalchemy_model/postgresql/test_array_datatype.py
+++ b/tests/adapters/model/sqlalchemy_model/postgresql/test_array_datatype.py
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-from datetime import datetime
+from datetime import UTC, datetime
 
 import pytest
 
@@ -110,7 +110,7 @@ def test_array_content_type_validation(test_domain):
         {"email": "john.doe@gmail.com", "roles": [1, 2]},
         {"email": "john.doe@gmail.com", "roles": ["1", 2]},
         {"email": "john.doe@gmail.com", "roles": [1.0, 2.0]},
-        {"email": "john.doe@gmail.com", "roles": [datetime.utcnow()]},
+        {"email": "john.doe@gmail.com", "roles": [datetime.now(UTC)]},
     ]:
         with pytest.raises(ValidationError) as exception:
             ArrayUser(**kwargs)
@@ -127,7 +127,7 @@ def test_array_content_type_validation(test_domain):
     for kwargs in [
         {"email": "john.doe@gmail.com", "roles": ["ADMIN", "USER"]},
         {"email": "john.doe@gmail.com", "roles": ["1", "2"]},
-        {"email": "john.doe@gmail.com", "roles": [datetime.utcnow()]},
+        {"email": "john.doe@gmail.com", "roles": [datetime.now(UTC)]},
     ]:
         with pytest.raises(ValidationError) as exception:
             IntegerArrayUser(**kwargs)
diff --git a/tests/adapters/model/sqlalchemy_model/postgresql/test_json_datatype.py b/tests/adapters/model/sqlalchemy_model/postgresql/test_json_datatype.py
index aec35a8d..20541eda 100644
--- a/tests/adapters/model/sqlalchemy_model/postgresql/test_json_datatype.py
+++ b/tests/adapters/model/sqlalchemy_model/postgresql/test_json_datatype.py
@@ -1,5 +1,3 @@
-from datetime import datetime
-
 import pytest
 
 from sqlalchemy import types as sa_types
@@ -7,11 +5,12 @@
 from protean import BaseAggregate
 from protean.fields import DateTime, Dict, String
 from protean.globals import current_domain
+from protean.utils import utcnow_func
 
 
 class Event(BaseAggregate):
     name = String(max_length=255)
-    created_at = DateTime(default=datetime.utcnow())
+    created_at = DateTime(default=utcnow_func)
     payload = Dict()
 
 
diff --git a/tests/adapters/model/sqlalchemy_model/postgresql/test_list_datatype.py b/tests/adapters/model/sqlalchemy_model/postgresql/test_list_datatype.py
index 1f43348f..0d3d85d9 100644
--- a/tests/adapters/model/sqlalchemy_model/postgresql/test_list_datatype.py
+++ b/tests/adapters/model/sqlalchemy_model/postgresql/test_list_datatype.py
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-from datetime import datetime
+from datetime import UTC, datetime
 
 import pytest
 
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ def test_array_content_type_validation(test_domain):
         {"email": "john.doe@gmail.com", "roles": [1, 2]},
         {"email": "john.doe@gmail.com", "roles": ["1", 2]},
         {"email": "john.doe@gmail.com", "roles": [1.0, 2.0]},
-        {"email": "john.doe@gmail.com", "roles": [datetime.utcnow()]},
+        {"email": "john.doe@gmail.com", "roles": [datetime.now(UTC)]},
     ]:
         with pytest.raises(ValidationError) as exception:
             ListUser(**kwargs)
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ def test_array_content_type_validation(test_domain):
     for kwargs in [
         {"email": "john.doe@gmail.com", "roles": ["ADMIN", "USER"]},
         {"email": "john.doe@gmail.com", "roles": ["1", "2"]},
-        {"email": "john.doe@gmail.com", "roles": [datetime.utcnow()]},
+        {"email": "john.doe@gmail.com", "roles": [datetime.now(UTC)]},
     ]:
         with pytest.raises(ValidationError) as exception:
             IntegerListUser(**kwargs)
diff --git a/tests/adapters/model/sqlalchemy_model/sqlite/test_array_datatype.py b/tests/adapters/model/sqlalchemy_model/sqlite/test_array_datatype.py
index dafd7484..a6b9c185 100644
--- a/tests/adapters/model/sqlalchemy_model/sqlite/test_array_datatype.py
+++ b/tests/adapters/model/sqlalchemy_model/sqlite/test_array_datatype.py
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-from datetime import datetime
+from datetime import UTC, datetime
 
 import pytest
 
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ def test_array_content_type_validation(test_domain):
         {"email": "john.doe@gmail.com", "roles": [1, 2]},
         {"email": "john.doe@gmail.com", "roles": ["1", 2]},
         {"email": "john.doe@gmail.com", "roles": [1.0, 2.0]},
-        {"email": "john.doe@gmail.com", "roles": [datetime.utcnow()]},
+        {"email": "john.doe@gmail.com", "roles": [datetime.now(UTC)]},
     ]:
         with pytest.raises(ValidationError) as exception:
             ArrayUser(**kwargs)
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ def test_array_content_type_validation(test_domain):
     for kwargs in [
         {"email": "john.doe@gmail.com", "roles": ["ADMIN", "USER"]},
         {"email": "john.doe@gmail.com", "roles": ["1", "2"]},
-        {"email": "john.doe@gmail.com", "roles": [datetime.utcnow()]},
+        {"email": "john.doe@gmail.com", "roles": [datetime.now(UTC)]},
     ]:
         with pytest.raises(ValidationError) as exception:
             IntegerArrayUser(**kwargs)
diff --git a/tests/adapters/model/sqlalchemy_model/sqlite/test_json_datatype.py b/tests/adapters/model/sqlalchemy_model/sqlite/test_json_datatype.py
index 6c4a3a07..1b4851f8 100644
--- a/tests/adapters/model/sqlalchemy_model/sqlite/test_json_datatype.py
+++ b/tests/adapters/model/sqlalchemy_model/sqlite/test_json_datatype.py
@@ -1,16 +1,15 @@
-from datetime import datetime
-
 import pytest
 
 from sqlalchemy import types as sa_types
 
 from protean import BaseAggregate
 from protean.fields import DateTime, Dict, String
+from protean.utils import utcnow_func
 
 
 class Event(BaseAggregate):
     name = String(max_length=255)
-    created_at = DateTime(default=datetime.utcnow())
+    created_at = DateTime(default=utcnow_func)
     payload = Dict()
 
 
diff --git a/tests/adapters/repository/sqlalchemy_repo/postgresql/test_associations.py b/tests/adapters/repository/sqlalchemy_repo/postgresql/test_associations.py
index 6451f003..d552b9ac 100644
--- a/tests/adapters/repository/sqlalchemy_repo/postgresql/test_associations.py
+++ b/tests/adapters/repository/sqlalchemy_repo/postgresql/test_associations.py
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-from datetime import datetime
+from datetime import UTC, datetime
 
 import pytest
 
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ def test_updating_a_has_many_association(test_domain):
 
     post_repo = test_domain.repository_for(Post)
     post = Post(content="bar")
-    post.add_comments(Comment(content="foo", added_on=datetime.utcnow()))
+    post.add_comments(Comment(content="foo", added_on=datetime.now(UTC)))
     post_repo.add(post)
 
     with UnitOfWork():
diff --git a/tests/adapters/repository/sqlalchemy_repo/postgresql/test_persistence.py b/tests/adapters/repository/sqlalchemy_repo/postgresql/test_persistence.py
index e4d39180..1e2df56c 100644
--- a/tests/adapters/repository/sqlalchemy_repo/postgresql/test_persistence.py
+++ b/tests/adapters/repository/sqlalchemy_repo/postgresql/test_persistence.py
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-from datetime import datetime
+from datetime import UTC, datetime
 
 import pytest
 
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@
 
 class Event(BaseAggregate):
     name = String(max_length=255)
-    created_at = DateTime(default=datetime.utcnow())
+    created_at = DateTime(default=datetime.now(UTC))
     payload = Dict()
 
 
diff --git a/tests/aggregate/test_as_dict.py b/tests/aggregate/test_as_dict.py
index 3c73b098..b1447081 100644
--- a/tests/aggregate/test_as_dict.py
+++ b/tests/aggregate/test_as_dict.py
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-from datetime import datetime
+from datetime import UTC, datetime
 
 from protean import BaseAggregate, BaseEntity, BaseValueObject
 from protean.fields import (
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@
     Text,
     ValueObject,
 )
+from protean.utils import utcnow_func
 
 
 class TestAggregateWithNoEnclosedEntitiesOrValueObjects:
@@ -34,9 +35,9 @@ class Post(BaseAggregate):
             title = String(required=True, max_length=1000)
             slug = String(required=True, max_length=1024)
             content = Text(required=True)
-            posted_at = DateTime(required=True, default=datetime.utcnow)
+            posted_at = DateTime(required=True, default=utcnow_func)
 
-        current_time = datetime.utcnow()
+        current_time = datetime.now(UTC)
         post = Post(
             title="Test Post",
             slug="test-post",
diff --git a/tests/entity/test_entity_meta.py b/tests/entity/test_entity_meta.py
index ce2d4af1..023c7021 100644
--- a/tests/entity/test_entity_meta.py
+++ b/tests/entity/test_entity_meta.py
@@ -93,3 +93,6 @@ def test_entity_meta_has_attributes_on_construction(self):
             "age",
             "id",
         ]  # `relative_of` is ignored
+
+    def test_meta_equality(self):
+        assert Person.meta_ != PersonAutoSSN.meta_
diff --git a/tests/event_store/test_reading_all_streams.py b/tests/event_store/test_reading_all_streams.py
index 4a22ea71..b63c51b5 100644
--- a/tests/event_store/test_reading_all_streams.py
+++ b/tests/event_store/test_reading_all_streams.py
@@ -1,12 +1,12 @@
 from __future__ import annotations
 
-from datetime import datetime
 from uuid import uuid4
 
 import pytest
 
 from protean import BaseEvent, BaseEventSourcedAggregate
 from protean.fields import DateTime, Identifier, String, Text
+from protean.utils import utcnow_func
 
 
 class User(BaseEventSourcedAggregate):
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ class Meta:
 
 class Published(BaseEvent):
     id = Identifier(required=True)
-    published_time = DateTime(default=datetime.utcnow)
+    published_time = DateTime(default=utcnow_func)
 
     class Meta:
         aggregate_cls = Post
diff --git a/tests/field/test_identifier.py b/tests/field/test_identifier.py
index fe1e6d9b..86317d5a 100644
--- a/tests/field/test_identifier.py
+++ b/tests/field/test_identifier.py
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-from datetime import datetime
+from datetime import UTC, datetime
 from uuid import UUID, uuid4
 
 import pytest
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ def test_string_identifiers_are_preserved_as_strings_in_as_dict():
 def test_that_only_ints_or_strings_are_allowed_in_identifiers():
     identifier = Identifier()
 
-    invalid_values = [42.0, {"a": 1}, ["a", "b"], True, datetime.utcnow()]
+    invalid_values = [42.0, {"a": 1}, ["a", "b"], True, datetime.now(UTC)]
     for value in invalid_values:
         with pytest.raises(ValidationError):
             identifier._load(value)
diff --git a/tests/subscription/test_message_filtering_with_origin_stream.py b/tests/subscription/test_message_filtering_with_origin_stream.py
index e02fd359..6f334ad5 100644
--- a/tests/subscription/test_message_filtering_with_origin_stream.py
+++ b/tests/subscription/test_message_filtering_with_origin_stream.py
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 from __future__ import annotations
 
-from datetime import datetime
+from datetime import UTC, datetime
 from uuid import uuid4
 
 import mock
@@ -85,10 +85,10 @@ async def test_message_filtering_for_event_handlers_with_defined_origin_stream(
             user, Registered(id=identifier, email="john.doe@gmail.com", name="John Doe")
         ),
         Message.to_aggregate_event_message(
-            user, Activated(id=identifier, activated_at=datetime.utcnow())
+            user, Activated(id=identifier, activated_at=datetime.now(UTC))
         ),
         Message.to_aggregate_event_message(
-            email, Sent(email="john.doe@gmail.com", sent_at=datetime.utcnow())
+            email, Sent(email="john.doe@gmail.com", sent_at=datetime.now(UTC))
         ),
     ]
     messages[2].metadata.origin_stream_name = f"user-{identifier}"
diff --git a/tests/subscription/test_no_message_filtering.py b/tests/subscription/test_no_message_filtering.py
index 28633166..10b59c38 100644
--- a/tests/subscription/test_no_message_filtering.py
+++ b/tests/subscription/test_no_message_filtering.py
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 from __future__ import annotations
 
-from datetime import datetime
+from datetime import UTC, datetime
 from uuid import uuid4
 
 import mock
@@ -85,10 +85,10 @@ async def test_no_filtering_for_event_handlers_without_defined_origin_stream(
             user, Registered(id=identifier, email="john.doe@gmail.com", name="John Doe")
         ),
         Message.to_aggregate_event_message(
-            user, Activated(id=identifier, activated_at=datetime.utcnow())
+            user, Activated(id=identifier, activated_at=datetime.now(UTC))
         ),
         Message.to_aggregate_event_message(
-            email, Sent(email="john.doe@gmail.com", sent_at=datetime.utcnow())
+            email, Sent(email="john.doe@gmail.com", sent_at=datetime.now(UTC))
         ),
     ]
     messages[2].metadata.origin_stream_name = f"user-{identifier}"
diff --git a/tests/test_aggregates.py b/tests/test_aggregates.py
index 30f324d0..5d7f8b57 100644
--- a/tests/test_aggregates.py
+++ b/tests/test_aggregates.py
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-from datetime import date, datetime
+from datetime import date
 
 import pytest
 
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
 from protean.exceptions import IncorrectUsageError, ValidationError
 from protean.fields import Date, DateTime, HasMany, Reference, String
 from protean.reflection import declared_fields
-from protean.utils import fully_qualified_name
+from protean.utils import fully_qualified_name, utcnow_func
 
 
 class TestAggregateRegistration:
@@ -59,8 +59,8 @@ class Person:
     def test_that_abstract_aggregates_do_not_have_id_field(self, test_domain):
         @test_domain.aggregate
         class TimeStamped:
-            created_at = DateTime(default=datetime.utcnow)
-            updated_at = DateTime(default=datetime.utcnow)
+            created_at = DateTime(default=utcnow_func)
+            updated_at = DateTime(default=utcnow_func)
 
             class Meta:
                 abstract = True
diff --git a/tests/test_other.py b/tests/test_other.py
deleted file mode 100644
index 651b731a..00000000
--- a/tests/test_other.py
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,30 +0,0 @@
-"""Module to test other Protean Functions and Utilities"""
-
-import pytest
-
-from protean.core import entity
-from protean.utils.importlib import perform_import
-
-
-def test_perform_import():
-    """Test the perform import function"""
-
-    # Test importing of None
-    mod = perform_import(None)
-    assert mod is None
-
-    # Test import of string
-    mod = perform_import("protean.core.entity")
-    assert mod == entity
-
-    # Test import list
-    mod = perform_import(["protean.core.entity.BaseEntity"])
-    assert mod == [entity.BaseEntity]
-
-    # Test Failed import
-    with pytest.raises(ImportError):
-        perform_import("protean.core.entity.xxxx")
-
-    # Test Direct import
-    mod = perform_import(entity)
-    assert mod == entity
diff --git a/tests/unit_of_work/test_nested_inline_event_processing.py b/tests/unit_of_work/test_nested_inline_event_processing.py
index 70152ffc..579756b7 100644
--- a/tests/unit_of_work/test_nested_inline_event_processing.py
+++ b/tests/unit_of_work/test_nested_inline_event_processing.py
@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
 from __future__ import annotations
 
-from datetime import datetime
 from uuid import uuid4
 
 import pytest
@@ -17,13 +16,14 @@
 from protean.fields import DateTime, Identifier, String, Text
 from protean.fields.basic import Boolean
 from protean.globals import current_domain
+from protean.utils import utcnow_func
 
 published_count = 0
 
 
 class Published(BaseEvent):
     id = Identifier(required=True)
-    published_time = DateTime(default=datetime.utcnow)
+    published_time = DateTime(default=utcnow_func)
 
 
 class Post(BaseEventSourcedAggregate):
diff --git a/tests/utils/test_get_version.py b/tests/utils/test_get_version.py
index b196f512..65e72187 100644
--- a/tests/utils/test_get_version.py
+++ b/tests/utils/test_get_version.py
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
-import pkg_resources
+import importlib
 
 from protean.utils import get_version
 
 
 def test_get_version():
-    assert get_version() == pkg_resources.require("protean")[0].version
+    assert get_version() == importlib.metadata.version("protean")
diff --git a/tests/utils/test_import_from_full_path.py b/tests/utils/test_import_from_full_path.py
index 843c746f..336de7a6 100644
--- a/tests/utils/test_import_from_full_path.py
+++ b/tests/utils/test_import_from_full_path.py
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 import pytest
 
-from protean.utils.importlib import import_from_full_path
+from protean.utils import import_from_full_path
 
 
 def test_that_a_domain_can_be_imported_from_a_full_path():
diff --git a/tests/utils/test_util.py b/tests/utils/test_util.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..7b29c8d6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/utils/test_util.py
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+import datetime
+
+from protean.utils import utcnow_func
+
+
+def test_utcnow_func():
+    func = utcnow_func
+    assert func is not None
+    assert callable(func) is True
+
+    result = func()
+    assert result is not None
+    assert type(result) == datetime.datetime
diff --git a/tests/value_object/test_to_dict.py b/tests/value_object/test_to_dict.py
index a8829191..70314666 100644
--- a/tests/value_object/test_to_dict.py
+++ b/tests/value_object/test_to_dict.py
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-from datetime import datetime
+from datetime import UTC, datetime
 
 from protean import BaseAggregate
 from protean.core.value_object import BaseValueObject
@@ -39,12 +39,12 @@ def test_embedded_simple_vo(self):
         assert simple.to_dict() == {"id": 12, "vo": {"foo": "foo", "bar": "bar"}}
 
     def test_datetime_vo_dict(self):
-        now = datetime.utcnow()
+        now = datetime.now(UTC)
         vo = VOWithDateTime(foo="foo", now=now)
         assert vo.to_dict() == {"foo": "foo", "now": str(now)}
 
     def test_embedded_datetime_vo(self):
-        now = datetime.utcnow()
+        now = datetime.now(UTC)
         vo = VOWithDateTime(foo="foo", now=now)
         simple = EntityWithDateTimeVO(id=12, vo=vo)
         assert simple.to_dict() == {"id": 12, "vo": {"foo": "foo", "now": str(now)}}