The Transformation at the University of Belize Has Begun: Opportunities and Challenges
Presentation to Resident and Non Resident Ambassadors, High Commissioners And Other International Organizations/Representatives Accredited to Belize
September 20, 2019
Radisson Fort George Hotel & Marina
Belize City, Belize
On Friday, September 20th, 2019, the University of Belize’s President, Professor Emeritus Clement Sankat, along with the University’s Academic Deans and Directors addressed Resident and Non-Resident Ambassadors accredited to Belize on the invitation of Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Honorable Wilfred Elrington at the Radisson Fort George Hotel and Marina in Belize City. Also in attendance was the Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture and Deputy Prime Minister, Honorable Patrick Faber and the Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the University of Belize, Mr. Harrison Pilgrim.
In his presentation entitled, “The Transformation at the University of Belize has begun: Opportunities and Challenges,” Professor Sankat outlined key achievements made by the University since the commencement of its strategic plan, A Transformational Leap: Vision 2022, in 2017. However, the thrust of the presentation was focused on building international partnerships and discovering areas of interest for collaboration to achieve the University’s future initiatives, which include staff development programs to the PhD level in selected fields, new program development including joint/dual degrees between institutions, joint research and the application for research grants, infrastructural development for new teaching and learning facilities, new laboratories, staff/student services, residences and increased opportunities for cultural/sporting/academic exchanges so as to enhance student experiences.
Professor Sankat also highlighted the vital need to support its proposed new programs. This included programs in Medicine, Music and Engineering, for example.
In his conclusion, Professor Sankat noted that the UB cannot achieve the transformation on its own as it simply does not have all the resources. To this, Professor stated, “The University of Belize has the vision and determination but capacity must be built through partnerships.” He spoke to the benefit of international partnerships and where assistance from the international community, international universities and funding institutions can play a vital role in advancing Belize’s higher education. President Sankat appealed to the Diplomats and financial institutions present to consider the National University of Belize in their deliberations as the development of the human capital in Belize is a pre-cursor to sustainable development of the Country.
The Minister of Education Youth, Sports and Culture, Honorable Faber, echoed the President’s appeal for assistance with building the educational system of Belize and noted how international partnerships have facilitated this in the past. He also noted that partnerships bring mutual benefits to both parties engaged; and urged the representatives gathered to consider the opportunities to be derived from engaging with the University of Belize and supporting the cause.
National Service Day 2019 – President Clement Sankat
Enhancing Agriculture’s Contribution to the Caribbean Economy through Value Addition – Learning from a Belizean Example
Remarks – Working Together [with Junior Colleges and TVETS] to Advance the Education of Our Nation
For more information kindly refer to https://www.ub.edu.bz/from-the-presidents-desk-vol-20/
Remarks – Second Belize National Research Conference
International Day of Forests
Remarks – Launch of the Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership
The University of Belize (UB) officially launched its new Master’s in Education Leadership at the Gala Lounge in Orange Walk Town on Friday, March 8th, 2019. This program was developed jointly with the Vancouver, Canada based Commonwealth of Learning (COL), the intergovernmental organization created by Commonwealth Heads of Government to promote the development and sharing of open learning and distance education knowledge, resources and technologies.
The Master’s of Education Leadership aims to advance Belize’s existing framework in education, with a focus to incorporate broad contemporary concepts of leadership, which can be applied to the educational sector, especially our schools and colleges. Therefore, the program will develop the capacity of Belize’s existing and future teachers and administrators into competent and effective leaders who will guide our schools and educational institutions for national development. The addition of the Master’s program complements UB’s Education programs at the Associate and Bachelor level.
The launch saw the participation of UB’s many stakeholders, including the program’s first cohort of thirty-eight students, the Ministry of Education, and various government and quasi-government agencies. Informational and insightful presentations were made from the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ministry of Education, the Mayor of Orange Walk, the focal point officer for the Commonwealth of Learning in Belize, the President and the Dean of Faculty of Education and Arts of the University of Belize.
You are invited to read President’s remarks at the event.
Launch of ICJ Lecture Series – November 20, 2018
The Consortium of the University of Belize and the Social Sector Senators hosted a lecture series aimed at bringing awareness on Guatemala’s claim to Belize and the proposed settlement of submitting the issue to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for a final and peaceful settlement.
Graduation Address for Punta Gorda – June 14, 2018
