Friday, October 11th, the University of Belize (UB) awarded fifteen outstanding students currently enrolled at the University of Belize with scholarships and bursaries for the 2019-2020 academic year.
Under the Lorenzo Cacho Scholarship – the first of its kind for the University – UB welcomed its first cohorts of recipients. Eleven students were provided with full scholarships and stipends to complete their studies at the National University. These students are – Shantel Andrews, Zair Aragon, Catherine Camal, Roberto Can, Cassandra Lewis, Elsie Moralez, Saijah McNab, Ian Oliva, Alson Ovando, Elder Quewell and Thaina Vasquez.
This scholarship fund was established in honor of Mr. Cornelius Cacho, a Belizean economist, who worked with the World Bank’s International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBDR). Deeply committed to the improvement of disadvantaged Belizeans, Mr. Cacho endowed the University with $250,000 BZD as a way to increase access to a UB education. This fund will provide significant financial aid in the coming years to students enrolled in their final two years of their undergraduate studies to help them complete their education at the University. It is awarded based on financial need, academic excellence and specific program enrollment in the areas of Science and Technology.
In the same spirit of opening the doors of opportunity, the University also awarded its second cohort of students with bursaries from the University’s Endowment Fund. Each bursary is tenable for one academic year and covers tuition only for twelve (12) credits per semester. These four (4) students – Olivia Sho, Jason Reyes, Jamilet Campos and Steven Palma – were selected based on financial need and academic excellence.
The UB Endowment Fund (UBDEF) was established in 2017 by the President of the University and is aimed to provide the private sector, UB’s partners and the general public with an avenue to contribute to the development of the nation. This fund allows the institution to improve services and in particular, provide support to its students through financial assistance with the aim to access a UB education. Funds for this year’s bursaries were as a result of the proceeds from last year’s Second Annual President’s Fete, which was held at the Princess Ramada and featured Oscar B, Pluto Sherington, Eljay, Gilharry 7 and Youth Connection Band.
The Third Annual President’s Fete featuring renowned singer Rossy War of Peru, backed up by Super Furia and Gilharry 7 Bands, will occur on the 26th of October, 2019 at the Muffles High School Auditorium in Orange Walk.
“The University is pleased to award these scholarships to our deserving students. Helping dedicated UB students to not only achieve their educational goals but also to contribute to Belize’s national development have been a core part of our mission,” said UB’s President Professor Sankat. “And although we help our students to meet their financial obligations through connecting them with local financial institutions and various scholarship schemes, it’s gratifying to support these students in such a direct and impactful way.”
