Background

The University of Belize (UB) is tasked with being “a national, autonomous and multi-location institution committed to excellence in higher education, research, and service for national development. As a catalyst of change, it provides relevant, affordable, and accessible educational and training programs that address national needs based on principles of academic freedom, equity, transparency, merit and accountability.”
UB was created on August 1st, 2000 from a merger of five institutions: the University College of Belize, the Belize Technical College, the Belize Teachers’ Training College, the Bliss School of Nursing, and the Belize College of Agriculture. UB has its main campus in Belmopan, with satellite campuses in Belize City, Central Farm and Punta Gorda along with two marine field stations on Calabash and Hunting Caye respectively. It has four faculties, namely Management and Social Science, Education and Arts, Science and Technology and Health Sciences. Additionally, the UB Environmental Research Institute (UB-ERI) was established in 2010 and then in October 2022, UB launched its second institute, the Intercultural Indigenous Language Institute.

On February 16, 2023, the University of Belize, in collaboration with the Anti-Money Laundering and Financial Crimes Institute (AMLFC) launched the UB Institute of Banking and Finance (UB-IBF).

A Message from UB President

Our vision at the university is to establish our very own Institute of Banking and Finance, which will play a strategically important role in ensuring access to local certification programs built on global best practices for all Belizean professionals that require compliance training and certification through key policy and regulatory agencies such as the Financial Intelligence Unit and The Financial Services Commission.

The University of Belize continues to meet its mandate to address issues of national relevance and the economy and finance landscape is critically important to Belize’s growth and development. We take this role seriously and will work diligently with our strategic partners to deliver on our mission as being catalysts for change.

Aims of UB-IBF

The UB-IBF will offer a range of professional development and certification courses to working professionals, regulators, law enforcement personnel, UB students, and others who are seeking a competitive advantage and or maintaining regulatory compliance. It will offer certification courses, workshops, and conferences in the areas of Anti-Money Laundering, Countering the Financing of Terrorism, Fraud Risk Management, Introduction to Equity Finance, How Capital Markets Function, and Securities, etc.

Objectives of UB-IBF

• The UB-IBF will develop and offer courses that will consider the local regulatory framework and the competitive environment. These courses will draw on local expertise with relevant experience and practical knowledge of the Belize financial sector whether within the private sector, enforcement agencies, or government regulators.
• It will incorporate international best practices in the design and delivery of its courses and programs. This element is exemplified through the MOU and partnership agreement signed between UB and AMLFC Institute, which will provide the UB-IBF with a turn-key program in the initial phase i.e. AML certification. The AMLFC Institute-related certifications are recognized globally, thus giving UB-IBF recognition.
• The UB-IBF will advocate and facilitate academic research, programs, conferences, and other activities for the purpose of advancing the fields of Finance, AML, and Fraud Risk Detection, etc.
• It will foster partnerships with local, regional, and international organizations and associations to promote financial awareness, literacy, and education.
• The UB-IBF will be the leading training institution in the field of finance in Belize.
• It will be an integral part of Belize’s financial landscape contributing to the evaluation and implementation of policies, regulations, and best practices.

“The Anti-Money Laundering and Financial Crimes (AMLFC) Institute offers professionals, regulators, law enforcement, undergraduate and graduate students the opportunity to earn certifications in the field of Anti-Money Laundering (AML), Countering the Financing of Terrorism (CFT) and Financial Crimes Prevention (FCP). The Institute also conducts academic research and other activities for the purpose of advancing knowledge in the field of AML/CFT/FCP.”

This certification course provides an overview of Anti-Money Laundering, Countering the Financing of Terrorism and Financial Crimes Prevention. Its curriculum delivers the marketplace individuals with practical knowledge of the field, able to work for the private sector, regulators, enforcement agencies, and governments.

Register HERE

This certification course will discuss the components of a comprehensive and effective risk management program including the elements of deterrence, detection, investigation, and remediation.

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This Regulatory Anti-Money Laundering (AML), Countering the Financing of Terrorism (CFT) & Financial Crimes Prevention (FCP) Certification will provide participants with an understanding of what an effective supervisory and enforcement system comprises at the national level. Effective supervision and enforcement are important components of an effective anti-money laundering, countering financing of terrorism, and financial crimes prevention regime.

Register HERE