www.ub.edu.bz - University of Belize

www.ub.edu.bz
Emeritus professor of economic s dr. VICTOR BULMER- THOMAS
“The Rise, Decline and Fall of the Belize Economy before Independence” 1800-1980 was the topic of the lecture delivered by Professor Bulmer-Thomas on January 17, at the University of Belize (UB) Jaguar Auditorium, Central
Campus, Belmopan.
Speaking to a packed audience the Professor said “Belize had the
highest average income in the Caribbean from timber products at the
close of the Napoleonic Wars.”
“By the time Belize became a British colony in 1862, this privileged
position was starting to erode due to the decline of the re-export trade
and severe difficulties in the mahogany industry,” declared Professor
Bulmer-Thomas. He explained. “Crown Colony rule did nothing to
reverse this, the efforts to diversify the economy towards agricultural
exports were both too little and too late, and the Belize economy entered a long period of relative decline.
President Corinth Morter-Lewis with Mr. and Mr. and
Mrs. Bulmer-Thomas
The visiting Professor who has been Director of the Royal Institute of International Affairs since April 2001 also
explained that when the Great Depression struck in the 1930s, the material basis of the economy was undermined and
the economy endured a sharp fall. To this end, the Belize Economy in relation to the rest of the Caribbean would not
be reversed until after independence.
Prof. Bulmer Thomas is Emeritus Professor of Economics at the University of London and Honorary Research Fellow
with the University's Institute of Latin American Studies, where he was Director from 1992 to 1998. He is also a Director of the Schroders Emerging Countries Fund. After studying at Oxford, where he gained a 1st class undergraduate degree and a doctorate, he began his career as a Research Fellow in
Economics at Strathclyde University. Prof. Bulmer-Thomas joined the
University of London as Lecturer in Economics at Queen Mary College in 1978, becoming Professor of Economics in 1990.
An Expert in Latin American Affairs, he moved to the Institute of
Latin American Studies in 1992, serving as its
Director for six years. During this time, the Institute - part of the University's School of Advanced Study - grew successfully to its present
position as one of Europe's leading studies institutes, securing the
highest rank in the Research Assessment Exercise. Prof. BulmerThomas has worked as a consultant for the European Commission, the
Attentive audience in the auditorium
US Agency for International Development and the Inter-American
Development Bank, among others. He has also advised a number of multinational corporations.
Prof. Bulmer-Thomas was awarded the OBE in 1998 and holds honors from Brazil and Colombia.
Molding leaders
The Faculty of Management and Social Sciences (FMSS) held an induction ceremony of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon
at the Fort George Radisson Hotel, Belize City. Close to 50 students were inducted into the honour society at the
ceremony. The honorees were selected based on the following criteria:
A registered student, pursuing a Bachelor Degree in FMSS, completion of 30 credits in respective program, and
obtaining a cumulative GPA of 3.5 and above. The ceremony for the achievers was held in December.
2
UB hosts another historic Graduation Ceremony
Speaking to a packed audience of approximately 2,000 persons at the
University of Belize (UB) twelfth commencement exercises, Minister of
Education and Youth Hon. Patrick Faber extended his heartfelt congratulations to the 466 graduates on their success in obtaining degrees in the Associate, Bachelor, Certificate and Diploma programs. He added, “may you go
on to set and achieve new goals for yourselves, your families, your communities and for Belize.”
Of the total number of graduates 324 are females and 142 males representing
70 and 30 per cent respectively of the graduates.
One of the many graduates receiving her diploma.
Diplomats were also present at the ceremony.
The number one Faculty with
the highest number of graduates is the Faculty of Education and Arts
(FEA) with a total of 235, followed by the Faculty of Management & Social Sciences (FMSS) totaling 107, the Faculty of Science and Technology
(FST) 79, and the Faculty of Nursing, Allied Health & Social Work
(FNAHSW) with a total of 45. “Most of the students who graduated have
chosen the path of joining the educational-teaching profession,” remarked
Acting President of the University of Belize and President Emeritus, Dr
Corinth Morter-Lewis, “It is a vivid recognition of the critical role of the
national institution molding leaders to shape the lives of the country’s human resources, our people and future generations, in the continued pursuit
of the national development of Belize.”
“We are indeed pleased at the UB’s efforts to partner with (MOE) in offering a Certificate in Primary Education Programme (Cert-Ed) but even more so in making efforts to reach out to
those communities where access to the UB or to a Junior College was not readily available,” remarked Minister Faber. “UB not only delivered this programme at its various campuses countrywide but it also worked with MOE to run
the programme in Orange Walk and in San Pedro...I congratulate and am grateful to the UB for making the extra effort in this very critical area of need.”
During the ceremony several students received University of Belize’s official
white, gold and purple honour chords. The
tri-cable white honour chords are designed
to honour those graduates with Cum
Laude; gold honour chords designate
graduates with Magna Cum Laude (great
honour); and purple honour chords distinguish graduates with Summa Cum Laude
the highest honour. The total
Congrats Laura Friesen...highest GPA. number of honour graduates is 77.
3.97
to
Graduates as they made their grand entrance.
The theme for the January commencement exercises which was held on 29 January, 2011, at the Central Campus, Belmopan was entitled, “UB The
Premiere National University: Preparing The Way Forward.”
The University of Belize (UB)…Education Empowers A Nation!
3
5
Belize hosts first ever Hicatee Conservation Forum and Workshop
The first Hicatee Conservation Forum and Workshop was held at the University of
Belize, Belmopan Campus through the Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA), in collaboration with the Belize Foundation for Research and Environmental Education
(BFREE), Environmental Research Institute (ERI) at UB and the Belize Fisheries Department.
The purpose was to bring together members of the scientific community, government
officials, NGO’s and civil society to share information regarding the critically endangered hicatee turtle (Dermatemys mawaii). Presentations delivered focused on the
legal framework and status of Hicatee in Belize as well as research being conducted in both Belize and Guatemala.
A hicatee being taken care of.
President of the Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA), Mr. Rick Hudson, shared information regarding the work of his organization to preserve critically endangered species of turtles from all over the world. TSA currently has programs in 15 countries where they assist local governments, NGO’s and civil society to develop and maintain integrated approaches to turtle
conservation including community based environmental education programs, protection of wild species from illegal and
unsustainable poaching, and developing captive breeding programs for eventual release back into the wild to restock wild
populations that had been depleted.
Results of the survey indicated that the population of Hicatee in Belize is clearly headed towards extinction in Belize
unless effective conservation measures are applied. Local population extinctions have already been documented, and current harvesting rates have been determined to be unsustainable. When compared to previous surveys, the most recent survey indicates that overall populations of Hicatee continue to decline across the nation.
Faced with the challenges, stakeholders discussed actions and measures that could be taken to ensure the Hicatee continues to be a part of our Belizean culture and food resource for future generations. They include the formation of a Hicatee
Conservation and Monitoring Network (HCMN) to provide a framework for future sharing of information and the development of conservation actions focusing in the three following areas: science, education and outreach, and legislation and
enforcement. A follow up meeting of the network will be held in first quarter of 2011.
For more information on upcoming meetings of HCMN please contact Dr. Elma Kay of ERI at UB.
Wave Maker Award for UB Student
UB student of the Marine Science Associates Programme, Victor Alamina
received special and public recognition for his sterling commitment and activism in promoting the work of Oceana in Belize.
World renown actor Ted Danson presented the award to Victor in front of a
packed house at the Bliss Center for Performing Arts. The event was also
broadcasted live on Krem TV and Radio in December, 2010.
Mr. Alamina has been instrumental in organizing and inviting Oceana to
Mr. Alamina receiving award.
deliver a public lecture at UB on the issue of oil exploration offshore. His
humility, leadership and organizational skills exemplify the kind of qualities that the University of Belize fosters in its
students. His quest to ensure that his fellow students consider and analyze issues pertinent to national development is
noteworthy.
The President joins the Board of Trustees and the wider university community in uplifting Mr. Alamina, “Wave Maker”!
UB the place you want to be!
6
Sports update
As all other departments in University of Belize the Recreation and Sports Department is also working hard with our
young athletes. Mr. Jones is in Punta Gorda having practices and scouting student athletes for the varsity sports such as
Volleyball , Basketball, Football, Softball, and the Relathon which is coming up soon.
We also have exercise sessions everyday- for example weight training, stretching etc. Interested students can come and
speak with either Mr. Kirk Smith, Darren Bovell, or Mr. Claude Jones if they would like to come in for regular exercise
sessions. There are many table games such as dominoes, checkers, chess, and table tennis which students can get assistance in learning the rules.
There are many sporting events coming up including:
La Ruta Maya River Challenge
La Ruta Maya River Challenge is the biggest canoe race in Belize, and UB, as always,
will be part of it. There will be two teams representing our beloved school at this main
event; Male Canoe Team, and the Environmental Club canoe team. We wish both
teams the best as they represent UB proudly. The members of the Male Canoe Team
are: Elvis Sutherland (Captain), Benedicto Yatz, and Eduardo Barrientos. The
canoe race starts at San Ignacio and ends
at Belcan Bridge, Belize City it spans a
period of four days (March 4-7).
Last year’s male canoe team
Relathon
Last year the females won the 32nd running of the relathon. A total of 27 females and 35 males participated. This year Recreation and Sports Coordinator, Mr. Kirk Smith, is asking students, faculty and staff to come out on
March 27, 2011 and be part of the annual relathon.
Females won the relathon last year.
Basketball Nationals
Our Black Jaguars have also been working hard under the supervision of coach Darren Bovell. The basketball nationals
will be held on March 12, 2011 at St John’s Junior College Gymnasium.
Football Regionals and Nationals
The regional tournament will be held on April 2, 2011 where both of our football ambassador teams (male and female)
will participate. The national competition will be held on April 16, 2011 at Corozal Junior College.
Yes Ub cares...
UB is pleased to announce that 54 full-time
employees and 117 employee dependents have
benefitted from the tuition waiver in 2010.
7
8