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UB Ebulletin Volume 3 Issue 2
Table of Content
ERI Gets New Building 3 Paying Tribute to Nursing Legends 4 Life of Dr. Mary Jane Seivwright 5 Protection for the Jaguar – Belize and Panthera Sign Critical Conservation Agreement 6 Free Medical Services 7 The Fascinating World of Dung Beetles 7 UB Lecturers Featured in Caribbean Quarterly Journal 8 Teaching Math... 8 Making Opportunities Visible 9 Students Voice their Concerns 9 Will Our Coral Reefs Be Dissolved Due to Climate Change? 10 Towards a Better Campus 10 Services Available to Students 11 Welcome to the UB Team 13 UB Interim Dean on BBET Board 13 UB Alumnus Jaleel Lino Exceling in US College 14 UB Black Jaguars Advance in ATLIB Football Tournament 14 UB Lady Black Jaguars, ATLIB Basketball Champions 15 Coming Up: UB Annual Relathon 16
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UB Ebulletin Volume 3 Issue 2
ERI Gets New Building UB Environmental Research Institute (ERI) inaugurated their new building which will now house their dry laboratory and conference room on February 20, 2014.
Among those who spoke at the opening ceremony, hosted on the ERI compound, included the ERI Administrative Director, Dr. Leandra Ricketts; Acting UB President and Chair of UB Dr. Wilma Wright ERI's Steering Committee, Dr. Wilma Wright; ERI's Terrestrial Science Director, Dr. Elma Kay; and Dr. Alan Rabinowitz, CEO of Panthera, a non-profit conservation organization devoted to protecting the world's 37 wild cat species. During the ceremony, partners in the construction of the wooden building were recognized with plaques that will be placed on the conference walls to honour their collaboration and generosity. Panthera, Bull Ridge Co. Ltd., Yalbac Ranch and Cattle Cooperation (YRCC), along with Bull Run Overseas Ltd., played an important role in making the building a reality. The mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla) panelling in the conference room came from trees logged in the Chiquibul Forest Reserve, which Bull Ridge Co. Ltd. currently manages under a long-term forest license. The sapodilla (Manikara zapota) forming the exterior panelling and the jobillo (Astronium graveolens) used on one of the conference room walls were harvested, milled
Sen. Hon. Lisel Alamilla along with Dr. Alan Rabinowitz cut the ribbon. and donated by the YRCC which sustainably manages natural forest for production of high quality lumber for domestic use and for exportation. Their production is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), while their Iguana Creek Mill is certified under ESC's chain of custody standards.
After the short ceremony, Sen. Hon. Lisel Alamilla, and Dr. Alan Rabinowitz, were asked to cut the opening ribbon, officially inaugurating the new building. Congratulations, ERI.
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Paying Tribute to Nursing Legends Tributes and accolades were paid to one of the region’s great nurse leaders for her outstanding nursing achievements and exemplary service in the Caribbean region at the first “Nursing Leaders Memorial Lecture Series” held on February 12, 2014 at the Bliss Centre for the Performing Arts, Belize City.
The late Dr. Mary Jane Seivwright of Jamaica, a nursing legend, was a trailblazer in the nursing field who also spearheaded the advancement of nursing education in Jamaica and by extension the wider Caribbean region. Speaking to future nurses was Belize’s distinguished nurse leader Dr. Marjorie Parks who, in her erudite presentation, commemorated the life of Dr. Seivwright as a regional nursing legend. Remarks were also delivered by the Chair of UB Board of Trustees, Harrison Pilgrim, and representing the Acting President of the University, Dr. Wilma Wright, was Dean of the Faculty of Management and Social Sciences Dr. Vincent Palacio, who delivered remarks on Dr. Wright’s behalf. Dr. Majorie Parks
Speaking on the importance of nurses in the country were also nursing students who showcased their pride in being the health caretakers of the country. The next nurse leader to be recognised at the next lecture in the series will be Dr. Marjorie Parks. The “Nursing Leaders Memorial Lecture Series” was organized by the University of Belize in collaboration with the University of the West Indies (U.W.I.) Nurses’ Association of Belize (NAB), the Nurses’ & Midwives Council of Belize (NMCB), and the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH).
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Life of Dr. Mary Jane Seivwright
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New Protection for the Jaguar – Belize and Panthera Sign Critical Conservation Agreement
New strides toward this species lives on a secure future of for the next thirty the jaguar were years and beyond.” made on February 21, 2014 with the Dr. Rabinowitz signing of a critical continued: conservation “This MOU now agreement represents between the Panthera’s sixth Dr. Alan Rabinowitz (l), Sen. Hon. Lisel Alamilla (c), and Dr. Wilma Wright (r) Government of jaguar conservation Belize, Panthera–a agreement with a global wild cat conservation organization– Latin American government, and our team and the Environmental Research Institute will continue to work, country by country, (ERI) of the University of Belize. to build partnerships with all nations [that are] home to the jaguar, connecting and The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries & protecting the entire eighteen-nation mosaic Sustainable Development, the Senator that is the jaguar’s range.” Honorable Lisel Alamilla, lead the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Since 2008, Panthera has also partnered Panthera’s CEO and leading jaguar scientist, with the Ministry of Forestry, Fisheries Dr. Alan Rabinowitz and Acting President of and Sustainable Development; ERI; and the University of Belize, Dr. Wilma Wright. the Belize Audubon Society to implement This trilateral agreement represents a environmental education projects, monitor pledge by all parties to collaboratively jaguar populations and their prey, and implement science-based conservation maintain critical connectivity of these initiatives that secure and connect jaguars populations in and between the Central and and their habitats in Belize and beyond its Southern Belize Corridors which touch the borders, to facilitate land development borders of Mexico and Guatemala. that is both ecologically sustainable and economically profitable, and to mitigate human-jaguar conflict throughout the country. Panthera’s Dr. Alan Rabinowitz explained: “The signing of this historic agreement epitomizes conservation action and partnerships coming full circle. Nearly thirty years ago, I studied the jaguars of Belize, and today we return to the birthplace of jaguar research and conservation to reignite and strengthen the commitment, strategy and resources required to ensure
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Press Release and Jaguar poto courtesy of Panthera
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Free Medical Services
The Faculty of Nursing, Allied Health, and Social Work (FNAHSW), in collaboration with Body and Soul Ministries, provided free medical and eye services to the entire University of Belize community on February 6, 2014. Over 120 patients benefitted from this opportunity. Medical services provided included care for patients with hypertension, diabetes, infections, and pains. Eye screening and prescriptions of glasses were also carried out. Students also assisted the US team in different areas.
The Fascinating World of Dung Beetles
Did you know that dung beetles are great biological indicators? That is what students learned from a lecture delivered by UB lecturer Dr. Latha Thomas on February 26, 2014. Dr. Thomas presented the research she conducted for her doctoral degree.
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Thanks to Body and Soul Ministries, and kudos to the students for their care.
Dr. Thomas also plans to continue her research on dung beetles across the entire country to learn more about dung beetles and their habitats in the role of Belizean agriculture.
This presentation was done as part of the 2014 Colloquia of Faculty of Science and Technology’s (FST) Science Department.
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UB Lecturers Featured in Caribbean Quarterly Journal UB lecturers have been featured in the last volume of the Caribbean Quarterly Journal. English lecturer Ms. Ivory Kelly published a short story entitled “The Kite,” a coming of age story that is set in the early 1980s and addresses some important social and postcolonial themes.
Ms. Ivory Kelly
Nursing lecturer Ms. Isidora Espadas, along with Dr. Marjorie Parks and Laura Tucker Longsworth, co-authored “Harmonising Nursing Education: Theory and Practice.”
Ms. Isidora Espadas
Guest Editor of the journal was Dr. Sharmayne Saunders, member of the UB Board of Trustees.
Caribbean Quarterly is one of the oldest periodicals in the English-speaking Caribbean. Congratulations to our erudite lecturers.
Teaching Math...
One of the goals of the UB Math club is to reach out to the community, and they are doing just that! The Math Club is assisting Standard 6 students from the Garden City Primary School in preparing for the mathematics portion of the Primary School Examination. Members of the club go to the primary school on Mondays and Wednesdays for two hours and tutor the students. The aim of the club is to break the stereotype that “Math is too hard and isn’t fun.” Do you love Math and would you like to join the club? Sign up with a member. They also have a Facebook page, so “like” their page. The club meets every two weeks on Wednesdays at JAB-D4.
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Making Opportunities Visible
The Tenth Annual Opportunities Fair was held in February at Central Campus, Belmopan. At the event were representatives from various organizations including the American and Mexican embassies, banks and credit unions, the Police Force, and the Belize Defense Force who made presentations to the students.
UB clubs were also present at the fair. High School students who attended the event were introduced to the various programs offered at the University.
Students Voice their Concerns
The University of Belize’s Student Government hosted its first General Meeting with the student body and representatives from the various Campuses on February 26 at the UB parking lot in Belmopan. The guest speakers at the event were Dr. Wilma Wright, Acting President of the University, and Mr. William Neal, Dean of Students Affairs. Students were able to voice their concerns and get much needed answers. Another meeting will be scheduled shortly so that students can get updates on their concerns.
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Will Our Coral Reefs Be Dissolved Due to Climate Change? We have all heard about global climate change. Some of us may still be skeptical about it while some of us are strong believers. The reality is that we have seen changes in our weather and climate such as changes in the time of the year fruits bear and when the first rains start; severely hot days; cold fronts in February; and rain spells among many other changes.
As an institution for higher learning, we must update ourselves about new information regarding climate change. Dr. Arlenie Perez-Rogers of the Faculty of Science and Technology (FST) has created a video that summarizes facts of Belize’s tourism and fishing industries and how these may be affected by ocean acidification resulting from climate change. In her video Dr. Arlenie Perez-Rogers summary, Dr. Rogers explains how our daily activities such as driving our cars and using electrical appliances contribute to the amount of carbon dioxide produced and absorbed by the seas and oceans. Carbon dioxide, when combined with water, produces carbonic acid which causes pH in ocean water to decrease, making the oceans and the seas acidic. Today, carbon dioxide concentration [or acidity] is measured at 390 ppm (parts per million). This has caused pH to drop by 0.1 since preindustrial times. This 0.1 drop in pH represents a 30 percent increase in ocean acidity. Scientific studies completed by the World Bank predict that with a 4°C warming or more, by 2100 carbon dioxide concentration will increase at 800 ppm. This will cause pH to drop by another 0.3 (150 percent increase). This represents severe consequences for coral reefs, various marine calcifying organisms and ocean ecosystems. If atmospheric carbon dioxide reaches 450 ppm, coral growth will slow down. If it reaches 550 ppm, reefs are expected to start to dissolve. How will these impact our daily lives and what can we do about it? Learn more from Dr. Roger’s video available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHrQ2shlG4#t=0
Towards a Better Campus UB Beautification project is going strong in their goal of making the campus a better place. In February, the project received a donation of different plants from former Mayor of Belmopan Mr. Anthony Chanona. The team works on campus beautification every Friday. Keep up the beautifying work.
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Dr. Latha Thomas and students beside a recently planted Perfume Tree
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Services Available to Students
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Welcome to the UB Team
Name Kendis Garnett
Position Lab Monitor
Dept./Faculty ICT
Campus Belize City
UB Interim Dean on BBET Board Interim Dean of the Faculty of Education (FEA) and Arts, Dr. Priscilla BrownLopez has been appointed to serve on the Belize Board of Teacher Education (BBET). She is representing the University of Belize, and her appointment is for the entire duration of the Term of Office of the Board–three years. The BBET was first commissioned (and became operational in 2006) and was later legislated in the Education and Training Act of 2010. The current Chair of the Board is Mrs. Alma Eiley.
Congratulations Dr. Lopez
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UB Alumnus Jaleel Lino Exceling in US College UB alumnus and past Black Jaguar Jaleel Lino is demonstrating his volleyball skills at Lehman College in New York. Lehman College is participating in the National Collegiate Athletic Association division 3 competition. In individual statistics, Jaleel Lino is leading in attacks and blocks.
Jaleel as captain of UB Black Jaguars in 2012
Jaleel graduated from the University of Belize with an Associate’s Degree in Biology and is currently pursuing his Bachelor’s Degree in Biology at Lehman College. Jaleel now with Lehman College
Kudos to Jaleel!
UB Black Jaguars Advance in ATLIB Football Tournament
UB Black Jaguars were victorious in the first leg of the ATLIB football competition against Sacred Heart Junior College in San Ignacio on February 23, 2014. The UB Lady Black Jaguars and the UB Black Jaguars both won by a score of 3 to 0. UB also defeated Galen by default. Sacred Heart Junior College will visit UB for the second leg of competition on March 11, 2014 at our Central Campus starting at 2:00 p.m. UB is then scheduled to host Galen on March 21, at 3:00 p.m. The male team is also particpating in the First Division tournament in which they lost their first game to San Martin FC on February 22, 2014.
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UB Lady Black Jaguars, ATLIB Basketball Champions
The ATLIB Basketball nationals was held on Friday, February 21, and our Black Jaguars represented the University after qualifying in the Regionals.
UB Lady Black Jaguars first faced Belize Adventist Junior College and secured a win. The championship game was between UB Lady Black Jaguars and Stann Creek Ecumenical Junior College (SCEJC). Our team subdued SCEJC and became the new ATLIB champions. Meanwhile, the males defeated Wesley Junior College in their first game but unfortunately lost to Galen University in the final game of the day. UB Black Jaguars earned second place in the tournament.
Congratulations to our athletes for representing the university well.
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Coming Up: UB Annual Relathon
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