UB Ebulletin Volume 3 Issue 8
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UB Ebulletin Volume 3 Issue 8
Table of Content
Growth, Competitiveness and the Energy Revolution in Belize 3
Academics - Innovative Learning Methods Science is Fun 4 Building With Macaroni 4 Encouraging Entrepreneurs 6 Students Showcase Marketing Skills 7 Qualified Teachers 8 What do you want to be? 8 Women in Literature 9 Business-ready Students 9 Student Engagement – Learning Outside the Classroom Garifuna Memorial Mass 10 Dr. Iyo Meets with Students 10 UB Observes GIS Day 11 UB Library Shares With Children 11 Diabetes: Raising Awareness 12 RLC Variety Show 12 Personality of the Month – The Artist in Our Midst! 13 Celebrating Cultures 13 Lady Black Jaguars: Basketball Champs 14 Día de Teatro 14 Black Jaguars Shine in Football 14 Pharmacy Club: Relaunched 14 UB Black Jaguars in Semi-Finals 15 Research – Supporting Sustainable Development Researching on Sea Cucumbers 15 UB Joins With Water Researchers 16 UB a proud participant of the Special Olympics Torch Run 16 www.ub.edu.bz
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Growth, Competitiveness and the Energy Revolution in Belize T he University of Belize in collaboration with the Government of Belize and The Caribbean Development Bank hosted a special presentation by Dr. William Warren Smith, President of the Caribbean Development Bank on “Growth, Competitiveness and the Energy Revolution in Belize�. The event was held on November 20th at 7:00 pm at the Bliss Center for the Performing Arts.
CDB President Dr. William Warren delivering his presentation
This presentation provided an opportunity for Dr. Smith to share his perspective on an agenda for economic growth for Belize. Dr. Smith who has a doctorate in Resource Economics and Public Policy, commented that Belize faced the future with a wealth of natural and physical resources upon which prosperity and security can be built. His presentation continued UB President Alan Slusher thanked to outline recommendations for Belize to achieve Dr. Smith. sustainable growth; key actions for developing a resilient and diversified economy; climate proofing key economic and social infrastructure and industry and creating revolution in the energy sector. He concluded his presentation by expounding on the role of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and its commitment to continuing to assist Belize in its development efforts. The session concluded with an open plenary where Dr. Smith fielded queries from those in attendance. The session was open to the general public and it saw the attendance of students from the high school and sixth form level as well as many prominent professionals in the field. (L-R) UB President-Mr. Alan Slusher, Minister, Ministry of Energy, Science & Technology, and Public Utilities (MESTPU)Sen. Hon. Joy Grant, CDB President - Dr. William Smith, CEO, Ministry of Finance and Economic Development - H.E. Yvonne Hyde, Chairman, UB Board of Trustees - Mr. Harrisson Pilgrim, and CEO, MESTPU - Dr. Colin Young
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Academics - Innovative Learning Methods
Science is Fun T
he Science Department of the Faculty of Science and Technology (FST) hosted its first Science Open Day and Expo. With the aim of promoting science education the Open Day and Expo featured information booths on the different disciplines of science including math, biology, engineering, and natural resources management. The event had the participation of many leading organizations and they each shared information about the importance of science to their fields.
Chair of the Science Department, Cecy Castillo, delivering her remarks.
“The purpose of science education is… to prepare future generations in forging a sustainable way of life.” - Dr Pio Saqui, Interim Dean of FST
Visitors were able to participate in live demonstrations and hands on This main objective of this Science Expo experiments that were conducted is to make the students think critically by the FST students themselves.
by asking “What? Why? Where? When? Dr. Thippi Thiagarajan
Building With Macaroni T he Engineering Department, Internal Structural Macaroni Competition was held on November 6th and 7th , 2014. Seven teams comprised of four persons each, participated in the competition. The participants were students from Structures (CIVL2502) and Mechanical Engineering Science (MECH2502) courses. At the end of the competition, the team from the Structures class was victorious.
Congratulations The winning team with their sturdy macaroni bridge to Keanu Chaplin, James Parham, Ormando Seguro and Carlos Echeverria who formed the winning team.
Testing the models.
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The winning team will have the opportunity to represent UB in the Annual Structural Competition at the Instituto Tecnologico de Chetumal, in Quintana Roo, Mexico.
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Encouraging Entrepreneurs
Warren Garbutt, Maria Villanueva, Ashanti Garcia, and Mervin Budram at the head table.
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Motivate, Encourage, Nurture, Unlock” was the theme for this year’s Entrepreneurship Symposium hosted by the University of Belize in collaboration with the US Embassy, and BELTRAIDE. The Symposium was held on November 17th, 2014 at the UB Jaguar Auditorium.
UB President, Mr. Alan Slusher
UB President, Mr. Alan Slusher, gave the welcoming remarks while Ms. Christine Smith, Director of Belize Training and Employment Centre (BTEC), presented the keynote address. Arturo Montero of Tropical Enterprise spoke to students on his transition from employee to employer. Established and emerging entrepreneurs were invited to speak on their experiences in an effort to encourage students to explore the benefits of owning their own business. Entrepreneurs present included: Mervin Budram-TAS BELIZE; Ashanti Garcia – Airbender Yoga Studio; Maria Villanueva – Marvilleous Dipping Sauces; Warren Garbutt- Sunny Side Tours.
BTEC Director, Ms. Christine Smith
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Belizean artist Melonie Gillet contributed to the discussion with her presentation entitled “Turning Talent into a Business.” It focused on recognizing the potential for the arts to be used as enterprise. Belizean Artist Melonie Gillet
UB Ebulletin Volume 3 Issue 8
Students Showcase Marketing Skills T
he Faculty of Management and Social Sciences (FMSS) held its Annual Marketing Expo on Tuesday, 18th November, 2014.
The Ramada, Princess and Hotel Casino was the venue for the Expo in Belize City and the Central Campus hosted the students in Belmopan. Both Expos aimed to help students gain real-life experience in creating and marketing a product. The Expo provided the platform for their products to be tested and sold to the general public and be evaluated by experts in the field. On Friday November 21st, the Small Business Class made presentations on business plans they created for new and existing business ventures. The presentations allowed students to get practical experience and apply the concepts to real life scenarios. Students presented their plans and were also evaluated by a panel.
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Qualified Teachers S
Melanie Calles taught at Kuxlin Ha in Maya Mopan village, Belmopan
tudents enrolled in the primary education programme in the Faculty of Education and Arts (FEA) are required to complete a onesemester internship. In keeping with the University’s mandate to produce students with expertise that meet the national needs the internship component is an integral part of the process of teacher training. It is designed to provide students with the very critical practical skills required to be effective educators by giving them in-classroom practise.
Gudiel Melgar taught at Our Lady of Gudalupe in Belmopan
Teachers at St. Martin Government School in San Martin Village, Belmopan
This semester 230 students completed their teaching internship across the country. Congratulations educators!
What do you want to be? W ith the aim of giving children ideas for future careers, students of the Faculty of Education and Arts held their bi-annual community outreach symposiums. The symposiums were held at different institutions in Belmopan i.e. Garden City Primary School, Our Lady of Guadalupe R.C. Primary School, Kuxlin Ha and at George Price Centre for Peace and Development.
Kudos to the students and lecturer Dr. Thomasine Baker. www.ub.edu.bz
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Women in Literature S
tudents from the Women in Literature class of the Faculty of Education and Arts (FEA) under the guidance of lecturer Amado Chan hosted the Tenth Annual Women’s Conference on November 12th, 2014. The guest speaker was Dr. Wilma Wright, Interim Provost, who spoke on the importance of celebrating women in Literature.
Interim Provost Dr. Wilma Wright
The audience was delighted with the various presentations featured. There were short stories, poems, and songs. Presenters included Isabel Lanza, Olivette Ramos, Joanna MagaĂąa, Jacklyn Burns, Virginia Hampton, Felene M. Cayetano, Ivory Kelly, Lucille Mendez, Donna Neal, Ginelle Nembhard, and Alida Sharp.
Business-ready Students
Students enrolled in the Bachelor Degrees of Accounting and Management completed their internship where they applied the knowledge they had gained during the course of their study. Samantha Moro did her internship at UB.
Congratulations students!
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Student Engagement – Learning Outside the Classroom
Garifuna Memorial Mass A
culturally enriching Garifuna mass was held on November 12th, in honor of the recently deceased national icon Paul Nabor. Nabor, a beloved Parandero, recently died on October 22, 2014. The memorial mass was the first of its kind to be held at the University of Belize. It was organized by the Association of Student Government in an effort to encourage appreciation for the cultural diversity among the student population. President of the Belmopan Student Government, Eric Sanchez explained: “…it is a multi-cultural institution and we need to celebrate culture, we need to take in culture and we need to believe in our own culture. It’s like the Garifuna theme says: ‘Let’s not just talk, let the work progress. God before us and we behind him. We believe we need to take a stand in terms of our cultural diversity and just celebrate culture. It is a diverse unique thing and at the University of Belize that is what we believe in.” Many students appreciated the opportunity to have a new experience and took time out to attend the Mass. They danced to the sounds of Nuru and were treated to a taste of Sahu a favored cassava porridge drink of the Garinagu.
Dr. Iyo Meets with Students I
nterim Dean for the Faculty of Education and Arts (FEA) Dr. Joseph Iyo took time out to meet with the most important persons in his faculty - the students. He held meetings in the different campuses where he addressed students about the importance of evaluating their courses. The meetings afforded students the opportunity to learn about the evaluation process and how the information they provide help administration to improve the academic quality of their Faculty. Students took the opportunity to voice their concerns. The Dean and his team assured the students that their concerns will be duly weighed and will be addressed through appropriate means.
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UB Observes GIS Day T he University of Belize participated in the Third Annual World GIS (Geographic Information System) Day Expo in Belize City held on November 12, 2014. The event was hosted by Total Business Solutions Limited, and showcased exhibitions from various individuals and organizations.
The objective of the Expo was to educate participants on the increasing role of GIS technology in modern society. Participants were treated to informative presentations on GIS technology and equipment and the potential applications for everyday use as well as the growing number of careers that now use geospatial technology. The University of Belize showcased its mid-semester Story Map Projects, as well as images and videos captured of the UB Campus during the July drone flight. GIS Lecturer Antonio Cano also facilitated a workshop on November 18, where interested persons had the opportunity to learn about the basics of GIS.
UB Library Shares With Children T he University of Belize Library held another successful Toy Drive that brought smiles to the faces of forty students of the Kuxlin Ha Primary School in Belmopan. The students, who were selected by their teachers and principal as the recipients of this year’s Toy Drive, visited the Central Campus Library, where they were treated to lunch and a special gift handed out to them by Santa Claus himself!
The annual Toy Drive, which is conducted by the University of Belize Library, was a successful effort through the collaboration of faculty, staff and students. The library would like to take this opportunity to thank all members of the community who contributed to this great cause. Happy Children with their gifts.
Collectively, We Succeed!
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Diabetes: Raising Awareness S
tudents from the Faculty of Nursing, Allied Health, and Social Work (FNAHSW) commemorated Diabetes Day on Thursday November 13th, 2014. The focus of this year’s activities was to inform students about the disease and to raise awareness of the need to live a healthy lifestyle that reduces the risk of developing diabetes. A fair was held where FNAHSW students informed their peers about preventative measures and treatment of the disease. At the fair several services were provided free of cost. These included: glucose testing, diabetic medication counseling, body fat analysis, HIV testing, and foot care information.
RLC Variety Show E
very year the Regional Language Centre holds a variety show where students enrolled in the English as a Second Language Programme showcase what they have learned in a fun way. After the show they proceeded to exchange gifts in the traditional KK.
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Personality of the Month – The Artist in Our Midst! T he drawings that adorn the Scarlet Macaw, Jabiru Stork, Coatimundi and Hummingbird buildings are a integral part of the University aura. What most may not know is that one of UB’s students dedicated his time and enegy to create the beautiful artwork. His name is Salvadore Mesh and he is enrolled in the Natural Resource Management (NRM) Program.
Salvador started painting around 2009 and describes himslef as an artist with a preference for pencil drawings. With no professional training in painting he volunteered to renovate the paintings on the buildings as his contribution to the campus beautification project. He graduates this semester with a Bachelor ‘s Degree in Natural Resource Management. We thank him for his contribution and take this opportunity to wish him all the best in his future endeavors! We also make an appeal to our students who may have such hidden talents to volunteer to help make UB a beautiful place. TOGETHER WE CAN DO IT!
Celebrating Cultures
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Lady Black Jaguars: Basketball Champs
Black Jaguars Shine in Football
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ur Black Jaguars have been competing in the First Division Football Competition, and are now at the Semi Finals. They have played the first leg of the of the semi-finals against San Martin F.C. and tied 1-1. Asrel Sutherland scored for the Black Jaguars.
Día de Teatro
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Pharmacy Club: Relaunched
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he Pharmacy Club was relaunched in November. The mission of the club is “Working together in preparation to serve the nation in the field of pharmacy.”
tudents from the Advanced Spanish classes performed several Spanish Judith Lopez is the President of the Club. dramas on December 11, 2014.
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UB Black Jaguars in Semi-Finals O ur Black Jaguars have been competing in the First Division Football Competition, and are now at the Semi Finals. They have played the first leg of the of the semifinals against San Martin F.C. and tied 1-1. Asrel Sutherland scored for the Black Jaguars.
if they are victorious in the second leg of the game they will move on the compete for the Championship.
Research – Supporting Sustainable Development
Researching on Sea Cucumbers T he Faculty of Science and Technology (FST) colloquial series showcased the research of Dr. Arlenie Rogers on the Sea Cucumber Fishery in Belize on November 26, 2014. Dr. Rogers presented findings of two of her studies on the Socioeconomics of the Fishery and Density, Abundance and Distribution of the species fished in Belize. She also encouraged students to volunteer to learn from her current research on the Reproductive Cycle of Holothuria Mexicana.
Dr. Rogers is an Assistant Professor in the Science Department and Marine Research Fellow at the University of Belize’s Environmental Research Institute (ERI). Dr. Rogers has been studying Sea Cucumbers in Belize since 2011. She works in close collaboration with the Belize Fisheries Department and Sea Cucumber fishermen in Belize. Her research findings aim to guide management of the Sea Cucumber fishery.
A sea cucumber
Dr. Rogers took time to acknowledge the University’s commitment to supporting research efforts. She noted the support of Environmental Research Institute (ERI) who with funding from the Oak Foundation awarded her the research fellowship. She was also very appreciative of the time granted by the Science Department to do research.
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UB Joins With Water Researchers L ecturers from the Faculty of Science and Technology (FST) attended the International ReunionSeminar for Researchers in Water. This Reunion-Seminar was hosted by RISAF member, the Centre for Research and Higher Education in Social Anthropology (CIESAS) at San Cristobal de Las Casas, Chiapas, Mexico during December 2-4, 2014.
(L-R) Joaquin Magaña, Jair Valladarez, and Josue Ake from the NRM Program
The Natural Resource Management and Marine Biology Program Lecturers, Mr. Joaquin Magaña, Mr. Josue Aké, and Mr. Jair Valladarez, represented the University of Belize. UB took the opportunity to actively participate, representing Belize’s research on promoting national research in water resources and trans-boundry watersheds in collaboration with research centres in southern Mexico and neighbouring Central American countries (Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras).
The RISAF is a regional network for researchers that promote research on water on the Mexico-Guatemala-Belize border to influence public policy. It also aims to coordinate efforts and building bi or tri-national research, in the six trans-boundary watersheds that the three countries share.
UB a proud participant of the Special Olympics Torch Run
the Special Olympics Belize (SOBz), an affiliate of Special Olympics International (SOI) along with the Belize Police Department conducted a Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) on Friday December 5, 2014 through the City of Belmopan. The LETR, is an event where the “Flame of Hope” is taken from one point to another by Law enforcement and members of SOBz. Chief of Security at UB and Captain (Retd.) Jerome Ellis, received and carried the torch through the University campus.
This year the national games associated with this torch run were held in Belmopan on on the same day at the Governor General Field. The games provide sporting Mr. Ellis proudly carrying the torch activities and competition in a variety of Olympic type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities living in Belize. www.ub.edu.bz