BDF and Coast Guard Team Up with Galen for Academic Boost

It was a proud and promising day for Belize’s security forces. The Belize Defense Force and the Belize Coast Guard have officially signed a groundbreaking Memorandum of Understanding with Galen University. This historic partnership opens the door for soldiers and coast guard officers to grow both professionally and academically, through research, training, internships, and knowledge exchange. It’s a major step forward in building stronger, smarter forces, while also creating exciting opportunities for Galen’s students and faculty. Here’s a closer look at this inspiring new collaboration.

 

Brigadier General Azariel Loria, Commander, B.D.F.

“We have  realized that just professional military education is insufficient for the work that we do. We started to see how we could partner with the prestigious university where I recognize a university such as Galen University and a top university in Belize. And here we’re today. We had a discussions going on for a number of months now until we reach the pinnacle, which is today where we have been offered to partner and collaborate with Yale University. They will provide us with some scholarships. Not all will be scholarships, of course. And we are in the process of, modernizing our promotional criteria, which will now encompass from high school diplomas to undergraduate and graduate levels.”

 

Captain Gregory Soberanis, Vice Commandant, Belize Coast Guard

“There are three key areas really we are looking at career advancement skill development, and also enhanced performance. As you know, a program such as this one with, in collaboration with Galen will definitely have our sailors advance as relates to their professional military education which can lead to promotions as relates to skill development. Programs such as these that elevates your critical thinking skills, elevates your communication skills. And so it really provides an avenue for our sailors to grow and develop in a way that extends beyond just the military education. Both professional education from our local institutions here in Belize. And then of course you enhance their overall skill as it relates to decision making critical thinking problem solving, that type of thing.”