UB Marks 25 Years with Countrywide Celebrations

The University of Belize is hitting a major milestone, twenty-five years of service to the nation. And this celebration isn’t staying put, they’re taking it on the road, stopping at campuses across the country to shine a spotlight on the people who’ve helped build UB into what it is today. On Thursday, the spotlight was on the Toledo campus, where UB unveiled some exciting new additions, a Digital Connect Center and a brand-new conference hall. They also took time to honor outstanding staff members who’ve gone above and beyond. News Five’s Paul Lopez brings us the story.

 

Paul Lopez, Reporting

The University of Belize, the only national tertiary institution in the country, is celebrating twenty-five years of service to the nation. To mark this silver anniversary, the university hosted a special ceremony on Thursday in Punta Gorda Town. It was a day to reflect on UB’s journey as the country’s only national tertiary institution and to look ahead at what’s next for higher education in Belize.

 

Dr. Vincent Palacio, President, University of Belize.

“It is a joy to here in PG this morning as we celebrate the twenty-fifth anniversary of the University of Belize. We gather to honor the work, the people, and the progress that has shaped this institution and that has shaped this campus.”

 

UB President, Doctor Vincent Palacio says the celebrations were held at the Toledo UB Campus to recognize its contributions to tertiary education access in southern Belize.

 

Dr. Vincent Palacio

“Today we acknowledge two major milestones for this campus, first the naming of the Stanley Nicholas Conference Hall. I happen to be in that place, the Stanley Nicholas Conference Hall. Second, we officially open the digital connect center. In today’s world digital access is essential. This center will empower our students and community members with the tools and training needed to succeed. For this we are grateful for our partnership with UNDP and the Ministry of E-Governance.”

 

Director of E-Governance, Doctor Adriana Coleman, was on hand for the official launch of the Toledo Campus digital access center. She says the center will serve as a hub for innovation, research and hands-on learning.

 

Dr. Adriani Coleman, Director, Ministry of E-Governance

“It will empower students to explore careers in software development, data science and digital entrepreneurship, just that one building. It will also foster collaboration with industry leaders and government agencies ensuring that our academic programs remain relevant and responsive to national and global trends.”

 

In his remarks, Toledo East Area Representative, Dr. Osmond Martinez, highlighted alarming statistics where poverty and digital access are concerned for residents in Toledo.

 

Dr. Osmond Martinez, Area Rep., Toledo East

“Of the total population that was deprived from access to a digital device came right from the Toledo district. This means this deprivation was most prevalent among the most poorest people in Belize. We also look at the geographical components of the MPI and Toledo recorded the highest percentage of multidimensional poor persons, at fifty-seven point seven percent. That is real data, not political data.”

 

It was a day of recognition and new beginnings at the University of Belize. Several dedicated staff members were honored with awards for their outstanding contributions to education. But that wasn’t all, UB also cut the ribbon on two major additions,  a state-of-the-art digital center and the brand-new Stanley Nicholas Conference Hall. The hall pays tribute to Nicholas’s instrumental role in establishing and growing the UB Toledo Campus, making this celebration as much about the future as it is about the past.

 

Stanley Nicholas, Former Lecturer, University of Belize

“This event would not have happened if stories were not told. People must have been saying that something was happening and maybe we should honor this individual with this ceremony today. So, when things get difficult we can fall back on the symbols, the stories of the institution and that will help to bring us together. That simple symbolism has brought us together. So, thank you for participating in this event and I am greatly honored to be considered for the naming of this conference hall.”

 

Similar ceremonies have been held at campuses across the country where outstanding staff members have been recognized for their stellar contributions. Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.