President’s Update – February 8, 2018


President Congratulates the Regional UWI on its 70th Anniversary

Governor General of Belize Sir Colville Young, Chairman of UB Board of Trustees Mr. Harrison Pilgrim and Professor Emeritus Clement Sankat attended a Thanksgiving Service, on Sunday January 28, 2018, at the Lake Independence Baptist Church, Belize City in commemoration of University of the West Indies’ 70th anniversary. This event was hosted by the UWI Open Campus, Belize City.

Professor Emeritus Clement Sankat congratulated the University of West Indies, “A light rising from the West”, for their contribution to the high level human resource development of the Caribbean region during these seventy years and wished this Institution the best for its next 70-year journey.

Meeting with University representatives from North Georgia (UNG)

Professor Sankat; Mr. Deryck Satchwell, member of UB Board of Trustees; and Vice President Dr. Mariot Simon met with Dr. Carly Womack-Wynne from University of North Georgia (UNG) on February 2, 2018. UB and UNG are both COBEC (Consortium for Belize Educational Cooperation) members. The meeting was to discuss matters on building quality in higher education at UB and in Belize. There is much hope for a fruitful collaboration between these two COBEC Universities.

Solar LED lights installed at UB Belmopan Campus

On Saturday, February 3, 2018, Professor Emeritus President Sankat joined members of the Physical Plant Department to install Solar LED light fixtures on the Belmopan Campus. 16 fixtures were installed along the walkway between the Administration Building Junction and the UB Book Store. These light fixtures are energy efficient with a feature that utilizes 25% of its energy which increases to 100% when there is movement in close proximity to the poles, giving higher lighting intensity. 36 more lights are scheduled to be installed within the next few weeks, as we step up the lighting on the campus to enhance faculty, staff and student security.

More information on the LED lights can be found here.

President Meets with Co-Chair of COBEC

President Sankat met with Dr. Emilia Hodge, Co-Chair of COBEC, and staff member of the University of Florida, on February 5, 2018. UB had a booth at the Tertiary Options and Opportunities (TOO) fair held at the Saint Catherine Academy Multi-Purpose Auditorium in Belize City on January 31 and President Sankat attended the opening of COBEC Winter Conference held at the Best Western Belize Biltmore Plaza. President Sankat congratulated COBEC on its 30th Anniversary. He also took the opportunity to congratulate Assistant Provost Dr. Cynthia Thompson, who received a recognition award from COBEC as a founding officer of COBEC. The President assured Dr. Hodge of UB’s desire to engage with COBEC Member Institutions to create winning partnerships that support our development.

Professor Emeritus Clement Sankat, Dr. Cynthia Thompson, Dr. Emilia Hodge and Dr. Mariot Simon

Grand Valley State University visits UB

On February 6, 2018 Professor Emeritus Clement Sankat accompanied by Vice President Dr. Mariot Simon, and Mr. Ewart Robateau met with a delegation from the College of Health Professions, Grand Valley State University, United States. The delegation comprised of Julie Hall, Assistant Dean; Dr. Azizur Molla, Associate Professor in the Department of Public Health; Chad Sutliffe, Allied Health Sciences Department Chair; Dr. Gianne Smith – Director of Social Work; and Rebecca Hambleton, Director of Study Abroad and International Partnerships. The meeting focused on partnering in Health Education, Sciences and Social Work. The visiting team met with leaders from our various faculties.

Polycom Installation competed in Belize City. Video Conferencing possible between Belmopan, Belize City and the world

The President is pleased to advise that the Polycom equipment is now fully installed at the Faculty of Management and Social Sciences (FMSS), Belize City Campus in the Doctoral Room. This equipment will facilitate live Video Conferencing between Belize City, Belmopan, and in fact the world. It has built in features to enhance video and audio quality thereby providing a better conferencing experience. Use of the equipment is under the control of Dr. Bernard Watler – Dean of FMSS and ICT in Belize City.

Let’s Build UB Together