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Revision as of 10:04, 31 May 2012
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| Motto | Education Empowers A Nation |
|---|---|
| Type | National University |
| Established | August 1, 2000 |
| President | Dr. Cary Fraser |
Academic staff | 400 |
| Undergraduates | about 4,000 |
| Location | , |
| Campus | |
| Colors | Purple & Gold |
| Nickname | UB |
| Mascot | The Black Jaguar |
| Website | www.ub.edu.bz |
 | |
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (January 2012) |
The University of Belize (UB) is an English-speaking multi-locational institute for higher education, and the National University of the Central American country of Belize. The institution offers certificates, Diplomas, Associate Degrees, Bachelor Degrees, and a Graduate Degree. The University's Goals are to meet national needs, encourage sustainable development, increase self sustainability, prepare Belize to meet global challenges and to encourage an international student population.[1] UB's Central Campus is found in Belmopan City where student population is constantly increasing in enrollment. Currently the Central Campus is the site of a clean solar energy project which will help make the University self sustainable and off the grid.
The University's colors are purple and gold; its mascot is the "Black Jaguar" and its motto is "Education Empowers a Nation".
History
The evolution of the Belizean university can be traced over a twenty-three year period beginning in 1977 with the establishment of the Committee for Sixth Form Studies in response to emerging concerns regarding the relevance of existing tertiary education, and ending in the year 2000 with a second attempt to coordinate and rationalize Belizean higher or tertiary education. During this time, the evolution of the Belizean university went through three distinct stages that resulted in the establishment of three distinct institutions: the Belize College of Arts, Sciences and Technology (BELCAST), the University College of Belize (UCB), and the University of Belize (UB).[2]
Previous attempts at National Universities
Belizean nationalists long wished to decolonize the educational system and rely less on foreign academic institutions. In 1979 the ruling People's United Party (PUP) established the Belize College of Arts, Science, and Technology (BELCAST) as a state institution free of church involvement. The government secured funds from the European Economic community for construction, but the campus was never built.On February 24, 1986, it was announced at a meeting of the National Council on Education that BELCAST would be closed.[3] The rival United Democratic Party (UDP) assumed power in December 1984 and later established an alternative college - the University College of Belize on July 1986 - created and maintained by Ferris State College of Big Rapids, Michigan.[4] Nationalists were dismayed that the new University College of Belize would be administered by non-Belizeans. Intense political controversy arose in 1991 when it was discovered that the university had not been properly accredited, calling into question the value of its degrees. A new PUP government severed its agreement with Ferris State College, and the state of Belize assumed full control over the university.[5]
Amalgamation
The University of Belize was established in August 2000 as an amalgamation of five venerable tertiary-level institutions:
- Bliss School of Nursing
- Belize Technical College
- Belize Teachers' College
- University College of Belize
- Belize School of Agriculture.
Except for the last one, all institutions forming UB were located in Belize City; UCB had established a college affiliate in Belmopan.
Campuses
Many of the campuses functional today were once their own individual schools. The government saw the increasing need provide tertiary education to Belizeans and decided merged the various schools. After the amalgamation they became the University of Belize.
UB Central Campus
The main campus with the vast majority of the student population is located in Belmopan City, Belize. There on campus there is the Regional Language Center where students from various Latin American countries learn english. The central campus is also home to the Information Technology Department along with all the science labs.
UB Central Farm Campus
UB Central Farm Campus is located in the Cayo District where the Belize School of Agriculture once was. It offered two year programs in Applied Sciences/Agriculture and Natural Resources. After the amalgamation, it remained almost wholly intact as the Department of Agriculture.
UB West Landivar Campuses
- Management and Social Sciences Campus
- Education and Arts Campus
UB Freetown Campus
UB Punta Gorda Campus[6]
There is also two marine field stations: Hunting Caye and Calabash Caye field station.
The University of Belize in collaboration with San Pedro Junior College offers B.Sc. in Tourism Management.
Admissions Policy
Associate's: High School Diploma (minimum GPA 2.5 and 2.5 or above in English and Math). Four passes in CXC subjects, which must include English and Mathematics. ATLIB English and Math general test pass, or combined score of 890 on the SAT or 18 on the ACT.
Bachelor's: Associate Degree from recognized institutions, scores same as above. Transfer credits allowed for courses graded C+ or higher. Credit transferability is subject to the university's criteria.
Diploma: Bachelor's Degree from a recognized institution.[7]
Divisions of Study
The University has four main faculties with various departments. Each Department offers various degrees from an Associate Degrees (1st Undergraduate Degree) to Bachelor Degree (Undergraduate Degree). The Master Degree (Graduate) program in Biodiversity Conservation & Sustainable Development is being offered in partnership with the University of the West Indies, Saint Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago, the University of Guyana and Anton de Kom University of Suriname.[8]
Education and Arts[9]
- The Regional Language Center
- Department of Arts
- Department of Education
- History & Anthropology Center
Management and Social Sciences[10]
- Department of Business and Accounting
- Department of Social Sciences
Science and Technology[11]
- Department of Agriculture
- Department of Engineering
- Department of Information Technology
- Department of Science
Nursing, Allied Health, and Social Work[12]
- Department of Allied Health
- Department of Nursing
- Department of Social Work
Students are able to get hands-on experience in the field of Biology, Zoology, Marine Biology, Anthropology and Archeology (among others) at the university's field stations.
Environmental Research Institute
The Environmental Research Institute (ERI), the newest department of the University of Belize (UB), was inaugurated in January 2010. The Institute was created primarily to address the large gap in local capacity for research and monitoring that exists within Belize. Belize has a wealth of natural resources, including the longest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere, which supports the country's most important industries, including tourism and agriculture. Recognizing this, the work of the ERI is focused on producing results that are directly relevant and applicable to the sustainable management of Belize's natural resources and building local capacity for this At a finer but equally important scale for Belize's development, the ERI was created as a semi–autonomous department of UB, with transparent and efficient management of projects at its core, in order to provide a much needed mechanism for research within the University.[13]
Presidents
| Presidents of the University | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Person | Years | Person | Years | ||
President Emeritus |
|||||
Athletics
The University of Belize has one of the best semi-professional basketball team known as the "Black Jaguars". They have participated on local and international tournaments during the last years. They have recently won a national title, making it the second one overall.The University of Belize also participates annually on the prestigious Ruta Maya River Challenge which is a four day race. The participants of the Ruta Maya are local and foreign individuals.
The male football team has been dominating the ATLIB tournament over the past years. Apart from dominating the ATLIB tournament the male football team is currently participating in the Mayor's Cup Tournament in Dangriga. Our country over the years have had a lack of talent, since there is not much tournaments in which student can be participating. The ATLIB tournaments makes UB male football team go up to school such as, S.J.C.J.C (Belize City), C.J.C. (Corozal), M.J.C (Orange Walk). I strongly support the idea that not only males should be competing, but also females should also bring out a team.
The University of Belize has a wide range of opportunities for recreation and sport on each campus. Students can contact the Coordinator of Recreation and Sport on the Central Campus or the Coordinators of Student Affairs on the other campuses for details on learning, participating, and competing in university sports. The university organizes intramural activities in:
- Volleyball
- Football
- Softball
- Basketball
- Canoeing
- Karate
- Tennis
- Aerobics[14]
Goals
The goal of the Department of Recreation and Sports is to improve the personal growth of the student body, by promoting good health practices. This is accomplished via the development and administration of sports programs that focus on encouraging and maintaining a physically active lifestyle, through both individual and group activities.
The mission of the University of Belize Recreation and Sports Department is to promote mental and physical health via quality facilities, equipment, and programs that offer a broad range of coordinated activities and instructional classes which compliment the academic environment and fulfill basic human needs such as relaxation, socialization, and having fun.
The Sports and Recreational program is geared to provide wide participation in intramural activities (within the students), extramural activities (among various faculties of the university) and inter-tertiary or varsity sports activities (representing UB as an elite athlete in national and international sporting events).
Sports and Recreation Director Kirk “Shabba” Smith says that a personal goal for the Department is to one day to be on the same level as the NCAA division 1 in all disciplines: Basketball, Softball, Football, Volleyball and Track & Field.
In the academics area, all student athletes graduate and make something of themselves; as far as is possible, the recreation and sports Department tries to funnel student athletes to the USA and other areas abroad to further excel in both their academics and sports. The vision is also to be the top university in the Caribbean and Central American region in sports and academics.
Statistics
| 2012 | Graduates: 405; 272 females and 133 males.[15] |
| 2011 | Graduates: 954.
January Graduates: 465; 323 females and 142 males.[16] June Graduates: 489; 312 females and 177 males.[17] |
| 2010 | Graduates: 736.
January Graduates: 295. June Graduates: UB 348; RLC 40. [18] |
| 2007 | Students: 2,471 (Associate: 1,354; Bachelor: 987; Certificate: 97; Diploma: 1; None: 32);
Programs offered: 48 (Associate: 26; Bachelor: 16; Certificate: 5; Diploma: 1); Faculty and Staff: 300 |
| 2006 | Students: about 4,000 (all undergraduate)
Programs offered: 34 Faculty and Staff: 300 |
Miscellaneous
|
The university has international programs with 45 other institutions.
Housing: Students can live both on and off campus.
The University of Belize, rather than being just an Educated Institution for Tertiary and Bachelors level, has been many students' second home, as many students spend most of their time in School. The University of Belize has many things to offer; first of all it offers wireless internet access to its student body. The University of Belize has been updating its service to the commodity of the students since they now provide online registration and online transactions. It is very beneficial for students since not all are from Belmopan.
The University has taken into consideration that many expenses are incurred when travelling just to register.
The University of Belize also has several buildings that are helpful for students, such as the Jaguar building that has a computer lab and auditorium.
As in many Universities there are pros and cons, and UB is no exception. In comparison to other Universities UB is very cheap and the degree obtained is highly acceptable.
References
- ^ "University's Goals". University of Belize. Retrieved 2012-04-12.
- ^ Aird, Eve (2003). "The Evolution of the Belizean University". University of the West Indies. Retrieved April 04, 2012.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help) - ^ Belize Times, March 5, 1986
- ^ Aird, Eve (2003). "The Evolution of the Belizean University". University of the West Indies. Retrieved April 04, 2012.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help) - ^ "Belize". Global Education Reference, StateUniversity.com. February 2001. Retrieved 2012-04-12.
- ^ "Campus Locations". University of Belize. Retrieved 2012-04-12.
- ^ "Admissions Criteria".
- ^ "UB launch First Masters Program in Biodiversity Conservation & Sustainable Development". Office of Public Information, University of Belize. 09 June 2011. Retrieved 04 April 2012.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=and|date=(help) - ^ "Faculty of Education and Arts". University of Belize.
- ^ "Faculty of Management and Social Science". University of Belize.
- ^ "Faculty of Science and Technology". University of Belize.
- ^ "Faculty of Nursing, Allied Health, and Social Work". University of Belize.
- ^ "About the Environmental Research Institute". University of Belize Environmental Research Institute. 2010. Retrieved 12 April 2012.
- ^ Recreation and Sports
- ^ "Fourteenth Commencement Exercise". University of Belize. 2012-01-27. Retrieved 2012-04-12.
- ^ "Twelfth Commencement Exercise". University of Belize. 2011-01-09. Retrieved 2012-04-12.
- ^ "Thirteenth Commencement Exercise". University of Belize. 2011-06-17. Retrieved 2012-04-12.
- ^ "Eleventh Commencement Exercise". University of Belize. 2010-06-15. Retrieved 2012-04-12.