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Solar Energy: Tackling Poverty & Climate Change

Construction work at the site of the clean solar energy project at the Central Campus of the University of Belize is in high gear. The project is designed to produce clean energy for Belize using photovoltaic panels. Approximately 2,664 PV Modules that are rated at 180 watts per module will be installed. The project power capacity is estimated at 480 kilo watts, and the power produced will be sent to the Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) distribution grid. The project, funded by the Government of Japan through the Japan International Cooperation Agen-cy (JICA) will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and is scheduled to be complet-ed by August of this year.

UB President, Dr. Cary Fraser (r) touring project

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Ministers of government, representatives of the diplomatic corps, members of the Board of Trustees, the President of the University and other officials were introduced to the scien-tific and research activities, and projects of the University’s Environmental Research Institute (ERI) during a tour on May 12.

Activities at the University’s Calabash Caye Field Station (CCFS) are de-signed to build scientific capacity for the effec-tive management, sustainable use and conser-vation of Belize’s natural resources.

The goals of CCFS are to establish a financially self-sustaining facility which will complement UB’s programs for the man-

agement of Belize’s natural resources.

The visitors were introduced to the various sci-entific and research activities devoted to the exploration, monitoring, and improvement of the marine and terrestrial environment of Belize by the University’s research unit, the ERI.

For example, the research and monitoring of the Turneffe Atoll has resulted in the production of a Status of Ecosystems Report for Turneffe that is being used to inform the development of a management plan for the Atoll. On the terrestrial frontier, our wildlife work in the Central Be-lize Wildlife Corridor has focused monitoring of endangered species.

The delegation included the Minister of Education, Youth and Sports, Hon Patrick Faber, and the Attorney General and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Wilfred Elrington, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Mrs. Imani Fairweather-Morrison, other members; and the President of UB, Dr. Cary Fraser.

Representatives of the international and diplomatic community included the British High Commissioner, and representatives of the Embassies of the United States, the Republic of China (Taiwan), the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, the European Union and the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB).

Calabash Caye: Managing our Natural Resources

An informed delegation

Seeing is believing

Exploring collaboration

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Integration of Technology in the Learning Process

Breast Exam

Technology has been advancing at a fast speed, and the world is using it to communicate with one another instantly. Why not use it to enhance the learning pro-cess? That is what “Students of the Special

Topics Class” of Dr. Aaron Lewis, Assistant Professor of the Fac-ulty of Science and Technology demonstrated in their presentation on the topic: "Integration of Technology in the Teaching/Learning Process.”

The creating of instructional material-- from concept to production was one of the primary objectives by the students. The students also shared their learning and discovery skills in conceptualizing and developing the application of electronic materials

The University of Belize’s NURS 2202 Class, under the guidance of lecturer Ms. Isabel Bennett, conducted the First Breast Exam Campaign on May 8, at the Jaguar Audito-rium. The purpose of the campaign was to raise the awareness level of cancer in males and to coach men on how to conduct a proper breast exam. UB’s FST Lecturer, Mrs. Allison Crawford, a breast cancer survivor shared her intimate experience with the audience. Need-less to say there was not a dry eye in the au-

dience during Mrs. Crawford’s testimony.

Too often men hesitate in obtaining medical exams for various reasons. It is envisioned that through this campaign men will be encouraged to visit a medical professional in the war against cancer.

↑ Presenters ↓

Dr. Aaron Lewis

Cancer warrior Mrs. Crawford Ms. Isabel Bennet

Presentation by Nursing Students

Raising awareness in our students

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Entrepreneurship: Knowledge and ExperienceStudents of the Information Technology (IT) Department of The Faculty of Sci-ence and Technology have realised another milestone in achieving academic excellence through an internship program spearheaded by the IT Department

“Students were engaged in updating computer programs, creating and modi-fying database applications and designing, modifying and installing computer networks.”

IT lecturer Mr. David Garcia said that, “they applied their knowledge obtained in the classroom and utilised their practical experience to successfully complete IT projects in public and private sector companies/organizations across the coun-try.”

UB provides its students with practical experience using cutting edge technol-ogy, which better prepares them for entrepreneurship, and technical workforce.

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Leading by Example

Sharpening Marketing SkillsStudents of the Marketing class of the Faculty of Management and Social Sci-ences (FMSS) showcased their creativity, ability and skills in marketing several unique products at its Marketing Expo at Central Campus, Belmopan. Eight teams marketed different products including wines, pastries, jewelry, crafts and customized products.

Students of the Tourism Marketing class of the Faculty of Management and Social Sciences donated a bus shed at West Landivar Campus, Be-lize City. This bus shed idea was de-

veloped in the classroom at the beginning of the semester and is now a reality marking another chapter in the student’s learning and leadership. The lecturer behind this helpful and creative class is Ms. Eda Arzu. Congrats to the students... we are proud of your achievements

All hands on deck

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Be Informed: Belize – Guatemala Referendum

La Voz Latina VI

Lecturer of History & An-thropology Department, Mr. Cesar Ross and the Belize-Guatemala Rela-tions class of the History Program hosted a Guest lecture on Belize – Gua-temala Referendum on campus, Belmopan. The speaker was the Hon. Senator Godwin Hulse, Minister of Government, who examined issues that led up to the need for a settlement through the judicial process. Issues briefly discussed included the 1859 Treaty between Spain and the United Kingdom, the exchange of notes in 1931 and other significant attempts

to settle the dispute through negotiations.

The Referendum is scheduled for October 3, 2013.

UB hosted “La Latina VI” in the Jaguar Auditorium on May 9 with UB’s very own Gerardo Polanco, Gerardo Aldana, Luis Ek and Eliphaz Santos who captivated the audience with their world class talents. The nationally acclaimed “Maria-chi Los Halcones” were a crowd pleaser with various renditions of popular Latin songs. Daniel Aguirre, the recognized “Rey del Karaoke Latino” paid tribute to all the “mamacitas” in his inimitable style. The featured guest artist was Supa G, the “General” who gave the audience the best of his singing and trademark gyrating.

Kudos to FEA’s Lecturer, Don Amado Chan and class for organizing and hosting the La Voz Latina VI!

Senator Hon. Godwin Hulse

Getting the facts first-hand

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UB Lecturers receive Best Teacher AwardsThree lecturers of the University of Belize (UB) have been recognized and hon-oured as Outstanding Teachers at the tertiary level in Belize, Cayo and Toledo Districts respectively at a ceremony in May hosted by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports.

The awardees are Dr. Bernard Watler and Mrs. Sarita Garcia of the Faculty of Management and Social Sciences (FMSS), and Mr. John Nuñez, Faculty of Education and Arts (FEA).

Clinching the title of School Leader for Pre-primary and prima-ry level in the Cayo District was coordinator of UB Early Child-hood Stimulation Center Mrs. Feliciana Torres.

President of the University of Belize, Dr. Cary Fraser on be-half of Management, Faculty, Staff and

Students extends congratulations to Dr. Watler, Ms. Garcia, Mr. Nuñez, and Mrs. Torres on their outstanding achievements and significant contributions to the University of Belize and the country.

On hand to present the awards at the ceremony of the Outstanding Teachers of the Year and first ever Out-standing School Leaders of the Year Award Program was the Minister of Education, Youth and Sports, Hon. Patrick Faber.

UB, a great place to study!

UB Choir: Joyful SingingThe UB Student Choir honored moth-ers with “A Mother’s Day Concert.” Some of the joyful renditions included The UB Song by Sir Colville Young, What a Wonderful World, God Bless the Child, and The Phantom of The Opera etc. The conductor of this joyful concert was our very own Dr. Leopold Perriot.

The maestro: Dr. PerriotEncore

Mrs. Feliciana Torres

Ms. Sarita Garcia

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Thank You Dr. HoareThe Provost of the University of Belize, Dr. Ismael Hoare has resigned from his current post of Provost and substantive post of Tenured Assistant Professor at the University of Belize, effective May 11, 2012.

During his tenure, Dr. Hoare made significant contri-butions to the development of our national University through his service over 21 years as an Assistant Pro-fessor, Dean of the Faculty of Nursing, Allied Health

and Social Work (FNAHSW), and Provost.

The President, Dr. Cary Fraser on behalf of the Board of Trustees and the entire UB Family, faculty and staff thanked Dr. Hoare for his contributions and service to the country by way of the national tertiary institution, the University of Belize.

Dr. Fraser also expressed his best wishes for Dr. Hoare as he em-barks upon a new stage of his career.

UB Alumni Shines at OZARKS

The Dean of the Faculty of Education and Arts (FEA), Dr. Wilma Wright, will serve as the In-terim Provost, and Assistant Professor, Dr. Priscilla Lopez, will act as the Dean of FEA until a new Provost is appointed.

Paul Morgan Jr., alumni of the University of Belize, is currently preparing to start his PhD, in Biophysics in Zurich, Switzerland - Albert Einstein’s alma mater! He expressed “much appreciation to the Faculty of Sci-ence and Technology at the University of Belize for thoroughly preparing me in the Chemistry and Biology Associates degree program. In particular, Ms. Juliane Pasos, Dr. Joaquin Urbina, Mrs. Allison Crawford, Mr. Jair Valladarez and Dr. Menakath Menon who had been very influential in nurturing my academic development.” He also thanks God, “for my family who have been un-conditional supporters of my scientific curiosities. And I also have a little brother attending UB who is majoring in Mathematics and Chemistry which certainly shows that UB is a part of me and will always be in my heart wherever I am in this world!” Mr. Morgan was the recipient of a substantial grant from the Academic Enrichment Fund at the University of the Ozarks. With the finances, he was able to establish two major research projects of his particular interest. The first was biophysics oriented, which was co-incidentally also a part of his senior Physics thesis. The article which is currently in peer review is entitled "Mutations Induced by Gamma Radiation on the Wild Type Drosophila melanogaster". He ex-plained that “here I examined the relationship between the spontaneous emission of gamma radiation on the imaginal discs cells in the Drosophila fruit fly.

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Cafeteria & Bookstore: Remodeling At last! Was the shared ex-pression echoed by students, faculty and staff as they wit-nessed the commencement of the remodeling of the caf-eteria and bookstore at Cen-tral Campus, Belmopan. It is envisioned that the expanded space of the bookstore will create an improved learning and working environment for students, faculty and staff and

provide more effective services.

Completion of the renovation of the cafeteria and the bookstore is scheduled for August of this year.

The Contractor for the project is Usher Con-struction.

UB Early Childhood Stimulation Center Displays: Exciting

Coming soon...