The University of Belize made history yesterday when it launched its first Master's degree program. The master's program in Biodiversity Conservation & Sustainable Development is being offered in partnership with the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad & Tobago, the University of Guyana and Anton de Kom Universiteit van Suriname.
It is geared towards building and strengthening capacity in environmental management, biodiversity and sustainable development issues in the region.
President Emeritus and Acting President, Dr. Corinth Morter-Lewis says the program will allow for the internationalization of higher education, and allow UB to become a frontrunner in charting new knowledge frontiers:
Dr. Corinth Morter-Lewis, President Emeritus and Acting President
"It is fitting that this first Master's Degree is in Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Development. Because this small 8,867 square miles of Belizean territory is home to the world's most concentrated, most pristine, most diverse array of natural species of life and biodiversity and it is the largest area of protected flora and fauna, animals and plants and natural environments that can be found anywhere in this hemisphere. As is often said of Belize by professors in the environmental management programs here at UB - Belize is a living laboratory. The students who will be enrolling in this Master's program will engage in field work unrivaled anywhere. I say this Master's Degree is home grown because although it is being offered in collaboration with key partners - our contribution to the development of the program will allow the University of Belize's logo to be featured on the diploma that the students graduating will receive. This will be a first for Belize."
Guest Speaker, Education Minister Patrick Faber congratulated the management, faculty and staff of the national tertiary institution for its historical achievement in developing a graduate program that he says is relevant to meeting the needs of Belize and the region.
Hon. Patrick Faber, Minister of Education
"This is the kind of quality of education that is being demanded by our Ministry and by this nation. We deserve no less. We deserve the best in this country and I am pleased that the University of Belize is at the helm of delivering that high quality education. Then of course I am also pleased because this program that we are starting with is one that is very relevant and I may sound repetitive now because indeed Mr. Satchwell spoke on these issues but this is not the House of Representative when you speak on the adjournment - only one person can speak on that adjournment issue. We can reiterate it, reiterate it, and reiterate it. Proclaim it, proclaim it, proclaim it because it is indeed true and it is worth us boasting about it because it is a wonderful thing that we have been able to start with such a program that is so relevant to our region."
Courses for the program will be offered via online distance learning, however, students from the Caribbean region will have the opportunity to meet and participate in a field course of their choice in either Suriname or Belize. The deadline for submission of application for admissions to the Masters degree is July 8th, 2011.
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