Scholarships awarded to U.B. students
With its budget suffering from machete wounds, outside scholarship funds are more important than ever for the University of Belize. Today, as new students received their first taste of campus life, some of that much needed help was delivered.
Jacqueline Woods, Reporting
A total of thirty-six students received scholarships to pursue their education at the University of Belize. Twenty-eight of those scholarships were awarded by U.B. and the U.B. Alumni Association, while Belize Electricity Limited awarded seven. And for the first time, the International Merchant Marine Registry of Belize, IMMARBE, rewarded one student with a two-year scholarship.
Paco Smith, Public Relations Officer, U.B.
“The potential for positive outcomes is only bolster through the involvement of the private sector. We are eternally grateful to these organizations because it shows the common linkage between the education sector and the private sector and I think that it’s very, very important that we do more outreach along these lines because after all the University of Belize is our national university and it belongs to all Belizeans.”
One Belizean who will now be able to pursue her two-year Bachelors Degree Programme in Business Administration is Adelita Nal. Nal, was chosen from several applications sent to IMMARBE
Angelo Mouzouropoulos, Director General, IMMARBE
“We felt that Adelita Nal was really the one who had the greatest need of the two. Very high marks as well and she came across very well at the interview, very soft spoken, intelligent and had clear ideas of what she wanted to do and a very unfortunate background, but with a very brave mother who was bringing up five children on her own.”
The scholarship is worth over seven thousand dollars and Nal, who only found out this afternoon that her name was chosen for the award, says she is more than grateful to IMMARBE for giving her the chance of a lifetime.
Adelita Nal, Scholarship Recipient
“I did not expect it because they told me that there were two applicants and only one would receive it. And I was supposed to be here, present myself and see the outcome.”
“My father abandoned us and so my mother worked hard to get me where I am right now and I do need the scholarship.”
It’s the third year that B.E.L. has rewarded students with U.B. scholarships. Today, seven of a total of forty students who applied, received scholarships.
Neville Samuels, Corporate Communications Mgr., B.E.L.
“We have a as minimum requirement that they must have a three point zero G.P.A. But there is also the criteria where we look at need, as well as they have to write a personal statement saying why they should be given the scholarship and we look very strongly at that as well.”
It’s expected that nine hundred and seventy-seven students will be attending U.B. when classes resume in two weeks time. Jacqueline Woods for News 5.
The scholarships were given out this afternoon during U.B.’s orientation activities for new students.
