UB students gather for first orientation
The University of Belize has evolved from an idea into a legal entity and today it took the first step toward becoming a reality to those who matter most: the students. Jose Sanchez reports.
Amauri Amoa, Student
“It’s a transition, it’s different. The changes are different, because as a UCB student we had different priorities, and different objectives and goals, but now the goals are even higher. The GPA was 3.4 now its 3.5, so it’s making you work harder and it really makes you feel like you’re in a university, rather than in a university college.”
The three-day orientation for the University of Belize at its Faculty of Arts and Sciences on Freetown Road, initiates students into their role as Belize’s first university students. The speeches given today spoke of the need to make education more relevant and how students should use their skills for the development of our country.
Angel Cal, President, University of Belize
“It is our people from this country, this land, this nation, who will make it happen. You in the classroom, you in the fields, in the sporting fields, in the student clubs, and many other student organizations and those of us working with you, in administration, we together have been called upon and have been given this mandate to construct, to build a national university that we can be proud of and one which is not going to whither away.”
Martin Cuellar, Vice President, Student Affairs
“It is our hope that after these orientation days, the new students will have all the knowledge they need to be able to start classes, to be able to get the services we have to offer them. After that, we are sure and confident that their day to day experiences at the university will help them to build upon that and develop an actual UB identity.”
And that identity will only be as vibrant as the new UB students themselves.
Roderick Elijio, Student
“UB is the icing on the cake. We made all the leaps and the jumps all we have to do is make the necessary adjustments and I think we’ll be there along with the rest of the world.”
Trudy Joseph, Student
“I think UB is just another thing. I think people are making this into like, we are flying to Panama. We are still here and the only big difference is that they will have more students to work with. The good thing about it is that you’ll be concentrated with the people who will be doing your major, which is definitely a good thing.”
Errol Aranda, Student
“You know people are afraid of change, but change brings progress. We just have to ask the people to be open minded and be as flexible as we can and we will make it one of the best UB.”
Kirah Leslie, Student
“I think it’s a very good institution. It is allowing us to do a lot. Outside of the classroom we have a lot of extracurricular activities, which will help us to grow, to develop our sense of responsibilities, so I think it’s a very good institution.”
While these students are excited about the changes in Belizean education and attending the country’s first university, some things will still remain the same. Like reading lots of books and enduring many sleepless nights doing homework. Reporting for News Five, I am Jose Sanchez.
Orientation continues through Friday. August twenty-eighth will be the first day of classes.
