A total of 481 graduates received diplomas at the Associate, Bachelor, Certificate and Diploma levels at the University Of Belize Eighteenth Commencement Exercises on Saturday, January 25, 2014, at the University’s Central Campus, Belmopan. Of the total number of graduates 307 were females and 174 males representing 63.8 and 36.2 per cent respectively.
The Award of Academic Excellence in all Bachelor Degree Programs was presented to Nelson Joevanie Amaya, who scored a 3.96 GPA with a Bachelors of Science in Spanish Education.
Nelson Amaya Receiving Award
The Award of Academic Excellence in all Associates Degree Program was presented to Brianni Grace Hyde who achieved the highest overall GPA score of 3.83 in Biology. And, the Award of Academic Excellence in a Certificate/Diploma Program was presented to Trisha Monique Hulse-Silva scoring the highest overall for Certificate/ Diploma with a GPA of 3.95 graduating with a Diploma in Education Methodology. The awards were presented by Chairman of the UB Board of Trustees Mr. Harrison Pilgrim.
Trisha Hulse-Silva Receiving Award
Guest Speaker, President of the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Ms. Kay Menzies in her Keynote Address outlined ten ingredients of success, and also made reference of the clarion call embedded in the mission and vision of UB for its graduates to contribute to the development of Belize.
She said, “After you leave today, and after the graduation parties are over, consider also what your role is in Belize’s development. Yes, you will play a role in Belize’s growth, either directly or indirectly, UB is for all of us, and so is Belize.”
The Acting President of the University of Belize, Dr Wilma Wright, congratulated the graduates for their dedication, commitment and achievement. “I am confident that your education at UB has provided you with the stamina and confidence to succeed and move to the next level,” said the Acting President.
Brianni Hyde Receiving Award
The Faculty with the highest number of graduates is the Faculty of Education and Arts (FEA) totaling 197, Faculty of Management & Social Sciences (FMSS) 174 followed by the Faculty of Science and Technology (FST) 82, and the Faculty of Nursing, Allied Health & Social Work (FNAHSW) with a total of 28.
Invited guests at the event included H.E. the Governor-General, Sir Colville Young and Lady Young, Members of the National Assembly, Ambassadors and officials of the Diplomatic Corps, Chief Executive Officers of the public and private Sectors, Heads of regional and international agencies, and representatives from a cross-section of the wider society.
During the ceremony, several students received University of Belize’s official white, gold and purple honor chords. The tri-cable white honor chords are designed to recognize those graduating with Cum Laude; gold honor chords designate graduates with Magna Cum Laude (great honor); and purple honor chords are for graduates with Summa Cum Laude-the highest honor. A total 57 graduated with honors.
Since its inception on 1st August 2000, there has been close to 7,000 graduates from the University of Belize. The theme for this year’s Commencement Exercises at the University of Belize is entitled: “GET INVOLVED…UB is for all of us.”
The University of Belize…Education Empowers A Nation!
