With earnings of $150 million, it has surpassed BTL as the country's most profitable utility which is why it really shouldn't be news that Belize Electricity Limited today awarded $36,000 in scholarships for 7 students to attend the University of Belize. But for the company's corporate profilers, it's big news and this morning they held a ceremony to celebrate the awardees. 7NEWS was there.
Keith Swift Reporting,
This morning BEL's CEO Lynn Young handed out certificates, which were more like tickets really for 7 students to pursue college degrees at UB. 16-year-old Renita Pop from San Miguel in rural Toledo wants to be a nurse.
Renita Pop, Scholarship Recipient
"I plan to major in the certificate program for nursing at the University of Belize in Belmopan. If it wasn't for this scholarship I guess it would have been very difficult and I would have had to apply for a loan so that I could have been successful."
Keith Swift,
Why did you choose nursing?
Renita Pop,
"Because I see the great demand in my community. I come from the Toledo District, San Miguel, and there, there isn't any facilities available for people and it is very difficult because we the people in the rural villages, we have to travel to town early in the morning so that we can be able to reach the hospital. So there is really a great need for health improvement in our communities."
22-year-old Ulyses Augustine is an English teacher at Belmopan Comprehensive School. He was awarded a scholarship for a bachelor's degree in English education.
Ulyses Augustine, Scholarship Recipient
"I will be studying English education at the University of Belize pursuing my studies as a Bachelor's Degree."
Keith Swift,
You got this scholarship, if you didn't get it, did you would have been able to complete your degree?
Ulyses Augustine,
"It would have taken a longer time to complete the degree. I believe that the assistance being given for the scholarship is very grateful."
Keith Swift,
Why did you choose English education?
Ulyses Augustine,
"I am currently a teacher at Belmopan Comprehensive School so pursuing and giving my students a better opportunity to learn is of foremost importance."
And according to the head of BEL's Corporate Communications Department Dawn Sampson, the program is also important to the company.
Dawn Sampson, Corporate Communications Manager - BEL
"The idea is to select well rounded students because based on our experience, these are the students who are likely to excel. These are the students who are likely to give back to our communities. These are the students who make us proud."
The scholarships are for two year programs.
Close to 60 students applied and only the seven were selected. BEL spends $36,000 annually on the scholarships. The scholarships are for two years so that $36,000 includes payment for students from the previous year. BEL also announced this morning that next year it will offer a four year scholarship for one Belizean to study for a Bachelor's degree in engineering at the Memorial University of Newfoundland. That scholarship will be valued at $40,000 annually.
